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She hid a wry smile as she thanked him. Her biggest fear with this whole charade was what Jen and her friends and family would think. Would they believe that Madison was in a happy relationship?
But sitting here now, with soft jazz surrounding them, the candle giving off a warm glow, Madison knew the biggest challenge would be making sure that Payton didn’t get hurt.
Madison could handle having to find a new personal assistant. That was something she was used to doing at least once a year.
But she didn’t think she could live with the guilt of having Payton really fall for her because Madison had put them in a position for it to happen.
Glasses of wine. Traveling together. Staying in the same suite. All while pretending that they cared about one another?
It was a dangerous game, and Madison hoped that by the end of it, Payton would see beyond Madison’s style and success.
Because if she did, she’d realize that Madison wasn’t worth the effort.
13
Payton pushed back the curtain and stepped out of the fitting room, and Ashley jumped up from the ottoman.
“That’s it!” Ashley practically dragged her over to the mirror. “That’s the dress.”
Payton took a deep breath as she took in her reflection in the wide full-length mirror. This must have been the eighth or ninth dress she’d tried on today, and while she was losing patience, Ashley had enough determination for the two of them.
“You can’t go wrong with black,” Ashley said behind her. “But this is what you need. It’s floor-length, but that slit running up the side? Madison will be fucking drooling by the end of the night.”
Payton turned, getting a look at the very open back. It was classy with a lot of sexiness. She just wasn’t sure she could pull it off. And when they started shopping today, Ashley had been on a mission. She didn’t want Payton to find a suitable dress. She wanted Payton to find a dress that would make Madison see her as more than her personal assistant who was playing her fake girlfriend.
“Yeah, I’m not sure,” Payton said, pulling her hair up with one hand to see the full effect of the halter neck.
“No, Payton. This is it.”
“I’ve never worn anything this nice. This sophisticated.”
“And that’s why you need it.” Ashley walked around her, studying her from every angle. “Yeah, I’m not letting you leave without this dress. What are you doing with your hair?”
“I don’t know.” Payton stared at her reflection. Could she really pull this off?
“And you have heels you’re comfortable in?”
“Yeah.” Payton let her hair fall again, running her hands over the smooth material.
“We’ll figure that out later.” Ashley’s smile was infectious. “I wish I could be there. I’d love to see the look on her face when you knock on her door, and she sees you in the hallway wearing this.”
Payton’s pulse sped up. She’d had so much to tell Ashley. And it had all been so crazy and unbelievable. But she must have left out the part where they weren’t staying in separate rooms.
“Ash…” Payton wet her lips as she padded back towards her fitting room. “We’re staying in the same room. Otherwise, it would look strange. But it’s a suite.”
Ashley’s eyes went wider than Payton had ever seen them, and Ashley wacked her on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me??”
Payton shrugged. “I don’t know. I forgot.” She slipped behind the curtain and carefully got undressed, changing back into her jean shorts and tank top.
When she came out, Ashley was pacing the floor. “This changes everything.”
Payton shook her head as they headed out into the store to pay. “It doesn’t. She said she’s taking the couch, but there’s no way. She’s going to be the one in the bed.”
Ashley chuckled. “Where can I place my bet that both of you will be in that bed?”
“No.” Payton held up her hand. “No. Keep those thoughts to yourself. I’m not getting carried away, okay? This is still a work thing. It’s just going to be fun. And that’s the attitude I’m going to have. This is fun. I get to relax for one whole weekend and let myself gaze at Madison with my unfiltered heart eyes. Besides, where is all this enthusiasm coming from? I thought you were worried about me.”
Payton appreciated Ashley’s encouragement, but it was hard enough for her to be realistic, to get it through her own head that nothing was actually going to happen with Madison.
