Page 4 of Don’t Fall For A Bodyguard

Another memory flashed.

Most of the band’s entourage had left the party for a club, but Payton refused to join them. Until it was just me and him sitting at the bar. And when he passed me several shots, I finally let my guard down. And I let him tease me, his favorite pastime. I’d hoped it would put his luminous smile back in place.

He was so damn pretty with those hazel eyes of his, more gold than green, and a flirty and fun personality that had everyone, even grumpy asses like me, smiling. Okay, maybe not on the outside. I didn’t let him know how much he affected me. IfI did, I was certain he’d have me wrapped around those slender, talented fingers of his in no time.

Like that ring he was wearing. My ring. The one I’d obviously put there last night. At our wedding. Fucking hell. Funny enough, I could remember leaving the bar with him and hopping in a car. But the memories after that were still fuzzy.

Where did we get the rings? I glanced down at my hand. I could tell from the weight of the band that it was a quality piece of jewelry. And that sparkler Payton had on was near to blinding.

Think, Len, think.

It had to be the same place Van and Brodie bought theirs; it wasn’t far from the chapel. I tapped on my rideshare app to see where we’d traveled to, but there were no trips from last night. We’d probably used Payton’s phone.

Despite the razzing I knew was coming, I texted Regan to tell her I needed a) a sick day, b) a full tracking of my phone, c) the name of the jewelry store she’d taken Brodie and Van to, and d) any eyewitnesses from last night’s party.

My boss’s reply?No shit.Then she sent me the name of the jewelry store, a place called Dazzle which was located in a sketchy area of the city.

I tapped on another message, this one from Valen, one of my colleagues and closest friends.

Valen: Dude, you MARRIED Payton??? He’s way out of your league LOL. And he’s posting pics everywhere. Call me!

Here we go…

Lennie: FU. All I remember is taking shots with him in the bar. I don’t know how we got to that chapel. No rideshare trips on my phone.

Valen: Doesn’t matter how. It’s done. Are you with him now?

Lennie: In his hotel room. Nothing happened, though. I’d never take advantage of him that way.

Valen: But you would marry him?

Lennie: He married me, too. And I’m off today so we can resolve this. Know any divorce lawyers?

Valen: It’s Vegas, pretty sure you can find one NP. But are you sure? You’re gonna break poor Payton’s heart.

Lennie: Not funny

Valen: I’m not joking. His flirting with you is for real.

I didn’t believe my friend. He was right when he said Payton was out of my league.

I glanced down at my phone again, at the pictures that were now common knowledge in our shared circle, especially the one of me and Payton kissing. In that moment, we looked like we fit, and I wished like hell I could remember that kiss.

“Don’t be an idiot,” I mumbled to myself. “He wouldn’t date you, never mind marry you.”

“Who wouldn’t date you?” Payton asked.

I looked up to findmy husbandin nothing but a tiny white towel, his wet hair slicked back. I preferred the wild curls, but no matter what, he was stunning. He was staring at me, his beautiful eyes wide, and I nearly lost my train of thought.

“Uh, nothing,” I muttered.

“I can’t get the damn ring off.”

“I thought you were keeping it?” I snarked.

I got a rude gesture for that comment. Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, I smiled in return.

“We got them on, so it stands to reason we’ll get them off.”

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