Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

LENNIE

I hadn't slept at all last night, but I didn't give a fuck. I'd trade any sleep, any day, for more time with Payton. As much as he'd flirted with me for months and months, I don't think he ever anticipated anything would come of it. I didn't either.

Until Vegas.

I knew what I wanted, but Payton needed time. For all his talk about wanting to find love and a boyfriend, he was scared. Scared to let anyone get close. Probably the result of some asshole(s) he'd dated who'd gotten into his head. And there was our work situation. I couldn't discount that.

But I knew my heart. I'd never fallen before, but there was no mistaking it. I'd give him all the time he needed, but I was not about to forget last night. Or the past two days. Or months of flirting. And, with each passing hour, our wedding seemed less like a mistake and more like fate.

Which was probably why, the closer we got to Elias Kain's office, the more anxious I became.

The office wasn't far from the studio downtown, so the location was familiar. And being a block from Broadway Street, the heart of the music action, it was busy. The area was wall to wall bars and clubs. I pulled up to the address and parked. Most of the buildings around here were commercial on the first floor, and rentals on the second.

"Is this the right place?" Payton asked.

I nodded. "The address is 214A. I assume that means his office is located above the bar."

"Kind of a strange place for a lawyer to have an office."

"Not if all your clients are musicians."

I got out of the truck and walked around to open Payton's door. When I offered him my hand, he hesitated, then finally slipped his hand into mine. I was tempted to pull him into my arms and kiss sense into him, but I held back. He was skittish, and I knew that now was not the time for my demanding side.

We headed for the door, and I pressed the buzzer.

"Yes?"

"It's Lennie and Payton."

"Come on up."

The door unlocked, and I reached for it, motioning for Payton to go first. The air inside reminded me of the nightlife around here—the underlying scent of alcohol, sweat, and cigarettes.

We climbed a long set of stairs and reached a landing with another door. 214A. I guess big time lawyers didn't need to advertise.

I knocked once, and Elias opened the door. I'd never seen the man unkempt, and today was no exception. He was dressed in charcoal trousers, with a pink button-down and a patterned tie. With dark-rimmed glasses and slicked-back hair, he looked like he was ready for Wall Street, never mind Broadway.

"Lennie, Payton, nice to see you," he greeted us. "Come on in."

The office turned out to be an apartment with an open floor plan, including a kitchen and living room. Unlike the stairwell, this place was modern, bright, and smelled like citrus.

"This is an interesting location for a law office," Payton mused as he glanced around.

"I work with interesting people, so it suits. Besides, it's not only my office, it's my home. I own this entire building and I remodeled the place myself."

"You did?"

"I can write a brief and swing a hammer," Elias quipped as he motioned for us to follow him.

We passed the living room and entered an office, with more windows that looked out onto the street below. It was quiet up here. Good soundproofing for sure.

"Please, have a seat."

Payton and I sat down in the leather chairs across from his desk. Elias took his seat, and opened up his laptop.

"Zoe filled me in on some of the details about your weekend nuptials in Vegas. While I specialize in contract law, I also have experience with divorce. I take it that's how you want to proceed? To file for divorce?"

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like I couldn't breathe. I didn't reply. Neither did Payton.

Elias raised one dark eyebrow. "Or maybe not?"

"Uh—"

"Well—"

Payton and I spoke at the same time.

Elias smiled, and the man looked like he was about to pose for the cover of GQ.

"It's really not my place, but perhaps it would be a good idea for the two of you to talk to a marriage counselor or a therapist before you file. If you still wish to proceed, I'll handle it as quickly and painlessly as possible."

I glanced at Payton, and he stared back at me.

"What do you want to do?" he asked me.

"If we can't ask for it, we're probably not ready."

Payton covered his face with his hands.

"Whoa, what a ring," Elias commented. "Lennie, you went all out."

"It's Payton. He deserves the best."

"Lennie," Payton sighed. "What are we doing?"

"We're taking our time," I replied. "Making sure we're doing the right thing."

"But shouldn't we just file? I mean, this is crazy. It's not like we're going to actually stay married, right?"

I'm not gonna lie. His words hurt. Because, yes, it was crazy. But yes, I wanted to stay married to Payton. Holy fucking shit. I loved him. I was in love with Payton…

There's nothing like the shock of realizing you're in love with the man you're about to divorce. I wanted to protest his statement, but I called on all my training to stay calm. To do what was best for Payton. He was my only concern. His happiness before mine.

