Kaylee entered Club Tahoe, her stomach balled in a knot. She had an appointment with Emily Wright, a manager at the club. Emily had asked Kaylee to come in and review details for the wedding that couldn’t wait any longer.

Kaylee cradled her cramping stomach and glanced around the pool area, catching sight of the tall, pretty blonde she and Eddy had met with months ago. With her wavy hair blowing in the light breeze, Emily waved Kaylee over, a bright smile on her face.

Wet children speed-walked past Kaylee while adults sunbathed poolside or splashed in the lazy indoor/outdoor river. Kaylee made it to the rustic round table with cushioned chairs where Emily stood, and shook her hand. “Good to see you again.”

Emily gestured for her to sit. “Would you like anything to drink?”

Kaylee sat in one of the chairs. “I’m fine, thank you.”

Pictures of Club Tahoe were splayed across the table, causing Kaylee’s pulse to race. Lighting and cake choices were a few of the decisions she’d put off, among many others.

Emily followed Kaylee’s gaze. “I brought images from past parties to see if anything catches your eye.”

Pinpricks snaked across Kaylee’s skin. None of this felt right, but she attempted to hold a smile.

Emily spread out the pictures. “The Club Tahoe wedding coordinator will go through all of this and more, but due to the general size of your wedding, I wanted to make sure you were thinking of these things ahead of time. The deadlines are fast approaching, and I didn’t want you to make a last-minute decision you weren’t happy with.” Emily smiled hesitantly. “You’re a little behind on finalizing the layout and approximate guest numbers. Not that we need exact numbers just yet…but a sense of how many people you anticipate would be good.”

Kaylee squeezed her hands in her lap. She couldn’t do this. “Emily, can I ask you something? In confidence?”

God, was she seriously going to talk about her relationship drama with a near stranger? On the other hand, since they didn’t know each other well, anything Kaylee said wasn’t likely to go far.

Emily swallowed, a shaky smile crossing her face. “Yes. Anything.”

“If we… That is to say, if Eddy and I were to cancel the wedding for some reason, what would happen to our contract?”

Emily let out a light breath. “If you think that’s a possibility, you’d want to give the club notice within the next week. We can refund up to seventy-five percent of your deposit. Most places ask for more, but Club Tahoe is in high demand and we have a long waitlist.” Her gaze grew concerned. “Is that something you think will happen?”

“I don’t know.”

Emily rested her hands on top of the table. “Kaylee, I feel I should say something.” She pressed her lips together. “I was with Wes Cade and his brothers in the club lounge a few weeks ago. Wes said you two used to date?”

“We did. A long time ago.”

She nodded stiffly. “While I was with the guys, we saw Eddy at the bar with some of his friends.” She winced. “Has Wes said anything about that?”

Kaylee’s breath locked in her chest. “He did, but he didn’t go into details. He said… Eddy cheated.” Repeating the words gave them substance—a palpability she hadn’t been able to fully acknowledge until now. “Wes and I have a rocky past. I wasn’t sure if I should believe him.” She pressed her fingers to her eyes, then dropped her hands and gazed pleadingly at Emily. “What happened?”

Emily’s mouth twisted to the side as though she were annoyed. Or disgusted. “Eddy left the lounge with a woman. When they returned, it looked like something had happened. Eddy had been touching the woman in a familiar way before they left the room. When they came back, his appearance—”

“Oh God.” Kaylee sank her head to the table. Then she remembered where she was.

She stood abruptly. “I have to go. Can—can we finish another time?”

“Certainly.” Emily stood and wrung her hands. “I’m so sorry. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do. I just… I thought you should know.”

“I— Thank you.” Kaylee grabbed her purse and rushed out of the pool area, her bag falling halfway down her arm and catching on her legs. Her head pounded like it might explode.

How could she be so blind? This entire time, everyone knew Eddy was an ass. Except for her.

Wes knew.

Nausea rolled through her body as she darted across the lobby—where Wes, of all people, stood, talking to his youngest brother, Hunt.

Naturally Wes would be here to witness her humiliation.

He scanned her face, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?”

Kaylee swept past him. No way could she talk to him right now. Not after what Emily had said.

Not after what Kaylee had finally realized.

Yes, she’d talked to Eddy and strongly suspected things. And yes, Wes had told her Eddy cheated, but not with any detail. Somehow the details were important. They made it real. And God, the details. It didn’t take much for Kaylee’s imagination to fill in the blanks Emily had left.

This was Kaylee’s fault. Not Eddy’s cheating, but where she was right now. Alone. Undervalued. Engaged to a man who wasn’t faithful.

She’d agreed to a life with Eddy, because she was damaged and thought only Eddy could love her.

But Eddy was an ass, and her head was clear. She couldn’t ever have kids, but she deserved a good guy. Not some jerk who manipulated her.