GoodReadDorothy didn't need to turn around to know who was approaching. The presence he carried with him was unmistakable, almost like the thick aroma of a freshly brewed coffee lingering in a quiet morning cafe.
"Aren't you supposed to be out of Eldorria City?" she asked, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes danced with a playful light, perhaps accentuated by the wine she'd had, giving her a cheeky charm.
Everett stood before Dorothy wrapped in a black trench coat, his lips pressed together in silence, making no move to come any closer. It was as if he was there solely to escort her back to her apartment, with no intention of striking up a conversation.
Dorothy didn't press him to speak. Instead, she simply finished the drink in her hand. There was one last can left in her bag.
As she reached for it, Everett finally broke his silence with a furrowed brow, "Stop drinking. You know you can't handle it." "Since when do you care?" she retorted.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThere was a beat of silence before Dorothy smirked and stubbornly attempted to open the last can.
In the next second, both Dorothy and the can were enveloped in Everett's embrace.
He was so tall that Dorothy, in her flat shoes, barely reached his shoulder, her head nestled perfectly under his chin as his trench coat enveloped her.
"Dorothy, stop being stubborn." "Is wanting a drink really being stubborn?" she slurred slightly, her footing unsteady. She wrapped her arms around his waist for balance, her gaze hazy yet piercing, "Everett, you say I'm not good at lying, but aren't you the expert?” They knew each other too well for lies to carry any weight.
"I came back because of Jeffrey's situation.” "Oh, | heard about that. His ex-girlfriend’s child isn't his, right? You found out?" Dorothy nodded, her eyelids growing heavier.
She tried to keep them open, but the alcohol was numbing her senses, and the strength kept fighting with her sanity.
Feeling her nodding off in his arms, Everett sighed.
"You're drunk, I'll take you home." "No... they're still talking! Just leave me on the bench. I'll be fine!" Dorothy gestured towards the bench she had been sitting on moments earlier.
Everett, disliking the scent of alcohol on her, frowned and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
The sudden loss of ground made her instinctively cling to his neck.
"What are you doing?" "If you're tired, close your eyes and sleep." Dorothy furrowed her brows and pushed against him, "I don't need you to take care of me! Put me down." "And who do you need to take care of you?" Everett's gaze locked on her flushed face, "Kenneth?" Silence fell between them.
He had come out because of that text message! Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the sense of safety in his arms, but Dorothy fell asleep before they had even left the park. She curled up against him like a gentle, pliant kitten.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmEverett could see right through her attempted provocation. But indeed, she was drunk and in a hurry. With no one else around in the park and Karen tied up with Jeffrey, if she had that fourth drink, it would be hard for her to make it back on her own. And without showing up himself, she might have really needed to turn to Kenneth.
Everett carried her to a nearby hotel and booked a room.
Then he messaged Jeffrey to inform Karen there was no need to worry about Dorothy not returning.
After placing Dorothy on the bed, he intended to remove his coat, but she clung tightly to it.
With no other choice, Everett lay down beside her, still in his coat, and held her close.
As he watched Dorothy sleep, unguarded and serene, he couldn't help but stroke her cheek, Jeffrey's words echoing in his mind.
"Dorothy, will you ever... marry Kenneth?"
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