Money

by Jillian Dodd

  “One I was thinking of is Chardonnay, since she’ll be at the vineyard, and she’s yellow.”

  “That’s cute.”

  “Another idea is Grigio, same reasons.”

  “Hmm. I don’t really like that one. What else have you got?”

  “Bliss.”

  “Oh, Aiden,” I say, my eyes filling with tears. “Do you remember?”

  “Vos lèvres sont mon béatitude. Of course, I remember telling you that your lips are my bliss, Boots.” He kisses me. “Especially because they still are.”

  “I love the name. It’s perfect for her.” I rub the puppy’s ears. “What do you think, Bliss?”

  The puppy lays her head on Aiden’s chest, sighs, and closes her eyes.

  “She’s in love with you, just like I am,” I tell Aiden, lying my head on his shoulder, sighing, and feeling pretty blissful myself. “When I went to my doctor’s appointment, he told me the date when we probably conceived. Remember the day we were up at the vineyard, and we took the Gator out, got caught in the rain, and ended up covered in mud?”

  “I remember you kissing me and telling me it reminded you of when we got caught in the rain that night at the Cave in high school.”

  “That was one of the best kisses of my entire life,” I confess. “So was the one in the mud, apparently.”

  “You think that’s when we got pregnant?”

  “It had to be. You’d been traveling, and I’d been filming. Remember, we met up there for the weekend?”

  “I do remember,” he says, gently caressing my face. “I also remember you laughing, stripping off my clothes, and telling me I was a filthy boy.”

  “Things got dirtier after that,” I laugh. “I just thought that was kind of fun. It was spur of the moment. One of the best kisses of my life followed by one of the best sexual experiences of my life—that resulted in us being pregnant.”

  He picks the puppy up off his chest and gently puts her in her kennel. When he gets back in bed, he pulls me close and gives me another one of his amazing kisses.

  Which definitely leads to something more.

  Shelby’s Bungalow - Sunset Boulevard

  SHELBY

  Riley walks into my bungalow—doesn’t that just sound so cool, my bungalow—and I’m waiting with drink in hand. He’s been coming over every night, and even though he says he doesn’t do commitment, he sure seems committed to learning more about me.

  Although, we’ve done more fucking than talking, he did take me to a charity event last night. Which I thought was a positive step. And I looked totally ah-mazing in one of the evening gowns I bought this week. Okay, so technically I didn’t buy it. And I’m going to have to figure out something quick. Although I have a very nice roof over my head and all the spa, food, and drinks I could want, I’m going to need some money, and I haven’t worked in a while.

  Not to mention, my boss is threatening to fire me if I don’t work this weekend. But I’ll be honest, I’d rather stay here than work.

  Riley takes his suit jacket off and makes himself at home.

  “I ordered us a romantic dinner to be served here,” I tell him. “Thought we could stay in tonight.”

  “That sounds good,” he says, pulling off his tie. “It’s been a busy day. What did you do?”

  “I had a doctor’s appointment,” I lie.

  “What did he say? Everything progressing well?”

  Oh, yes, I think, things are progressing perfectly—except for one minor detail.

  “He said my blood pressure was a bit high and suggested I stay off my feet. I’m back on the schedule at work next week, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”

  “How much do you make there, including tips?”

  I give him a number that is about double what I really make.

  “Wow, that’s not bad,” he whistles.

  I prance over next to him, letting him get an eyeful of my chest. “What can I say? Guys like to look, and as long as I don’t mind and bring them their drinks, they tip well.”

  “If the doctor wants you off your feet, you need to listen to him. Why don’t you look for a job doing something where you can sit?”

  “No one is going to hire someone who is pregnant, Riley.”

  “You can’t even tell you’re pregnant.”

  “I’ll be showing soon enough.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll give you an allowance of what you usually make while you look for a job. How’s that sound?”

  “Oh, Riley! You are so wonderful!” I allow myself to fall across his lap and then kiss his neck.

  Unfortunately, the doorbell rings.

  I give his crotch a squeeze as I get up. “Maybe we should skip dinner and go straight to dessert.”

  He chases after me, slapping my ass. “Why don’t I let room service in while you go get naked?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  I go into the bedroom and strip down, deciding to put on one of the new pieces of lingerie I bought. This gown is a gorgeous silk and lace chemise, and it’s very different from my usual sex-store stuff.

  But it still shows off my body. My boobs are spilling out over the front, and my ass is showcased by the short hemline.

  Riley will love it. Especially once he sees what I ordered for dinner.

  “This is an interesting meal,” he says, carrying the tray of chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate sauce, and freshly made whipped cream into the bedroom. “You’re not naked.”

  “What do you think of what I’m wearing?”

  He brushes his hand across the silk. “It’s too pretty to get covered in chocolate. Take it off.” I do as he asks. I love when he’s bossy and commanding. “Undress me, then cover me with something on this tray, and eat it off.”

  I strip off the lingerie and am unzipping his pants when his phone rings.

  He looks at the number, says, “I need to take this,” and steps out of the room.

  I carefully open the door just a bit so I can eavesdrop. And based on the gentle tone of his voice, I know he’s talking to her.

  And we can’t have that.

  Shelby’s Bungalow - Sunset Boulevard

  RILEY

  “Riley, we were supposed to talk this week,” Ariela says to me when I take the call. “I know you were upset over the note, but at Eastbrooke we promised to put the past behind us and focus on our future. On if we have a future.”

