Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

LENNIE

O ur flight landed on time so I should've been happy. The sooner I got back home, the sooner I'd get back to my normal routine. Payton and I would get this divorce sorted, and that would be that.

But I was dreading this trip coming to an end. Dreading leaving Payton.

Maybe that's why my mouth ran ahead of my brain on the plane. Had I really admitted all that stuff to him? Fuck, I longed for the days when I could barely make a sentence around him. Now he probably assumed I had a crush on him.

Well, you did tell him he was sexy. Twice.

We decided to split a ride from the airport. Given that my place was closer, I was being dropped off first. We could've taken separate cars, but I didn't want to, and Payton didn't seem to mind. Even though when I went to carry his luggage again, he refused. Stubborn man.

It was only a fifteen-minute drive from the airport to my two-story townhome in midtown. I loved the area and bought in five years ago. The neighborhood was safe, quiet, and close to downtown. Plus, I had a driveway and a garage, rarities for this location.

As we pulled onto my street, however, I noticed a car parked in my driveway. A familiar red SUV that had my earlier panic reaching new heights.

"Oh shit. Whatever you do, don't get out of the car. In fact, keep your head down," I urged Payton.

"What? Why? What's going on?" He asked me.

"My mother's here. That's her SUV parked in my driveway. Dio mio, what the hell is she doing here? Fucking hell, I'm in so much freaking trouble."

Payton patted my leg. "She's obviously worried about you. And so what if she sees me? She already knows we're married. I'm sure it won't be that bad."

I turned to him and shook my head. My mom was a force of nature any day, but when she was angry? Look the fuck out.

"You have no idea."

The driver came to a stop, and I quickly stepped out of the car. To my utter shock, Payton did the same.

"What are you doing?" I hissed. "Get back inside. Go."

"Leonardo Andrea."

I nearly dropped my laptop case at the sound of my mom's voice. Turning around, I found her and my dad standing in my doorway. Mom had her hands on her hips, her brown eyes boring into me. Dad stood behind her, shaking his head. Why did I ever think it was a good idea to give my parents my spare key? Panic and guilt hit me like a massive wave.

"Hey Ma, Dad," I greeted them, my voice cracking. "What are you guys doing here?"

Then my younger sister Isabella stepped around my parents. The fuck? Was this an intervention or something?

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Rizzoli!" Payton announced and waved at my parents. "So nice to meet you in person."

Oh, my God. I turned to Payton and motioned for him to get back in the car, but he ignored me, and beamed at my family with that incredible smile of his.

"You as well, Payton," my mom replied with a hint of a smile. She stalked up to us, ignored me, and pulled Payton close. After she kissed him on both cheeks, Mom turned to glare at me. "Even though I'd rather have met you before the wedding."

"You know, Len," Payton continued, reaching for my hand. "So impatient. He wanted me all to himself and he couldn't wait."

"I'm sure. And please call me Gulia," my mom added. Then she turned and stared at me with sharp eyes. "But you know, this whole thing is strange. Lennie's never brought a boyfriend to meet the family before. Then bam, just like that, he's married. No hint, no warning at all."

My mom was vibrating at this point, her voice getting louder, like a sonic boom.

"Speaking of married, there's something I need to tell you—" I started.

Payton squeezed my hand. "Let's talk inside. It's been a long trip."

"Right. Of course." The driver unloaded our suitcases, so I grabbed them and started up the driveway. Then I realized I hadn't done the formal introduction to the rest of my family. "Oh, sorry. This is my dad, David, and my sister, Isabella."

"A pleasure." Payton offered his hand to my dad. "And now I see where Len gets those beautiful blue eyes of his."

My dad was a quiet man, a calm balance to my mother's fiery nature, and kind of shy. He flushed at Payton's comment and waved him off.

"Well, you two must be exhausted," Dad replied. "We should leave you to?—"

My mom and sister gave my dad the stink eye, and he stopped talking.

"Isabella," Payton announced, breaking the tension. "Such a pretty name. Can I call you Bella?"

"Of course," my sister replied as she leaned forward and kissed Payton's cheek. "We're family now."

Oh, Jesus.

"So, Payton, how long have you been dating my son?" Mom demanded.

"Ma," I warned.

"What? Don't I have a right to know?"

I ignored her comment, walking up the front steps and into the foyer of my townhouse.

"Oh, this is lovely," Payton announced as he looked around. "There's so much light in this space."

Then Payton peered around the corner to the living room. "And a corner sofa, my favorite."

My mom looked at Payton. "You've never been here? How long have you two been seeing each other?"

Shit.

"About that—" I started.

"Why don't we sit down in the living room and talk?" Payton suggested. "Darling, how about getting your family drinks first? Something strong."

