When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 144

Latham dropped his voice, almost conspiratorial. “Didn’t Scott say it already? We’re all family.”

Dorothea met Latham’s intense gaze, but it felt too much, so she looked away, poking at her rice and trying to sound unaffected. “Yeah, I know.”

She switched topics, hoping to steady herself. “Do you have time to help me pick out a gift for Scott?”

Worried Latham might read too much into it, she quickly added, “And for your dad and Garth, too. We can pick out everyone’s together.”

Latham’s eyes narrowed, his smile fading just a little. He leaned back, drawing out his words. “Oh, so everyone gets a gift except me?”

“Shouldn’t I be the one you’re most thankful for?”

Dorothea felt her face heat up. “What do you even want?”

She’d failed at picking gifts for Latham so many times, she’d about given up trying.

But the moment of darkness on Latham’s face vanished, replaced by that easy, familiar grin. “Eat first. We’ll go shopping after.”

He cocked an eyebrow, his smile a little mischievous as he spoke each word slowly. “And I’m picking out my own gift.”

Dorothea’s heart skipped, and she ducked her head, silently repeating to herself: He’s gay, he’s gay, he’s definitely gay.

That thought still looped in her mind when Latham pulled his flashy Bugatti up to the night market. Dorothea stared at him, lost. “You want to pick a gift here?”

Latham slid a hand into his pocket, like this was the most normal place on earth. “Yeah, why not?”

She hesitated. “No reason.”

The night market was crowded and lively, and his car turned heads everywhere. Dorothea had never liked being the center of attention, and her hand curled nervously at her side.

Latham glanced down, then back up, a slow smile curling on his lips. He leaned in, his voice low, almost brushing her ear. “Come closer.”

Dorothea paid without thinking, then glanced back at Latham, who was already popping his case off like it was urgent business. Was he really that eager to switch?

“This is the gift you wanted?”

Latham didn’t answer. He just held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

After a beat, Dorothea handed her phone over. Latham swapped out her old case and clicked on the new one, then did the same with his own.

He held both phones up, looking way too proud of himself. “Well? What do you think? Cute, right?”

Dorothea finally saw the words printed on the cases. Latham’s pale blue case read, in bold letters: At the service of Her Highness, the Princess.

Dorothea’s pink case just said, in huge font: Princess!

Latham grinned, tucking his arm around her. “Let’s go, Princess.”