Layla grinned. “Probably on the way to the buffet to load up on those appetizers I wanted.”
“You’re telling the truth, right? You didn’t stop because…”
“…I regret kissing you? Absolutely not.” Layla took another step back to get a better look at him.
An older man came into the foyer at that moment. “I’ve been trying to catch you for an hour, Johnsson,” he said. “Getting your attention is like trying to lasso a lightning bolt.”
Brant’s teeth flashed as he clapped the man’s shoulder. “Doug! Nice to see you again.”
Layla recognized him. He had one of those distinctive faces you never forget. He’d attended another event last year. It might have even been at the Rennselaer. But no matter. He wanted to talk to Brant, so it presented the perfect opportunity for an escape to the bathroom. Her makeup was undoubtedly all over the place. Probably on Brant too, for that matter. She needed to collect herself, catch her breath.
“I’ll be right back,” she whispered quickly to Brant after he introduced her.
She sought out the main bathroom off the foyer first, but found it locked. But because she’d had full access to the inn in October, she also knew of two more bathrooms on the first floor that weren’t for public use. She slipped into the one off the kitchen before anyone saw her.
Inside, she shut and locked the door. There was a second door on the other wall with a sign that read “Leave Locked at All Times.” For good measure, a small table with a basket of hand lotions and room sprays blocked it.
Layla looked in the mirror over the sink.Oh boy. Her suspicions were spot on. A lash clung to the corner of her eyebrow. Her lips were slightly swollen too, like she was in the middle of an allergic reaction.
Kissing him certainly hadn’t been part of the plan tonight. Layla had thought about it. Quite a bit actually. The tux, that must have been it. Or the way he held her while they danced, a look in his eye like she was the only other human in the room. Whatever it was, her first impression of him was history. Getting to know him had softened the sharp edges of that unfortunate first meeting a year ago. She’d jumped to conclusions too quickly. He wasn’t as cold-hearted as she thought. Quite the opposite.
She plucked away the stray lash and tamed the flyaway hairs with her hand and was about ready to rejoin Brant when voices outside the second door caught her attention. One of the voices belonged to Brant.
“I’d better fill a plate for her since she had her eye on them. They’re going fast,” he said.
She grinned. He was so thoughtful.
“I’ll take your cue and get one for Darcy. Knowing her, she hasn’t eaten since breakfast.”
Brant was with Sean Stetman.
Layla was about to leave when she heard Sean mention her name.
“It’s great to see you playing instead of working for once. How’d a caveman like you end up with someone as nice as Layla?”
There was a pause then Sean’s laughter cut through the silence.
“You know I’m joking, right? You deserve only the best,” Sean asked.
Layla drew closer to the blocked door to better hear the conversation. She felt guilty for eavesdropping, but curiosity got the best of her.
“The joke’s on me. It was a mistake inviting her.” Brant lowered his voice when he said it, but the words were as clear as if he’d spoken them in her ear.
“I’m not following.”
“I accidentally texted Layla instead of Joan, asking if she wanted to come tonight.”
“Oh man. Nothing ever good comes by text.”
“I could hardly take back the invitation.”
Sean let out a low whistle. “Agreed. That wouldn’t have been cool.”
Their voices faded as if they moved out of the foyer, and she could no longer make out the words.
She stumbled away from the door until her back pressed against the opposite wall. Her breath came out in a short gasp.
Asking her had been amistake?
