by Laura Conway
She picked up her book, knowing she needed to unwind after the crazy week she’d just had, and as much as she wanted to think about Jackie, it wasn’t going to help her relax. They hadn’t spoken since Payton left, not that she was really expecting Jackie to call, but she thought they might have sent a few texts or something, but so far, it was just radio silence.
Payton sipped on her tea as she read, happy to be inside and on her couch with a blanket wrapped around her while it snowed outside. She’d have to get up a little earlier tomorrow to deal with the chaos of commuting in the snow and ice. They didn’t have a wedding tomorrow, but Kalen wanted to introduce her to some friends in the business.
She’d been so busy since she got back that she hadn’t even seen her mother yet. Payton thought about going to see her on Thanksgiving, but her mother was probably at a friend’s apartment.
Payton’s phone chimed, and she had to reread the message, hardly believing what she was seeing. Jackie wanted to know if she was free any day between December 12th and December 22nd, that she was thinking of coming to New York for ten days, but that she could choose other dates. Payton stared at her phone while she thought about how she was going to reply, a smile on her face as her thumbs started to move across the screen.
Payton replied, telling Jackie that she was busy most days, but she’d make the time to see her and to book whatever days suited her. Payton inhaled a shaky breath as she typed the next line.
You’re more than welcome to stay with me. Hotels in the city are kind of hit and miss. Plus, we’ll get to spend more time together that way.
Payton read her message at least five times, her thumb still hovering over the send button. It was probably a bad idea, but everything she’d said was true. It would be so much easier if Jackie was here when Payton got back in the evenings. Would they share a bed though? The guest room was there, but it would be weird to offer it to Jackie, wouldn’t it? But, at the same time, it was a bit presumptuous of Payton if she didn’t offer it to Jackie.
Payton blew out a breath and pressed send. She was overthinking this. She should just be happy that Jackie was coming to New York, that she’d get to see her again.
Jackie could stay at a hotel if she wanted to, although Payton would love having her here.
Chapter 21
Jackie knew she looked like a complete tourist, craning her neck, trying to take in Manhattan from the back of a taxi, but she really didn’t care. The sun had set a few hours ago, and snow flurries fell, making it difficult to see much above the streetlights, and she finally gave up, sinking into the backseat as the driver hit the horn, cursing as he sped up and swerved into the next lane.
As soon as she stepped out of JFK that was what hit her first. The noise. And the bitter cold. The drop in temperature was a shock to her system and so unlike the warm, pleasant weather she’d left behind in Malaga.
She’d checked the weather before she’d left, and this was what her trip was going to be like, cold with snow showers. It probably wasn’t the best time of year to come for sightseeing, but she was looking forward to soaking up the Christmas atmosphere and checking out Rockefeller Plaza, but Jackie knew why she was really here, and it had nothing to do with any tourist attraction. She was here to see Payton.
Jackie had spent most of the flight second guessing this whole thing. What would coming here really achieve? If there actually was something between them, one of them would have to give up their current lifestyle. She hated the idea of taking Payton away from her life here, but Jackie just couldn’t see herself leaving behind her business and everything she loved about Spain.
She tugged at her scarf, feeling a little queasy between the erratic driving and the heat being on full blast. In a way, she shouldn’t really be worrying about any of this, because this was so new. If they lived in the same city, they’d be dating, taking their time getting to know one another but with all the miles between them, there was this sense of urgency, like they had to figure this out in the short time they were together.
The driver pulled in, bringing the car to a halt and taking Jackie away from her thoughts. She paid him, and he left her carry-on suitcase on the sidewalk for her. She was in the Upper West Side, and apparently, this was Payton’s building. She nearly fell over when a woman hurried past her, knocking into her and putting Jackie off balance.
Jackie wheeled her suitcase behind her and took the lift up to the twelfth floor, her heart hammering in her chest as she checked her watch. It was almost eight o’clock, and Payton said she’d be home around seven, that it was okay to arrive any time after that.
She took off her gloves, stuffing them inside her coat pockets as the elevator pinged and the doors slid open. She took a deep breath. There was no reason to be nervous, but her stomach still fluttered.
She spent the entire day criticizing her own thoughts, trying to put aside Oliver and Alvaro’s idea that flying out here was some over-the-top romantic gesture. It wasn’t. Payton had invited her, and Jackie was taking her up on that offer. If by the end of this trip, they realized that they had something worth pursuing, then they’d have to figure it out, but right now, Jackie was here to enjoy herself, to see New York, and that meant that she had nothing to worry about.
Jackie scanned the numbers on each door. Payton’s was the last apartment on the left. She lifted her hand to knock, wondering if she should have brought something, but it was too late for that now. She was still wondering if she should even be staying here at all. She could have just booked a hotel.
The door opened, and there was Payton, a warm smile on her face, her blond hair swept up in a messy bun, dressed casually in jeans and a sweater. “Hey,” she said, stepping aside to let Jackie in.
“Hi.” Jackie couldn’t keep the smile off her face. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, simply seeing Payton again had instantly lifted her spirits and pushed aside her worries.
