Chapter 162
Latham shot Wade a cold look, his eyes sharp enough to make anyone nervous. “Keep your mouth shut. Don’t say anything stupid p>
The warning sent a chill straight down Wade’s spine. He looked like he wanted to argue, but before he could get a word out, Dorothea came out of the room.
“Dorothea, you’re quick!” Wade tried to recover, forcing a smile.
Dorothea paused, a little caught off guard, just in time to see Latham jab his elbow into Wade’s chest. Wade let out a low grunt and instantly fell silent.
“It’s nothing. Let’s head inside,” Latham said.
Inside the private room, people sat around in small groups. Some were drinking, others were playing cards, laughter mixing with the clinking of glasses. Dorothea spotted Scott among them. If Scott was here, these really must be Latham’s close friends.
“Hey, Latham, you finally made it. You’re not easy to pin down these days,” someone called out.
Latham slipped his arm around Dorothea and walked over, completely unfazed. One of the guys playing cards stood up and offered him a seat without a second thought.
With a gentle press on her shoulder, Latham motioned for Dorothea to sit down. Then he glanced around at the guys. “Would you mind putting out your cigarettes p>
The men looked at each other, a little surprised. “Why’s that p>
Latham answered with a straight face. “My wife and I are planning for a baby. She can’t handle the smoke p>
The table went silent. Planning for a baby and they hadn’t even had the wedding yet?
Everyone here knew that Latham’s reputation for being into men was just an act. Right now, though, they almost wished it was real. He was showing off way too much.
Still, the guys put out their cigarettes, not daring to argue.
Dorothea’s cheeks burned, embarrassment creeping up her neck. Latham, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease. He bent down so close that his breath tickled her ear. “You play. If you lose, I’ll take the blame. If you win, it’s all yours p>
Pearson and Scott sat off to the side, watching. Pearson grinned. “Looks like Latham’s actually serious this time p>
Scott just shrugged. “They’re married now. Of course he is p>
No one teased, but Dorothea felt awkward and a little out of place. “I… I don’t really know how to play p>
“It’s fine, Dorothea. Latham already said he’ll cover you if you lose. Just play however you like!” someone joked.
With no way out, Dorothea picked up
the cards. As she turned her head,
she didn’t realize how close Latham was, and the corner of her lips brushed his cheek. Her hear skipped a beat for no reason at all.
Trying to cover her fluster, Dorothea cleared her throat. “Which card should I play p>
Latham rested one hand on the back of her chair, practically wrapping her in his arms from behind. With his other hand, he tapped a card lightly. “Play this one p>
Dorothea did as he said.
They played like that for about an hour, Latham guiding her through every move. Eventually, one of the guys threw down his cards in defeat.
“I’m done. Dorothea’s got beginner’s luck. You two should just play by yourselves p>
Latham grinned, flipping both their phones over so the matching cases were on display and tapping the table with his knuckles. “What’s wrong, Harris? Can’t handle losing p>
“Whatever. My wife’s a fast learner. Even without my help, she can beat you guys! Harris shot back, though he looked a little bitter-especially when he noticed the couple’s matching phone cases Lather was showing off on purpose.
Dorothea gave Latham a quick shake of her head, her eyes pleading. She definitely
hadn’t asked for this.
How was she supposed to win? With her feet?
But honestly, beginners always got a
bit of luck on their side. Dorothea
glanced at the growing pile of calorful chips in front of and smiled apologetically. “Maybe we should stop. I think I’ve won O enough p>
She really had, way more than she expected.
“Alright,” Latham said with a lazy grin, spreading out the chips and counting them. “Time to cash in, guys. My wife says she doesn’t want to take all your money, so she’s done for the night p>
The others groaned under their breath, but none of them tried to back out of paying.
Meanwhile, across the hall in another private room, Albert’s group was gathered.
“Albert, I heard Latham and his friends are right across from us p>
Albert looked up. “Latham p>
“Yeah, and not just him. Scott’s here too. The whole crew. Oh, and get this—Latham brought a girl with him tonight. She’s his fiancée p>