Page 9 of Don’t Fall For A Bodyguard

CHAPTER 4

LENNIE

The guys in the band sure knew how to celebrate an occasion. Even a fake wedding.

They all knew that Payton and I had made a drunken mistake, but instead of razzing us (too hard), they played along, and honestly? It was the first time since I woke up that I was relaxed. Okay, not completely. Holding Payton’s hand made my pulse jump like crazy, but it also gave me a kind of confidence I hadn’t expected. Like, we were both in this mess, but we’d find a way out. Together. Almost like real partners. Or co-conspirators. Whatever fit.

After fueling up on a platter of fluffy french toast and crispy bacon, and with caffeine now coursing through my veins, more details of our night together came flooding back. Each one headier than the last.

“Of course, you’re gonna meet someone,” I reassured Payton as we sat at the bar. “Any man would be lucky as fuck to marry you.”

“Marry me? I just want a second date,” Payton sighed.

“You deserve all the dates. And that man is out there. Once he finds you, he won’t let go.”

Payton placed his hand over mine and instead of pulling away, I gave in to temptation and gripped it tightly. But I resisted the urge to pull his hand up and kiss it. That would be weird, right?

“You’re just saying that.” He shook his head. “And why don’t you have a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend. I shouldn’t assume you’re gay, but?—”

“I am. But, like you, work makes finding a relationship difficult. All the traveling and odd hours. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not the prettiest man around.”

“Bullshit,” Payton snapped. “And there’s more to you than being handsome. Why do you think I’ve been flirting with you for ages?”

“I thought that was teasing.”

“Oh, darling, no. In fact, if you asked me, I’d go on a date with you. Hell, I’d marry you right here and now.”

A short while later, that was exactly what we did. Holy shit.

I took another sip of my coffee and glanced over at my husband, who was his usual smiling, bubbly self.

Payton, of course, was right at home being the center of attention. He started describing the wedding in vivid detail. Details that sounded familiar, even if I couldn’t remember them. Or maybe Payton just had a good imagination. Either way, if I didn’t know any better, he’d have had me fooled into believing that he was happy about this whole scenario. He laughed and flirted with the guys, as usual. But when he turned and stared at me with those beautiful eyes of his, I found myself reaching for a glass of champagne. Hangover be damned.

While Payton was talking, I surreptitiously texted Van.

An hour later, Brodie picked up the tab, and guilt gnawed away at me again. When we got up and said our goodbyes, Van pulled me aside.

“As requested, I gave Elias the head’s up about you and Payton. ”

Brodie’s husband was no longer the band’s manager, but he was always protective of our rock ‘n’ roll family. I swallowed hard and nodded. Contacting the band’s lawyer to get this divorce underway was necessary, but it made the food in my gut sit like a heavy weight.

“Thanks, Van.”

“Of course,” he replied. “But don’t rush into anything.”

“What?”

“You two are a match.” Van smiled at me, the lines at the corners of his eyes deepening. “I had to say it.”

I was about to deny his statement when Payton stepped up to us.

“You’re not trying to steal my new husband away from me, are you, Van?” Payton teased.

“Are you kidding?” Van glanced over at Brodie. “I already have my hands full with one.”

And he did. But given the heated way Van looked at Brodie, there was no mistaking that he was happy as hell.

We said our goodbyes to everyone. The band was headed straight to the airport for their flight back to Nashville. Normally, I’d be with them, but not today.

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