Payton’s arms were around her, and Jackie caught the scent of her perfume, and it took her right back to the nights they’d spent together.
“How was your flight?” Payton asked, pulling away.
“Good. Yeah. No delays or anything.” Jackie left her suitcase inside the door and shrugged off her coat and scarf, letting Payton take them from her and hang them up.
“Did you fly from London?”
“Madrid.” She stepped out of her boots, leaving them beside her case. “The times were better.”
Jackie followed Payton into the living room, taking in the light gray walls and pine floors. Her eyes were drawn to the photo of Luke and Payton above the electric fireplace. Luke’s arm was around his daughter’s shoulder with London’s Tower Bridge as the backdrop.
“That’s the last photo I have with him,” Payton said.
“It’s a great photo.”
“We were laughing because neither of us could take a good selfie. That was probably about the tenth attempt. Anyway, can I get you something to drink? Or dinner? Are you hungry?”
“The food on the plane was actually pretty good, so I’m alright for now, but I wouldn’t mind something to drink. Whatever you’re having is fine.”
“I just opened a bottle of white wine. Is that okay?”
“Sure.”
“Have a seat,” Payton said on her way into the kitchen that overlooked the living area.
Jackie sat down, wiping her hands on jeans. As happy as she was to see Payton, she was still on edge, still wondering how Payton was viewing this visit, still wondering where she was sleeping tonight. The hug hello should have been an indicator, not that Jackie was expecting a kiss, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t tempted to lean in herself. Having Payton in her arms had definitely stirred up all those feelings that she’d been trying so hard to forget about since Payton had left Benalmadena.
“Here you go,” Payton said, handing her a glass as she sat down beside her.
“Thanks.”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she said. “To a great vacati
on.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Jackie said, clinking their glasses together and taking a sip. “So, how’s the mentorship going?”
Payton’s eyes lit up. “It’s been amazing. Better than I could have imagined. Kalen is a genius, and I can’t believe I get to work with him. I’ve learned so much already, and he’s agreed to keep me on until the end of February.”
Jackie took another drink. She loved Payton’s enthusiasm and that she found something that she was so passionate about, but Jackie couldn’t help feeling discouraged, like this was a sign that Payton was leaning towards staying in New York.
“That’s fantastic,” Jackie said, forcing herself to smile when she really just wanted to blurt out that question. Does that mean you’re staying here?
“It’s just confirmed for me that this is what I want to do, which is great. I’d hate to have set out on my own and after a few months, realized that wedding photography wasn’t for me. I’ve spent a lot of long days with Kalen, and it rarely felt like work. The time flew by.”
“Always a good sign. What does your mother think?” Jackie asked, remembering that Payton had mentioned that her mother expected her to become a lawyer.
“Oh God. I haven’t told her yet. I haven’t even seen her since I got back. That’s how busy it’s been. She’s going to be furious,” Payton said with a sigh, “But I don’t care. I really don’t.”
Payton’s smile was contagious, and Jackie momentarily forgot about what all this good news meant for her. She lost herself in the moment, in Payton’s mesmerizing blue eyes.
“Jackie,” Payton said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Hmmm...?”
“What are you thinking right now?”
Jackie bit her lip, knowing exactly what she was thinking. The question was whether or not she should say it out loud. “I’m not sure I should say...”
“Does it have anything to do with kissing me?” Payton asked as they both inched forward. “Because that’s all I’ve been thinking about since you got here.”
Jackie couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she leaned in, her hand on Payton’s cheek, tilting her head as their lips met in a slow, emotional kiss. Jackie’s fingers traced her jaw line as they kissed, and Payton’s soft lips parted against her own, finding her tongue in a sensual dance.
Jackie sighed as Payton’s hand slid into her hair, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss.
Jackie lost herself in the moment, knowing how lucky she was to be here. She’d tried so hard not to daydream about this for the last few weeks, knowing it might never happen, but here they were, picking up right where they’d left off.
Payton broke the kiss, dropping her hand, their foreheads pressed together for a few seconds while they caught their breath. “I uh... I never did give you the tour of this place, did I?”
Jackie caught the playful tone in her voice as she sat back and met Payton’s eyes, a glint of mischief in them. “No. You didn’t.”
“Will we start with the master bedroom?”
“Please,” Jackie said with a grin.
Chapter 22
Payton jolted awake, momentarily confused as to where that blaring noise was coming from, but it was her alarm. She reached for her phone on the nightstand but managed to knock it to the floor.
She cursed under her breath as she shifted to the edge of the bed, and Jackie’s arm fell away from her stomach as Payton picked up her phone, finally turning off the alarm.
“Morning,” Jackie said, her voice thick with sleep.
“Morning.” Payton winced as she rolled over, rubbing her eyes. “Sorry about that. I was hoping not to wake you this early, especially when you’re probably jet lagged.”
Jackie smiled; her eyes barely open as she tucked the sheets up underneath her chin. “I don’t think it’s the jet lag. I think you wore me out last night.”
Payton laughed as she slid out of bed, her bare feet hitting the wood floors, knowing that if she didn’t get up right away, she’d give in to the temptation of curling up with Jackie for another hour or two. She couldn’t though. Kalen was waiting for her in Central Park where they were checking out a few locations for the wedding they were doing the following day.
