“Did you give all those shots to Whitley?”
His smile faded a little. “Uh…I might have given her one or two to, um…loosen her up some. ”
I reached back, and before he even knew what was happening, I punched him. His head snapped back, and he lost his balance. I watched him tumble to the ground.
“Oh my God, Layton! What are you doing?” Susie yelled from behind the counter.
I bent down and grabbed him by his shirt. “You ever try something like that with her again, and I’ll do more than just punch you. Do I make myself clear, Richard?”
He wiped the blood from his mouth as he just stared at me.
“Do I make myself clear, Richard?” I asked again.
“Yeah, Layton…crystal clear. ”
I pushed him back down and stood. “Sorry, Susie, I didn’t mean to cause trouble. ”
I walked out of the bank as I made a vow that I would never let another man hurt Whitley. I’d rather die than see her hurt.
Chapter Eleven: Whitley
I’d been sitting at the same table since six this morning, just staring at my notebook. Courtney was editing a book at home, and I needed to get out, so I told her I was heading to Fuel for a bit.
I tried to concentrate on work, but my thoughts were all over the place today. After two hours of sitting here, my mind was blank. I pretty much had Mimi’s party planned. She was so easy to please, and I’d had so much fun with her this week while we had been planning the party.
Olivia’s engagement party was another story. Every idea I’d given to her, she had turned down. I was beginning to think she hated me. No matter what I’d said, she’d turned her nose up to it.
Bitch! It’s a damn engagement party in Llano, Texas, not New York City.
I threw my pen down and closed my eyes. That was when I saw his eyes…and felt
his lips on mine. I brought my fingers up to my lips and lightly touched them. At first, I thought I had dreamed he kissed me, but the more I thought about it, the more real it became. The fact that he’d stayed with me through that night made the butterflies take off in my stomach.
The way he called me honey, cowgirl, and sweetheart made me feel so special. No one had ever called me things like that, except for my dad.
I opened my eyes and thought about Layton holding me while we’d danced.
Damn it! I really wish I could remember what it was like to have him sleeping next to me.
Damn it all to hell, Whitley. Stop this! He even said…we are friends. We’re just friends.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts of Layton. It was easier said than done. He was coming home tonight, and all I could think about was our bet. I couldn’t wait to see him, just to be near him.
While he had been in Kentucky, we’d talked on the phone every night, and we’d texted at least ten times during each day. And now, I was sitting here, counting down the hours until I could see him.
Ugh! This has to stop. I’m done with men, including those who have incredibly sexy bodies, irresistible lips, and breathtaking smiles. Oh, that dimple—paralyzingly handsome Layton Morris.
Maybe I should tell him I can’t make it tomorrow.
When I looked up, I saw Richard walking in. I raised my hand and waved at him. He took one look at me and quickly hustled up to the counter. He’d been avoiding me for almost a week now. I’d gone into the bank once, and he’d actually gotten up and walked to the back.
I remembered we had danced a lot at that club in Austin. I kind of even remembered doing a little dirty dancing with him, but every time I tried to remember anything else, I could only see Layton turning down my kiss and then me puking outside of the club. I still cringed when I thought about calling Layton by Roger’s name.
I picked up my pen and started making notes about Olivia’s party. Just when I finally got my thoughts redirected, my phone started to ring. I glanced down and saw Layton’s name. I almost fell out of the chair when I reached for it.
“Hello?”
“Hey, cowgirl! Did you miss me?” he asked with that sexy-ass Southern drawl of his.