AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
Madison glancedover at Payton who was typing away on her phone as her driver pulled onto her street. She could still back out of this. Find some other job to give Payton. But then what?
And as Madison nodded to her doorman and strode through the lobby, she tried one last time to come up with an alternative plan that didn’t involve Payton.
There just wasn’t one.
In the last year, Payton has been an invaluable part of her work-life. Madison knew she needed a personal assistant. She’d grown too accustomed to having certain things done for her to ever go back, but Payton had always exceeded her expectations, which was surprising, because as far as Madison could see, this was Payton’s first time working as one.
When they stepped out of the elevator and directly into Madison’s apartment, she shrugged out of her blazer and slid her feet out of her heels, carrying both down the hall as she told Payton to make herself at home. It wasn’t the first time Payton had been here.
Madison quickly changed into casual clothes, swapping her slacks for jeans and her blouse for a white tank top, turning the AC up a notch before she went into the bathroom to touch up her makeup.
When she came back out to the living room, Payton was sitting on the couch, her eyes on her phone, although when she looked up, that crush that Madison was banking on was clear to see.
Payton’s appreciative gaze swept over Madison before she cleared her throat. “What kind of food were you thinking of ordering?”
“Chinese?” Madison asked on her way into the kitchen, returning with a menu of her favorite place along with two glasses of water.
Madison sat down beside her, both of them looking over the menu. She would go with her usual order, so her mind wasn’t on the menu. She was thinking about the way that Payton had just looked at her, and how potentially easy this could be.
Madison called in their order, trying to decide if she should wait until she had food to distract her or if she should just launch straight into it now.
Payton had wandered over to the floor to ceiling windows while Madison had been on the phone, and she’d pulled her long blond hair into a messy bun with a few strands hanging loose.
The age difference wasn’t ideal. That was the latest thing that had her questioning this whole scheme. It didn’t bother her personally. It was more the impression she would be giving others. And since this was all for the purpose of others, particularly her ex-wife, then shouldn’t it be a factor?
Or she could just own it. Own the age difference. It could even be seen as a good thing.
“Madison?”
Payton was staring at her and judging by the look on her face, that hadn’t been the first time she’d said her name.
“Sorry.” Madison shook her head. “I was a million miles away.”
“I was just wondering what you wanted to ask me about tonight. What the job was?”
Madison inhaled a deep breath. “Why don’t we sit down?” She motioned for Payton to move ahead of her, and they both took a seat. “So…” She smoothed her hands down her jeans. “I just want to start out by saying that the only reason I feel like I can offer this sort of job to you is because you’ve been an exceptional P.A. for me this last year, and I trust you.”
Payton nodded. And then visibly swallowed. “Thank you for saying that.” There was a quiver in her voice.
Madison knew she had Payton on edge and that she’d better just say it in case Payton was dreaming up all kinds of shady business practices that Madison might ask her to partake in. “So… This might sound a little bit strange, but this is going to be more of a personal request. It’s still very much a job. I will pay you. Generously.”
7
Payton could barely hear what Madison was saying over the pounding of her heart. Why was her boss being so mysterious? What kind of a job was it that she had to invite her here for dinner to ask her?
Was it something illegal? Something she couldn’t ask her to do while they were in the office?
Did Madison think she had to persuade her to do whatever this job was? Was that why it was taking her so long to ask?
Payton couldn’t keep her foot from bouncing, and she was on the verge of asking Madison to just say what she was trying to say, but Payton managed to be patient for a few seconds longer.
And when Madison did finally ask her, she nearly fell off the couch.
“So,” Madison said as she took a deep breath. “I’m looking for someone to take to my ex-wife’s wedding. A date.” She bit her lip for a second before she kept going. “But it’s more than that. I know it’s incredibly childish to be going down this route, but I can’t seem to help myself. I’m competitive, just like she is. And I refuse to go to that wedding alone. So, what I’m asking you, Payton… Is would you be willing to go to the wedding with me, not only as my date, but also as my girlfriend as far as everyone there is concerned? Someone I’ve been seeing for the last year.”
Payton was pretty sure her jaw had fallen open. She pushed herself off the couch because she suddenly felt like she couldn’t sit still. And she couldn’t handle Madison’s intense eye contact. Not now.
