Chapter 221
When she heard the knock at the door, Latham took his time setting Dorothea down. He stood up, straightened his suit jacket, and gave her a calm look. “I’ll wait for you downstairs. Take care of your work first p>
Dorothea just stood there, lost for words.
“Come in p>
She hadn’t expected Latham to just leave like that.
Mamie pushed open the door, surprised to see Latham coming out of the office. She nodded politely, greeting him with her usual professional calm.
“Dorothea, here’s the data you asked for p>
“Thanks.” Dorothea glanced at the clock. “It’s already five thirty. Let’s call it a day. We’ll go over the reports tomorrow morning p>
“Okay.” Mamie had a good relationship with Dorothea, but not the kind where you dove into deep, personal conversations.
She noticed something was off in Dorothea’s expression, but kept it to herself and gently closed the door on her way out.
Dorothea was still standing in the same spot where Latham had just held her. Her heart wouldn’t settle down.
If he never had a first love, then what about the tattoo under his collarbone… Did “W.L.” really stand for Dorothea Lane?
Was that possible?
But the tattoo looked old, like it had been there for years. Back then, she hadn’t even met Latham. How could it be about her?
Dorothea took a slow, deep breath and walked to the parking garage. She thought for sure Latham would ask her for an answer right away.
But when they had dinner, Latham didn’t mention anything about what had happened in the office. Not a single word.
Dorothea hadn’t worked through her own feelings yet. Her mind was still a mess, so she kept quiet too.
“There’s a summit in the south. I’ve been invited to attend. I’ll be back by the weekend,” Latham said softly.
The weekend was only two days away.
“Alright p>
Two days might be just enough for Dorothea to sort out the chaos inside her.
After Mamie’s disastrous blind date, Scott had shown up and helped her out.
But her mom, Claire, who was still in the hospital, was convinced Mamie had only gone to the date to placate her. Now Claire thought Mamie had made up a boyfriend just to get out of it. She was not happy.
“Mamie, you shouldn’t lie to your
mother like that. I’m introducing you to people for your own good, not to make you miserable. Go apologize. to Lewis pretend none of the ever happened. Belle also has a nephew, about your age p>
“Mom.” Mamie felt a headache coming on. She cut her off as gently as she could. “I really have a boyfriend p>
Claire’s eyebrows drew together p>
“You just broke up, didn’t you?
Where did this new boyfriend come from? Lewis told me everything Don’t think you can pass off regular friend just to keep us quiet p>
Mamie remembered what Scott had said and quickly interrupted, “I really do have a boyfriend. His last name is Stephens. He’s just beep really busy lately, but when he has time, bring him by the hospital to see you p>
Claire looked at her, unconvinced. “You’re actually dating someone p>
“Yes. Really p>
Claire seemed determined to call her bluff. “Then tomorrow. I’m getting out of the hospital tomorrow. No matter how busy he is, he can make time for dinner, right?” Mamie had talked herself into a corner and had no choice but to agree.
Back at her apartment, she scrolled through her phone and found the unfamiliar number from that day. If she remembered right, that was Scott’s.
She hesitated, wondering if she should call him. In the end, she chickened out. Maybe a message would be better.
Mamie opened up Scott’s chat window. Their last conversation was ages ago.
She bit her lip and typed “Are you there?” letter by letter… then deleted it right away.