"If you're ready to move forward, then I'll respect your wishes," I bit out, my hands digging into the arms of the chair. I'm surprised I didn't break the damn thing into pieces.

"Payton?" Elias looked at him. "We can start with the basic information since I assume this will be a no-contest divorce. As I said, it will take three to four weeks to finalize, maybe less. I'll need your?—"

Payton shot up out of the chair. "I can't do this."

"What? But you just said?—"

"I know, but I need more time." Payton looked at me and sat down again. "Is that okay?"

I nodded. Of course, it was okay. I was relieved and concerned all at once. It meant I had time to convince him this marriage wasn't the worst thing that had ever happened to us, but the best. But as to how I was going to do that, I had no idea.

Elias leaned back in his chair and studied us. "Take a week or two, do what you need to, and then get back to me. Sound good?"

Payton nodded. "Thank you, Elias."

"You can call me El. And no worries. I hope you guys can work it out."

Man, I hoped so too.

Payton

"You ready to speak to Zoe?" Lennie asked. "We can walk to headquarters if you want. It's only five minutes from here."

Was I ready? I didn't know anything anymore.

"Payton? Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine."

I was so not fine. But I was sure that once I was back at my place, and then back to work, everything would be. Then I'd be ready to file for divorce. From Lennie. God, saying or thinking the word ‘divorce' made me feel nauseous. I thought I was going to throw up in Elias's office. All over his desk, his laptop, and his designer outfit.

I stepped out of the building and onto the street, my legs shaky, almost losing my balance. Of course, Lennie offered his arm, and I couldn't resist.

"Thank you," I whispered. "It must be the lack of sleep."

"Hold on tight. I won't let anything happen to you."

I glanced up at his profile. The strong jawline, the slightly crooked nose. I so wanted to lean up and kiss him, to believe that what he said was true, but I held back. That would only confuse things. Not that things could get any more confused. Or complicated.

Until we got to the music label's head office. Not only was Zoe there, but Jesse, the band's manager. And his presence got me wondering. And worrying. Did the label have an issue with all the social media stuff about the wedding? I hoped to fuck that Lennie and I weren't about to get fired.

"How did your meeting with Elias go?" Zoe asked us point blank.

"We're not making a decision about the marriage yet," Lennie replied. "A lot has happened in two days and it's overwhelming."

Zoe nodded. "Okay, so for now, we run with the story that this is a love match?"

"Do we need to say anything further?" I asked. "Can't we ignore the comments? Or maybe I should delete my posts?"

Jesse leaned forward. "I wouldn't delete anything. There's been a huge amount of interest in your story from Wayward Lane fans. One of your wedding posts had over three million likes."

"Not to sound crass, but we can't buy publicity like that. Especially right before a world tour," Zoe added. "We're trying to create the biggest buzz possible as a lead-in and even though this may not be one of the ways we usually do it, it's newsworthy. Fans love following the guys and their relationships, and insights about stuff that goes on behind the scenes. And a romance between one of the band's security, and their hairstylist? It's PR gold."

"I agree," Jesse nodded. "Music is storytelling, after all. The wedding is driving engagement. And, if you haven't made up your minds yet, I suggest you keep posting. Little teasers that will keep fans hungry for more."

"So, you want us to act like this is a real relationship?" I asked.

Lennie made a sound that was very similar to a growl.

I slowly turned to him. "Do you have something to say?"

Lennie leaned forward, his blue eyes full of fire.

"I'm gonna give you all the space you need, Angel, but let's get one thing clear. You and me? It's fucking real!" he barked.

"Lennie—"

"Don't start denying it. Not after last night."

My heart was about to fly right out of my chest.

Until I noticed Jesse and Zoe following our conversation with rapt attention, their eyes ping-ponging between the two of us.

"Not here," I hissed. "Not now."

"If not now, then when?" Lennie snapped. "Are you saying you feel nothing for me? After everything that's happened? And I'm not talking about the past two days, but all year."

I'd never seen Lennie so worked up before. Was it possible that he was feeling all the things I was?

"Okay, I'm sorry," I admitted. "You're right."

"Say that again?"

"I said, you're right."

He looked marginally calmer, but the flush on his face told me that this discussion was not over. But the knot that had lodged in my belly all morning? It finally loosened.

I turned back to face Zoe and Jesse, and the two of them were staring at us with their mouths wide open.

"What?" I stated. "Haven't you been around any married couples before?"