Layton leaned over. “Whit, do you know him?”
I couldn’t talk. My heart was pounding. I immediately started looking around the room for Roger.
If Nick is here, does that mean Roger is here, too?
Melinda grinned. “So, Whitley, how in the world do you know my Nick?”
I reached for Layton’s hand and squeezed it. “I, um…I…” I glanced around the room again and then down the table, scanning all the faces. I didn’t know anyone else besides Nick.
“Baby, are you okay?” Layton asked as I squeezed his hand again.
Nick laughed. “Melinda, I know Whitley from New York. She used to date Roger. ”
I noticed Layton sit up straighter as he grabbed my hand tighter.
Melinda looked at me and smiled slightly. “You poor thing. He is such an asshole. ”
“Melinda!” Nick said.
“What? He is. ” Melinda practically drank down a whole glass of wine. She looked back at me and frowned before giving me a small smile.
“No, she’s right. He is an asshole,” I said as my voice cracked.
“Well, it’s a good thing he isn’t here, huh?” Melinda said with a wink.
She must have noticed how nervous I was.
I slowly felt my body relaxing just a bit.
Oh my God! I told Melinda Layton’s last name and where he lives. If she tells Nick, and he tells Roger—
“Would you like to leave, baby?” Layton asked.
I shook my head, my eyes never leaving Melinda’s. “Actually, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom. ” I stood up.
The men at the table, including Layton, stood also.
Melinda jumped up, startling Nick. “I’ll join you. Nick, please, would you order me another glass of wine?”
Nick smiled. “Sure, sweetheart. ”
I leaned down and whispered in Layton’s ear, “I’m fine. Just give me a few minutes. ”
He gave me a weak smile and nodded.
When I walked into the restroom, I almost had a full-blown panic attack. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned around to see Melinda standing there.
“Whitley. ”
The look in her eyes told me she knew why I was so upset.
“You’ve slept with him, haven’t you?” I asked.
She slowly looked away, and when she turned back, I saw tears rolling down her face.
“He totally swept me off my feet. Nick hadn’t told anyone at his job about me or that we were engaged until a few months ago when he brought me to an office retreat. I was out, walking alone, and I ran into Roger. He seemed upset, and I asked if he was okay. He told me he was upset because his girlfriend had run out on him with no good-bye or anything. I felt so bad for him, out alone in the woods, just walking. We talked for almost an hour. Before I knew it, I was up against a tree while he was fucking the shit out of me. ”
My hand came up over my mouth. “Oh my God! What about Nick?”