“I’m pretty sure you wore me out,” Payton said, grabbing her robe from behind the bathroom door and slipping into it. “And I hate to leave you, but I have to get going. Make yourself at home though. There’s a coffee machine that I don’t think is too complicated, eggs, bread... Help yourself. I think I’m only going to be with Kalen for a few hours today, so if you want to do some sightseeing later on, just let me know. I’ll be in Central Park today, but I can come back, or you can meet me there.”
“Sure,” Jackie mumbled, and Payton turned to see that she’d fallen back asleep, her breathing long and deep.
Payton stood in the bathroom doorway, looking back at Jackie, her dark hair splayed across the pillow, and Payton did her best to savor the moment. A tingling sensation swept across her body, and she couldn’t ever remember feeling like this, like her heart was swelling in her chest, like she’d turn her world upside down for the woman lying in her bed if that’s what it took to be with her.
* * *
Jackie sat down on a bench overlooking a pond and a bridge, taking a sip of coffee as the snow flurries fell. She was cold but happy, and Payton would be meeting her here in a few minutes. Jackie double checked the message Payton had sent her, and she was nearly certain she was in the right part of Central Park.
She held the to-go cup in her hands, warming her fingers through her black knit gloves, watching all the people stroll by, a mixture of tourists who were looking all around them and locals, who had their heads down, walking briskly to their destination.
She’d spent the day exploring Payton’s neighborhood, just wandering without a plan. She’d had lunch at a deli on her way to Central Park and stopped for coffee twice since then, more to warm herself up than to curb her cravings for caffeine. She’d been pleasantly surprised to find Twinnings tea in Payton’s kitchen and enjoyed a cup while she caught up on her emails, but she was too distracted to reply to any of them.
Even now, Jackie still couldn’t believe how last night had gone. It was what she’d tried so hard not to fantasize about, coming to New York and falling into bed with Payton, but she never thought it would actually happen, not on the first night anyway. And they still had that chemistry, that connection, and Jackie had no idea how she was going to go home without her.
She knew this situation was different than her relationship with Megan, but Jackie still couldn’t see herself in a long-distance relationship. So, that left Jackie wondering if she could leave Spain. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed Payton walking towards her.
“Excuse me. Is this seat taken?”
Jackie looked up, a smile tugging on her lips as she took in Payton. A black beanie covered her head, her blond hair falling in loose waves over one shoulder, a camera bag slung over the other.
“Hey,” Jackie said, sliding a few inches to the left to make room for Payton. “Sorry. I was in another world there. How’s your day going so far?”
Payton sat down right beside her, their legs touching, and Jackie resisted the urge to put her arm around her.
“Yeah, it was good. I think we’re all set for tomorrow. I know the snow flurries make it romantic and everything, but they’re going to be so cold. I’m going to be cold, and I’ll be wrapped up like this. Kalen’s got it all figured out though. He knows the exact spots to bring them, and he’ll have it done in about a half hour. What about you? What’d you get up today?”
“Not too much. I slept in, and I don’t remember saying goodbye to you this morning.”
“Hmm. You fell asleep mid-conversation.”
“Sorry,” Jackie said, bringing her cup to her lips, feeling her cheeks heat up despite the cold.
Payton playfully bumped her shoulder. “Hey, I would have loved to ha
ve stayed in bed with you, and I definitely could have used a few more hours sleep. Don’t be sorry.”
An easy silence fell between them. Jackie finished her coffee as they did some people watching, the snow suddenly falling in thicker, heavier flakes.
“We should probably keep going,” Payton said. “Don’t want you to get frostbite on your first day.”
They stood and Payton linked arms with her as they followed the path back towards the street. Jackie knew she was grinning, and she really didn’t care. This is what she came to New York for.
Chapter 23
“So,” Payton said, carrying the empty pizza box into the kitchen while Jackie topped up their wine. “I know I should have cooked for you, but you couldn’t leave New York without trying real pizza.”
“Real pizza? I thought Italy did ‘real pizza,’” she said using air quotes.
“The thing about pizza in Italy is there’s only place that specializes in it. That’s Naples. The pizza I had there was amazing, but then I went to Rome and tried two different places. You couldn’t compare them. New York is full of Neapolitan style pizzerias, and that’s exactly where the pizza you just ate came from. That’s why it’s so good.”
“When did you go to Italy?”
“When I was eighteen or nineteen. I went with my Dad. I have an Italian friend I went to college with who would vouch for New York pizza too. He knows you can’t just go anywhere in Italy and expect award-winning pizza. Sorry,” Payton said when she realized she was rambling. “I’m passionate about my pizza. That was one of the things I always missed when I left for the summer and went to London or Benalmadena.”
Jackie didn’t know much about pizza except that the two slices she’d just had were delicious, probably the best she’d ever had, but hearing Payton talk about something she missed when she wasn’t in New York reminded Jackie that this was all just temporary. Jackie couldn’t ask her to leave. She’d be going back to Spain on her own in a week.