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The celebrations in her head were fucking epic, but Payton’s face, hopefully, remained neutral.
“Okay,” Madison said with what sounded like a sigh of relief. “We’ll have to go over the details. Which is why I asked you here tonight. I mean, to ask you, of course, but assuming you agreed, I wanted the time to lay out the ground rules or the expectations. Because you know how crazy it can get at work. I didn’t see you all afternoon after you left my office.”
Payton was about to open her mouth when the intercom buzzed, and when Madison got up to get their food, Payton fell back against the couch, her hands covering her face, a grin coming to her lips.
Wait until she told Ashley.
8
Madison suggested they eat in the living room, their food on the coffee table as they sat on cushions on the floor. She wanted this to be as casual and easy going as possible. And the way Payton had looked at her when she’d gotten changed after work made Madison remember that Payton had probably never seen her in jeans before.
If this was going to be at all realistic, and it had to be or Madison didn’t know what she’d do, they had to figure out how to be friends as well as boss and employee.
And sharing food while sitting on the carpet in her living room felt like a way to start that process.
They were nearly done eating now, with just casual conversation while they ate. Payton had asked her about her ex, and Madison had explained that she’d been married to Jennifer for five years and that they’d been divorced for two.
“And the woman she’s marrying?” Payton asked as she tucked her knee into her chest.
“Hazel. She’s from London and that’s why they’re getting married there. I think they split their time between both countries. I’m not sure.”
Payton nodded. “Okay. Are you uh… Surprised by how quickly all this is happening?”
Madison sighed. “No. I mean, yes, we were married for five years, but I’d say things were only good for maybe three. Jen met Hazel while we were still in the process of getting divorced, so… And she told me that she’d proposed more than a year ago. So, no. Not really.”
“Can I ask you something?”
Madison wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Please. And you can ask me anything. I’m aware that this is a big job, that I’m asking a lot of you, so if you want to ask me anything, just say it.”
“When did you start thinking about asking me? Were you seeing someone a few months ago and assumed that you’d be bringing her and now you’re panicking? Or had you been thinking about this for a while?”
“I know I keep my personal life away from the office, but we spend a lot of time together. I think you’d know if I had a girlfriend.”
Payton smiled. “Well, I didn’t know you were gay, so…”
Madison returned her smile. Her heart was beating fast in her chest. Was she going to tell Payton the truth?
Madison reached for her glass and took a drink. “So, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but…” She exhaled. “Jen told me that she was getting married right around the time my last P.A. handed in her notice, so… When I saw your resume, and your theater background, the idea popped into my head, and I couldn’t seem to forget about it.”
Payton shook her head as she wrapped her arms around her leg, her chin briefly resting on her knee before she sat up straight again. “I don’t believe it,” she said, a smile on her lips.
“I only seriously thought about it in the last two months. The time crept up on me, and I realized that I had to do something. But it was more that I could trust you than that you had acting experience. That part just planted the seed. It was much more about how good of a job you’ve done in the last year. That’s what made me feel comfortable enough to even suggest this.”
Payton wet her lips. “I’m glad you felt like you could ask. And I’d be happy to do it.”
“I also figured that all of my personal assistants over the years haven’t made it past a year. So, if this goes horribly wrong and I have to find a new P.A. then at least I’ve had a great year with you, and it wouldn’t be unusual for me to start searching for a new one again.”
Payton’s lips curved into a smile. “How would it go horribly wrong?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Well, I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Payton tilted her head. “But what’s the plan? You haven’t really said what this job entails.”
Madison nodded. “Yeah. Well, we’re flying out on Sunday. We’ll get there early Monday morning. Probably jet-lagged. And I’m going to line up some meetings throughout the week. And then the wedding is on Friday. I’ve been invited to the afters the next day. Just a night out at a bar I’m guessing. And then fly back Sunday.”
Payton looked like she was waiting for her to continue. “Okay, but what about me specifically. My job. What’s the goal? Are we making Jennifer jealous, or do you just want to be seen with me, you know, holding hands or whatever.” Payton’s voice trailed off at the end, almost as if she thought she might be crossing a line.
And that was exactly what Madison wanted to get out of the way now. Any kind of awkwardness. That had to be long gone by the time they boarded that flight.
