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She should probably thank Payton for that. How swiftly she’d played the part of her girlfriend, and from what Madison could tell, Jen had bought it.
So, at least, that was a good sign that tonight would go smoothly.
Madison picked up her phone from beside her pillow and typed out a message to Jen, telling her that they were free, to pick a time and place.
She went over to her suitcase, going over her own choices for tonight. She’d obviously want to look good, but at the same time, she didn’t want to try too hard or to make Payton feel uncomfortable by getting too dressed up, although Madison had a feeling that whatever Payton chose to wear, she’d look amazing.
Madison didn’t dwell on that thought, her phone buzzing against the sheets as Jen’s name popped up with an address for an Italian restaurant.
Madison went back to the living room where Payton was still going through her clothes. “How do you feel about Italian?”
“Love it.”
“Good. I forwarded the text to you so you can check it out, but it looks pretty casual. She’s making a reservation for seven, so I’m going to get ready.”
“Okay. Mind if I take a shower?”
“No. Of course not. Go ahead.”
Madison left her to go find something to wear. She’d do her makeup when Payton was done in the bathroom. She should probably be nervous about tonight, but she was kind of looking forward to it. She had no hard feelings when it came to Jen, but this would just cement the fact that they’d both moved on. Which was true, except not in the way that Jen might think. Not with Payton.
21
Payton had no idea where the last two hours had gone, but between taking turns in the bathroom and doing her hair, they were barely on schedule now, the black cab they were in slowly making its way through busy streets. It had taken them a while to flag a taxi down, eating into the extra time they’d allowed.
And that meant that she hadn’t had a chance to ask Madison about what the game plan for tonight was.
Payton ran her hands over her dark-wash jeans, checking the maps app on her phone. They would be arriving in four minutes.
She cleared her throat. “Hey, um, what’s my job here tonight?”
“Hm?” Madison asked, turning to look at her.
“Have I permission to go with the flow? I don’t want to upset you by, you know, putting my arm around you or…” She swallowed down the lump in her throat, leaving out the words ‘kissing you.’ She wouldn’t have been able to say it. The words would have died on her lips.
“So, the way I’m viewing this is… We’ve just sped up the timeline. This was supposed to happen at the wedding, but now it’s happening tonight.”
“Okay.” Payton tried not to get lost in Madison’s hazel-green eyes.
“So, you have permission to do whatever you were planning to do at the wedding. I would never have been one for public displays of affection, so if we want Jen to believe this, I wouldn’t… Kiss you while we’re sitting at the table, let’s say. But you know, within reason. We do still need to look like a happy couple. And I trust you. I’m sure I’ll be able to convey any awkwardness with a hard squeeze on your leg or something like that. I don’t know. I don’t think it’ll get to that.”
Payton nodded. “Yeah.” She could do this. She basically just had to be herself for the next few hours. She could let her gaze linger on Madison. She could put her hand on the small of her back as they entered the restaurant.
She took a steadying breath, telling herself for what felt like the hundredth time not to get carried away.
“You good?” Madison asked before opening the door and stepping out, holding out her hand for Payton.
“Yeah.”
They were right outside of the restaurant, and through the glass windows, Payton saw Jen and Hazel speaking with a waiter inside the front door.
“They’re here,” Madison said, taking a second to give a gentle tug to the lapels of her black blazer. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Payton let her lips slide into an easy smile. Madison was gorgeous. She’d gone with black jeans and a dressy white tank top underneath the blazer, her hair down in loose waves, her eyes dazzling.
Madison looked down at the hand she’d extended toward Payton. “Let’s go then,” she said, flashing her a charming smile, and Payton wished she’d meant it.
Payton took her hand again, the warmth spreading up along her arm as she tried not to get used to this, to feeling like she was really with this woman.
