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Payton bit the inside of her cheek. “I’m just wondering if we should spend some time together this weekend.”
Madison nodded. “I was thinking that too. For a while, actually. It’s just that things have been so busy here. Were you thinking tonight?”
Payton hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Tonight, or tomorrow. I don’t mind.”
“What would we do?”
Payton blinked. She should have thought this through. Ashley played at a swanky wine bar last night. Maybe they could go there? Payton wasn’t exactly familiar with the more upscale establishments that this city had to offer. She went to gay bars and sports bars. “What about just going to a wine bar and having a few glasses? Maybe some food?”
“Okay. Yeah. Do you have somewhere in mind?”
“Yeah. It’s not too far from here. I can text you the address?”
“Please. Will I meet you there?”
“Yeah.” Payton could feel her throat tightening. This was fake, but it was still a date with Madison Dunne. “Around nine?”
“Perfect. Whoever’s there first can grab a table.”
“Okay.” Payton pushed herself out of the chair. She had more to say, but it could wait until tonight. What was she even going to wear?
“I’m leaving in a few minutes. You don’t have to wait for me.”
“Thanks.” Payton left, a mixture of nerves and excitement with her the whole subway journey home.
12
Madison surveyed the wine bar, a quiet hum of chatter greeting her as soon as she entered the cozy venue. Just about every table was full, but she found a table for two tucked away in the far corner, and before she’d even sat down, her eyes caught Payton’s as she entered.
Madison had spent nearly an hour getting ready, trying on four outfits, finally settling on black jeans and a red scoop neck blouse. She’d ignored that little voice in the back of her head, the one asking her why she cared so much. This was just a few hours out with her assistant. Very casual. And yet she couldn’t wear the first thing she’d tried on.
Payton made her way over to the table, a smile tugging at her lips. Her blond hair had been straight earlier. Now, it fell across her shoulders in loose waves. She’d swapped her gray slacks and white button-up blouse for jeans and a dressy white tank top with a black blazer over it.
“Hey,” Payton said as she took a seat across from Madison.
“Hi.” Madison decided then and there that she’d made the right decision. Payton would be able to pull this off, and Madison knew she’d be happy to have anyone she met at that wedding think that they were really together.
“What do you normally drink, or does it change?” Payton asked, glancing up from the menu.
Madison hadn’t even looked at it yet. She picked it up now, scanning over the list of wines. “I usually ask what they recommend and go with that unless it’s something I know I don’t like. You?”
“I’m not exactly a wine connoisseur, but I usually go with a Shiraz or a Malbec. Play it safe.”
The waiter came over, and Madison went with his recommendation. Payton asked which Shiraz he’d suggest and went with that one.
“So,”Madison said, throwing a glance around the room before her eyes settled on Payton’s. She didn’t recognize anyone here. Not that it mattered, but it made it easier, somehow. No one was going to come over to their table and force Madison to introduce Payton. “I’m no longer your boss. Not until Monday morning, anyway.”
“Okay,” Payton said with a shy smile.
“And we might as well apply the same rules to the entire trip. I know I have a few meetings lined up, but I want you to enjoy the week in London, and if we’re going to be putting on a show Friday night, we could use the week leading up to it like we are tonight. As friends. Getting to know one another better.”
Payton nodded and their waiter returned with their wine. “I can drink to that,” she said, lifting her glass, and Madison leaned forward to clink her glass lightly against Payton’s.
“Cheers,” Madison murmured, before she took a sip, the rich flavors hitting her tongue, and she immediately tasted the cherries.
“So, how did we meet?”
Madison took another drink before leaving her glass down, her fingers lazily moving along the stem. “Keep it simple? At work?”
