"So, about him..." "Why do you have to pry so much? Don't you already know what's between us?" Dorothy wished to close the book on this topic, because if it wasn't making anyone happy, why dwell on it? She felt like Kenneth's kindness towards her was something that could never be erased, and she didn't want to lie to Everett about that.
"Alright, | won't ask." Everett kept his gaze fixed on her. "When do you think is the best time to pick up Abigail and Langston? You decide.” He had initially thought about having Kevin drop them off, but after giving it some thought, he figured he should consult Dorothy.
It would be disrespectful to make such a decision without her input.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Let's wait a few more days, okay?" Of course, Dorothy longed to see her children and would have loved to have them with her immediately! But there was a part of her that was apprehensive and fearful about how to break the news to Kenneth, especially since Langston had been with him for so long—longer than she had been with the child herself. The thought of suddenly having them whisked away to the Lopez family, with no idea when they might see Kenneth again, made the words stick in her throat, whether face to face or over the phone.
So, she figured the kids could spend a little more time with Kenneth—just a bit longer.
"I'll follow your lead," Everett didn’t say much, although he had read the reason for her hesitation from her eyes.
The same sentiment remained unspoken between them: he didn't want to pressure Dorothy. He wanted to give her the space to live her life the way she preferred, to choose her own path. As for his feelings...
What pain, loss, or sadness could possibly outweigh the agony of the four years without her? He had endured that; what was there to fear now? Their mutual silence hung heavy in the air until the whirlwind that was Jeffrey burst in, shattering the quiet.
"Everett! When is Karen flying back home? | need to know!" He blurted out his question before noticing Dorothy was there too.
She frowned instinctively and had her guard up, "Why do you need to know?" Jeffrey, caught off-guard, stumbled over his words.
"Jeffrey, Karen is my friend, and she's worlds apart from you. I'd really prefer it if you didn't make her your next conquest,” Dorothy said as her protective instincts kicked in. She had wanted to voice her concerns the day before but had held back because Karen was there.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I... 1 didn't say she's my conquest..." "Then enlighten me, why are you constantly looking for her?" Dorothy was naturally protective over her best friend. She feared that Karen would get entangled with a man like Jeffrey. What would become of her if the man just hit and ran? Jeffrey's thoughts scrambled; he opened his mouth but no defense came out.
Everett propped himself up and pulled Dorothy close, "You don't have to be so hostile towards him. Jeffrey... is not a bad guy.” Everett was confident about that much.
"I know the relationship between you two, which it's like me and Karen. But until | can be sure you're serious about her, Jeffrey, I'm opposed to anything happening between you two." Dorothy laid it all out there. There was no need for pretenses in front of Jeffrey.
It always came down to some “simple truths” between men and women, didn't it? Jeffrey had only met Karen a few days ago, and Dorothy wasn't buying any overnight romance.
"Hold on, both of you! Stop acting like I'm the one chasing after Karen, will you? She was the one who offered to be in my bed last night!"