She looked down at her watch. “Let’s hope he hasn’t changed his routine too much. Let me go in first. Give me a minute before you follow.”

“Roger that.” He looked around, surveying their surroundings.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and walked into the restaurant. This Georgetown hangout was known for its power-player lunches and after-work happy hours with the movers and shakers in town. Nick always got the best tables for dinner, and he basically had his own seat at the bar.

When she’d dated Nick, they’d come here often. She still hated a lot of the decisions she’d made where he was concerned, but she’d tried her best to give those regrets to God and move forward.

When she spotted him at the corner of the bar in his usual seat, a wave of memories started to overtake her—some good and some bad. But right now she was on a mission. There was no time for regrets and recriminations.

As Nick’s eyes met hers, they widened.

“Anyone sitting here?” she asked.

He motioned for her to sit down.

“Thanks.”

“You tracked me down outside of work, so something must be on your mind. Wanna have a drink?”

The bartender stood in front of her. “Club soda with lime, please.” She turned her attention back to Nick.

“I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit.” He lifted his glass to his lips.

“It’s not.” She moved in closer to keep her voice down. “Are you read into the IG’s investigation of me?”

He arched an eyebrow. “You realize it’s probably inappropriate for us to even be having this conversation.”

“Now you’re going to worry about what’s appropriate or not?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

He set down his drink. “Fair enough. Yes, I actually just got briefed today.”

“It’s all lies, and I need your help.” The words gushed out quicker than she had intended.

Nick sighed. “I know things didn’t end great between us. I was a big jerk, but I care about you, Layla.”

“You wouldn’t have done this to me.” She truly felt that in her gut and had decided to take this approach and see how he responded instead of accusing him outright.

“Never. I’m not the enemy here. I want to see you succeed.” He touched her arm gently before moving back. “And I think you know that, or you wouldn’t have come to me.”

“Actually, Bryce suggested you might be behind the whole thing.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “We both know that’s crazy. You fully understand what my job is like and what my aspirations are. I opened up more to you than I have to anyone. I couldn’t handle a scandal like that. Can you imagine? ‘Top-ranking CIA official sets up his ex’? Talk about a career killer.”