Page 25 of Don’t Fall For A Bodyguard

“Ignore him, Bella,” Payton continued. “We’ll exchange numbers, and I’ll arrange it.”

“Payton,” I warned.

“Lennie,” he countered.

As I glanced into his eyes, I knew that arguing any further would be futile.

Lesson number one about being a good husband, even a fake one; no matter who’s right or wrong, I’m wrong.

CHAPTER 9

PAYTON

After a four-course Italian feast, great wine, and lots of stories, Lennie’s family said goodnight. Five hours after they’d arrived. Not that I minded, because they were wonderful people, and it was one of the best meals I’d ever had. But the longer we talked, the more guilt weighed down on me.

And the harder I fell for Leonardo Andrea Rizzoli. My Lennie.

No, not mine.

I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Maybe once I was back in my own place, and Lennie and I were back to our usual work interplay, these heady feelings I had for him would go away. Then again, how could things ever be the same between us? I couldn’t ever forget what it was like to wake up in bed with him, or the first glimpse of his delectable body. Then, there was the glint in his blue eyes when he was about to lean in and say something sarcastic. And the fact that I could coax a smile out of him, one that changed his whole face. One that made a handsome guy the most unforgettable man I’d ever met.

Payton, what have you done?

Bad enough I was falling, but for a man I worked with? There’d be no escaping him. Especially not on the world tour when we’d be traveling together for months on end.

Ignoring the ache in my chest, I helped Lennie clear the table and clean the kitchen before we called it a night. I couldn’t abide dirty plates and dishes sitting on counters and thankfully, Lennie was the same. Once we were done with the cleanup, he carried my suitcase upstairs, and got me settled in the spare bedroom.

We’d said goodnight on the landing and when he closed my door, and I was all alone, I had the strange urge to cry. It must have been all that earlier talk about my mom and family. Even though I played it off like being single was always a good time, I couldn’t deny that I wanted a family of my own. A husband, children. The older I got, the more it felt like a need than a want. And part of me worried that I’d never achieve those dreams. And worst of all, that love wasn’t in the cards for me.

No kidding, Payton, that’s why you were drinking so hard in Vegas.

Ignoring my faraway wishes, I checked my phone and replied to several messages. Most of them were from friends like Jaclyn. Surprisingly, I also had one from Valen.

Valen: How’s married life? You taking care of my friend?

Payton: We just had dinner with his family

Valen: LOL are you serious?

Payton: They were here at Len’s when we arrived from the airport. His mom looked so upset. We couldn’t tell her.

Valen: Man, I wish I’d been there to see Len’s face. Are you still at his place?

Payton: It made sense to stay overnight

Valen: I’m sure it did. Remember what I said today. Please don’t hurt him.

Payton: In a week’s time, Lennie will forget this weekend ever happened.

Valen: I’m not sure about that. And what about you?

I didn’t reply to the last comment. I was nowhere near ready to face my feelings, let alone tell someone else what was going on.

I put my phone aside and went through my usual nighttime routine; skincare and a scalp massage, and after that, I changed into my two-piece black lace pjs.

The bed was a comfortable queen, but despite that, and my exhaustion, sleep wouldn’t come. I tossed and turned, and next thing I knew, it was after one in the morning. I was craving sweets, like I always did when I couldn’t sleep. So, I quietly wandered out of my room and downstairs to the kitchen.

I needed ice cream. Or cookies. Anything with sugar. And hopefully, chocolate.

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