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“Yeah,” Payton said, her breath visible in puffs of white. “That’s true. We do spend a lot of time together. Although, I have been staying over at yours more often.”
“About that...”
Payton’s feet slowed just as they reached their destination. The Rockefeller Christmas tree towered above the plaza, the snow dancing to the ground in the golden hue of the lights. But Payton struggled to take in the sight, her mind scrambling to put meaning behind Madison’s words.
Did Madison want to slow things down?
The last four months had been amazing. They’d started off seeing each other two or three times a week, going for dinner or for a drink, but things naturally progressed as the weeks went by. In November and December, they easily saw each other four or five times a week, and Payton stayed over three or four nights. Definitely over the weekend.
Was Madison regretting that now?
Madison turned to her now, taking a deep breath. “I was wondering how you’d feel about moving in with me?”
Payton stared at her, her heart jumping to life. “What?” she asked, shock taking over.
“At the very least,” Madison said, putting her hand in her pocket and clutching something, placing it into Payton’s gloved hand, “I want you to take this.”
Payton looked down at the tiny gift box in her hand. She lifted the lid to see a silver fob engraved with Madison’s penthouse suite number.
“So you can come and go as you please,” Madison said.
Payton lifted her gaze, her mind scrambling to catch up. This was a huge deal for Madison. Payton remembered Jen saying in London how long it had taken her to convince Madison to move in together. Years. And Madison was ready to take the leap with her just four months in?
Madison’s eyes searched her own, and Payton realized she needed to say something. She didn’t want Madison to think that Payton wasn’t sure.
“Yes.” Payton cleared her throat. “Yes,” she said with more conviction, a smile coming to her lips. “God, I thought you were trying to put the brakes on this.”
Madison’s mouth fell open. “I can’t blame you for thinking that. I know it’s going to take more than a few weeks to get you to trust me. After the way I treated you in London.”
“Hey, we’re beyond that now.” Payton put the lid on the box and slid it into her pocket with the fob still inside. “I just had this sinking feeling that this was too good to be true.”
“I know,” Madison said with a smile, her hand on Payton’s cheek. “I have that thought just about every time I’m with you.”
Payton leaned in, brushing her lips over Madison’s, her nose cold against her own as the snow continued to fall all around them.
Payton pulled away, her arm around Madison’s waist as they took in the empty ice-skating rink, the snow almost completely covering the surface now. The scraping of skates and the upbeat Christmas music that had been here just a few hours ago was gone, a serene silence enveloping them now.
The night air was sharp and invigorating, flushing their cheeks as they stood side by side, taking in the stillness, the tree’s lights reflecting back at them.
Payton’s heart swelled as Madison leaned her head against her shoulder, and Payton turned to brush her lips against her hair.
She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed in the last six months. So much had happened, and now things were somehow getting even better.
“Come back to mine?” Madison asked as she lifted her head.
Payton nodded, tilting her head to find her lips.
“Let’s go,” she said softly, and just as they turned to walk away, the lights switched off, the tree behind them dark.
Payton reached for Madison’s hand, interlacing their gloved fingers, happier than she ever could have imagined being.