Hell yes to that. I nodded, taking Payton's cue, leaving our cases in the foyer. I headed down the hallway to the kitchen and went straight to the cupboard beside the fridge. Never mind coffee, this news called for bourbon.

And then I heard it.

The booming sound of my mom's laughter. I had no idea what Payton said to her, but the fact he got her laughing after being with her for exactly two and a half minutes told me a lot. Was there anyone he couldn't charm?

I grabbed a tray, several lowball glasses, poured a good two-ounce drink in each, and headed back out to see what was so damn funny.

Payton and my family were at home on my couch, everyone chuckling. Mom was laughing so hard that tears were running down her face. I placed the tray on the coffee table and handed out the glasses.

"Oh, Lennie," she snorted. "Payton was telling us about the first time he met you. He walked in on you changing in one of the dressing rooms and you…you covered yourself with a pillow?"

I looked at Payton, wondering why the hell he would've used that particular detail of our morning together to craft this story. When he raised one eyebrow, I finally clued in. Turns out, I wasn't the only one good at diversion. And that tactic was useful. Like right fucking now.

"What else was I supposed to do?" I replied. "He was a stranger."

Not a stranger. We were colleagues. Casual friends. Nothing more.

Sure, that's why you told him he was sexy and called him ‘angel.'

"Not for long." Payton winked at me. "He was adorably shy, and I was immediately charmed. Not to mention, he was standing in front of a mirror, so the pillow didn't help with the back view. I could see every?—"

"Okay, they get it," I interrupted, shaking my head. "Look, I—we—appreciate the visit, but we've had a busy weekend?—"

"I'll bet," Bella snickered.

"—And we'd like to have a bite and get settled in, so, if you don't mind?"

"Of course." My mom stood up. "Why don't you let us help? You bring Payton's stuff upstairs and we'll serve dinner."

"Upstairs?" I croaked.

"Dinner?" Payton squeaked.

"Yes. I brought two trays of lasagna. And we have wine?—"

"Ma, that's not necessary. And I'd like to be alone with my husband."

"Lennie," Mom snapped, and my dad stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. "First, you deprive me of a wedding and now, you turn down my food! Why don't you take a fork and stick it in my heart already?"

Oh God, the drama. My dad didn't utter a word, smart man that he was, and my sister sat there watching us like we were characters on TV.

I glanced at Payton, hoping my panicked expression would encourage him to rescue me.

"Since you did go to all that trouble of cooking, the least we can do is sit down together for a nice family meal," Payton replied. "Right, darling?"

"See. Payton understands," Mom replied. "Learn from your husband."

I bit the inside of my cheek. I could do this. What's another hour or two?

"Fine," I sighed and held out my hand to him. "Come on, Angel, let's get freshened up."

"You call him angel?" Bella gushed. "That's so sweet."

"He is for sure." Payton smiled, and took my hand.

His touch had my pulse taking off. I didn't know whether to pull him closer or push him away for good.

"We'll be down in fifteen."

I hustled Payton out of the living room and up the stairs to my bedroom. I'd come back for our luggage later.

"I like your family. They're so down to earth," he stated as we reached the landing. "And that went better than I thought."

"Better? Better?" I whisper-shouted. "They think we're actually married! And now that they're here, they won't leave for hours. This is a disaster! I should've just told them."

"Your mom is already worked up. I couldn't tell her the truth. A shock like that might be a lot for her to take," Payton insisted.

He had a point. I kept walking, directing him down the hallway and into my bedroom. Jesus, Payton was in my bedroom.

"Lennie!" he exclaimed. "You've got a four-poster bed and a fireplace? You're a secret romantic."

"Will you be serious for a moment and focus?" I hissed. "Given how long my family dinners are, it's likely they won't leave until late. Which means?—"

"Relax. I'll stay over so they won't suspect. I can crash on your couch."

"I've got a guest room."

"Even better. See, there's no problem. Tomorrow, we meet up with Elias about the divorce, and I'll head home. Then, in a few days, when everything calms, you can tell your family the truth."

"Okay, all right. That works," I replied.

"You need to relax," Payton urged and placed his hands on my shoulders, massaging the tense muscles. "It'll all work out. It was a mistake, but we'll fix it."

Even after all the madness of today, being here with him didn't feel like a mistake. He was standing so close, his pink lips a temptation that was getting harder and harder for me to ignore. But it was Payton's eyes that did me in every time. And having him here, in my home? In my bedroom? All those wild feelings he inspired, feelings I'd suppressed for so long, were now rushing to the surface.

I placed my hands on his waist and heard his sharp inhale. When he licked his lips, I leaned closer.

"Payton, I?—"

"Lennie! Payton!" My sister yelled up the stairs. "You've got a visitor!"

Another one?