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She pushed herself up until she was leaning against the headboard. That was just meant to be a quick twenty-minute nap, but she must have needed more. She stretched her arms over her head, and the sound of a phone beeping in the other room let her know that Payton must be back.
The conversation that they’d had before Madison had a shower came back to her. She couldn’t even remember how it started, but Payton’s voice was in her head again.
‘So, my age does bother you? You know, if this was a real thing.’
Madison shook her head as she got off the bed and padded into the living area, stopping in the doorway, not wanting to go in without Payton knowing, but she was looking back at her from where she was sitting on the edge of the coffee table, her forearms on her thighs as she glanced down to finish typing before putting her phone face down on the table beside her.
“Hey,” Madison said, running a hand through her hair. She probably should have taken a look in the mirror first, but it was too late now.
“Hi.” Payton looked tired, but it wasn’t just her eyes. It was something about her body language. She looked defeated almost. “Did you get my message?”
“Yeah. Did you have a nice afternoon? Sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep like that.”
“No, it’s fine. And yeah. I did. Went back to Hyde Park for a while.” Payton stood up. “I’m sorry about before. I don’t even know… I shouldn’t have been quizzing you like that. It’s none of my business what your thought process was for this.”
Madison folded her arms across her chest. Why hadn’t she gotten changed before she came in here? She glanced down to see that she could have done with tightening the robe, but she couldn’t really do it now without flashing Payton.
“No,” Madison said with a sigh. “I was tired and getting cranky, so look, let’s just forget about it.”
“Any idea what night this dinner will be?”
Madison wet her lips. “I actually got a text before I took a nap. She wants to know about tonight.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, but I can put her off if you want. We don’t have plans, but if you’d prefer to go back with another day, or skip it altogether? I mean, we could already have plans.”
“No.” Payton’s hand was on her forehead as she went over to her suitcase that was open on the couch. “Where?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
“Somewhere fancy, I’m going to guess,” Payton said as she looked at her clothes, taking a white blouse out and a dark pair of jeans. “I didn’t really pack for that. Just business casual for the few meetings and summer clothes.”
“It won’t be that fancy.” Madison smiled. “Is that the impression you got from meeting her?”
Payton shrugged. “I mean, Hazel seems like someone I’d hang out with, but yeah. Jen is definitely from the same sort of social circle as you. So, yeah, fancy.”
“Do you think I’m a snob?” Madison asked, genuinely curious.
“No. I didn’t say that. It’s just… You know, kind of intimidating when someone’s always so well put together. And I imagine Jen is like you in that regard.”
Madison took a deep breath. “Yeah. I guess she is. But like you said, Hazel isn’t. I’m sure she won’t suggest anything too exclusive. So, what do you think? Will I say we’re free?”
Payton visibly swallowed. “Yeah. Sure.”
“Really?”
Payton met her eyes. “Yeah. Definitely.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know what time and where, so you can Google it.”
Payton smiled shyly. “Thanks.”
Madison returned to the other room before she paused and turned around. “Hey, I said I’d take the couch.”
“No. I don’t want to argue about this with you. Seriously, take the bed. I’m fine on the couch. I promise.”
“Okay,” Madison said, still not entirely sure what was going on with Payton. She seemed different today. She was great earlier, when they’d met Jen.
