Chapter 63
Latham set her down on the bed, careful and gentle. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have driven so fast. I won’t do it again p>
He paused. “I’ll ask Linda to make you some porridge p>
He left the room, and when he returned, he was holding a box of medicine. “I just spoke to the doctor. He said this should help you feel better p>
He offered her a pill in his palm, along with a glass of water. “Want me to help you p>
Dorothea pressed her lips together, took the pill from his hand, and swallowed it with a sip of water. “Thanks p>
Latham stayed put, watching her. His dark eyes never left her face.
He stared so long, Dorothea started to feel awkward.
She cleared her throat. “I need to get some rest p>
Looking down, she tried to avoid his gaze. Her voice was small and a little shaky. “I didn’t mean to make it seem like you were dirty. It’s just… that was my first kiss p>
Latham’s jaw, which had been tense, instantly softened.
He braced his hand on the side of her bed, his smile turning a little deeper, his eyes shadowed with something she couldn’t read.
“Funny. It was my first kiss too p>
The next morning, Dorothea woke up with her cheeks still warm. She couldn’t get Latham’s words out of her mind. His first kiss? That couldn’t be true. Someone like him, who changed girlfriends so often… There was no way.
She didn’t believe it for a second.
When Carmen asked her out shopping, Dorothea was more than happy to get out of the house.
“Dorothea I’m really sorry about what happened last time. Let me make it up to you. How about I buy you a bag? I’ll feel terrible if your s no
Dorothea gave a helpless smile. “You don’t have to do that. It’s all in the past. Really, I don’t need a bag p>
But Carmen wouldn’t let it go, so Dorothea thought maybe she’d just pick a cardholder to keep things simple.
They’d barely stepped into the store when trouble found them.
Dorothea’s smile faded in an instant.
Carola, arm-in-arm with Albert, walked up pretending to be thrilled. “Dorothea, Carmen, what are the odds? We meet again p>
Albert’s gaze darkened, his eyes glued to Dorothea’s face like he couldn’t look away.
Carola shot him a look so sharp she almost bit through her lip. She put on a smile and said, “Dorothea, Mom
Some crying fast nightojd
came
you upset her again p>
Carmen, clueless about the real connection between them, looked puzzled. “Mom p>
Dorothea’s expression stayed cool. “Carmen, let’s try another store p>
“Sure,” Carmen agreed right away.
Carola wouldn’t drop it. “Dorothea, do you really hate me that much? Or is it
because you used to have a crush on Albert p>
Albert’s eyes narrowed. He looked annoyed, but he didn’t say anything with Carola right there.
Carmen stared at Dorothea, shocked. “Wait, you and Albert p>
Dorothea let out a quiet, cold laugh. She didn’t look embarrassed at all. She took k a deep breath and said, “Sorry, my taste isn’t that bad. I. wouldn’t fall for someone who’s already taken. And I’m done calling. Elise my mom. Shes your family, not mine. I don’t mean anything to her p>
She turned to Carola, her voice steady. “So can you stop following me around like some annoying fly p>