Page 23

I need the practice. I nearly died today. Just a few minutes pretending has my head all over the place. I’m like an addict Ash. I want more and I know I shouldn’t.

ASHLEY

Like you said. Have fun. When will this ever happen again?

PAYTON

Yeah. I know. I’m afraid of what kind of friend I’ll be when I get back though.

ASHLEY

Oh, I’ve got the bucket of ice cream ready.

PAYTON

Miss you.

ASHLEY

Miss you too. Enjoy yourself, okay?

Payton pushed herself off the bench and walked a few more minutes before turning back, stopping to make friends with a black and white French bulldog who seemed to take a liking to her.

By the time she was back at the hotel and swiping her keycard, she felt better. Less edgy. Those two hours out and about in the afternoon sunshine did her good, and right about now, a nap sounded like an amazing idea.

She opened the door, nearly tripping over her own feet when her eyes landed on Madison stretched out on the bed on her back, her eyes closed, one arm thrown behind her head. Her hair was dry, but she was still in the white robe that she must have put on after her shower.

Payton swallowed, knowing that she shouldn’t be invading Madison’s privacy like this, but they were sharing a suite, and she had to walk by her, except Payton couldn’t make herself keep going.

Her eyes drifted from her bare feet to her toned calves, the robe falling just above her knees. It was tied at her waist, but it had fallen open slightly, and Payton’s legs went weak when she realized that she was staring at a hint of cleavage and the slight curve of her breast, her dark hair tossed over one shoulder.

Payton practically stumbled as she retreated into the living area, her heart pounding in her chest, her palms clammy.

She paced the carpet, wiping her hand across her face. There was no way she was sleeping now. That image would be burned across her eyelids for the rest of the day.

Why did Madison have to be so fucking hot?

Payton eventually collapsed onto the couch, her head in her hands as she tried to get a grip.

She knew they’d be sharing the same space for a week, but somehow, she hadn’t factored in close encounters like that, and a part of her was thankful that Madison was asleep.

What exactly would she have done if she’d walked in, and Madison was brushing her hair or on the phone looking like that? Payton wouldn’t have even trusted herself to speak.

Payton had no idea how she was going to take her own advice and just have fun, because this crush was turning into something that she was afraid she wouldn’t recover from.

She’d have to quit and never see Madison again when they got back to New York if the rest of the week went like this, because how was she ever going to go back to treating her like her boss?

And they hadn’t even gone to dinner with Jen and Hazel.

God, that was going to be torture.

But Payton couldn’t wait for it.

What the fuck was wrong with her?

20

Madison woke up disorientated, blinking until her eyes adjusted enough to read the clock beside her bed. 5:21PM.