  “I wanted that, but now I’m not sure about all this. I can’t begin to understand why you did what you did to me.”

  “I can’t understand why you never contacted me either. You act like you’re the only one who got hurt. I knew I was going to hurt you, Riley, but I never imagined you’d completely give up on us.”

  “I can’t deal with this right now. We’ll talk this weekend,” I say then hang up.

  Just as I end the call, the doorbell rings again. I answer it to find room service with a full-blown steak dinner.

  “Hey, Shelby, get dressed. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  She comes out—naked this time—and sits down at the table. “Did I hear you saying something about this weekend?”

  “Yeah, I have an out-of-town event to attend.”

  “Oh, how fun! What should I pack? Do I need to get anything new?”

  Part of me wants to take her to the wedding so that I can show Ariela I don’t need her.

  I really don’t understand my desire to hurt Ariela when all I’ve ever wanted to do is love her. But if I take Shelby, I’m pretty sure we’d never get back together. I’d be putting the final nail in our love coffin.

  And I’m not ready to do that.

  “No, it’s a small private event. Friends and family only.”

  “Where is it?”

  “Northern California. Wine country.”

  “Keatyn and Aiden have a winery up there. Is that where you’re going?”

  “No,” I lie. “It's just a fundraiser.”

  “A fundraiser for friends and family
only? That sounds more like a wedding. Surely, you can bring a guest.”

  “I’m going to be busy and wouldn’t be able to entertain you.”

  “I can entertain myself. It would be good to get away.”

  “Except the doctor suggested you stay off your feet. You’d be on your feet at this event, so it’s probably best for you and the baby to stay put.”

  “But—” she presses. “Maybe I’ll stowaway in your suitcase.”

  “Look, Shelby, I’ve been here every night trying to get to know you better.”

  “I’ll say. Last night you got to know my ass pretty up close and personal.”

  I stop eating and put my fork down. “You’re right. I did. Is that not something you’d like to continue?”

  “What? No. I love sex with you, Riley. I never know what to expect.” She gives me a very intimate and sexy look. The kind that should cause my dick to salute her. Except that what Ariela said to me keeps running through my head. “It sounds like you’re confusing my wanting to get to know you on a personal level with getting to know you on a sexual level. No offense to you, but I don’t have a problem finding women to sleep with. So maybe we should take sex out of the equation so as not to further complicate our already complicated situation.”

  She doesn’t reply.

  I look at my watch. Knox texted me earlier and told me to meet him at the club. He exaggerated and said we haven’t been out in forever. I told him I’d see him all weekend, but he said it’s hardly the same thing.

  I finish off the rest of my meal and set my napkin down.

  “Thanks for dinner,” I tell her, like she had something to do with its preparation and trying not to think about what’s still waiting for us in the bedroom. After talking to Ariela, my dick probably wouldn’t cooperate anyway. It seems to have a crush. “I’ve got to get going.”

  “What? But, daddy,” she pouts. “We haven’t had dessert yet.”

  “Sorry, I’ll have to take a rain check on that.” I kiss her cheek. “Take it easy, stay off your feet, and have a good weekend. I’ll call you when I get back in town.”

  She tries to kiss me on the lips, but I move too fast and manage to escape.

  I look down at my phone and see that Ariela sent me a text. Just seeing her name pop up on the screen makes my heart hurt. Maybe my brother is right.

  Ariela: You hung up on me. Please don’t do that. I’m calling you back. Will you answer and talk to me, please?”

  I call her back instead.

  “We don't have to decide at the wedding, Riley,” she says softly. God, I love the sound of her voice. “Once it’s over, I can come back to L.A. if you want to hang out. Don’t laugh, but do you remember the date that never ended in the music video we shot and how we recreated it that day? All the fun stuff we did? I want to do it again.”

  My heart sinks into my stomach as I remember how beautiful she looked. I can still picture her little blue dress fluttering around her legs as she ran through waves. “We made love under the pier that night.”

  “That was one of the best parts of the date. And it’s okay if you can’t do it, but I’m going to. I want to revisit all those magical places.”

  “Once the wedding is over, I'm taking a few days off myself. I’d like to go with you, Ariela. But that’s all I can promise.”

  “That’s all I’m asking for. See you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow,” I say, my heart practically singing with joy at the thought.

  As soon as I hang up, I get another text from Knox.

  Knox: We’re waiting.

  Me: Who’s we?

  Knox: Me and your brother. He’s drunk and brokenhearted. It’s a horrible combination for picking up women. I can see why you didn’t want to hang out with me after the makeup bitch. Please send help.

  When I get to the club, I find them in the VIP section, as expected.

  Knox points toward Dawson, who’s staring at his phone. “Miss Bossy Pants.”

  “He’s in love with her,” I state.

  “Yeah, but he’s either too fucking stubborn or too fucking stupid to do something about it. Apparently, that trait runs in the family. I heard you’ve been shacking up with Shelby.”

  “I’m not shacking up with her.”

  “You’ve been with her every night since Ariela let you read the stupid note.”

  “How do you even know about that?”

  “Keatyn and I work together every day. Between her and Tyler, they know everything.”

  I roll my eyes.

  “So I brought you here to give you some advice.” He hands me a shot of tequila. “Stop playing hide the salami with the baby mama. And before you go on about the note, I’m going to tell you that you’re behaving like a fucking idiot. And if Ariela is still single at the wedding, she’s free game, and Knox will be on the hunt.”

  My blood starts to boil just like it did that night at dinner when I broke my hand. I look down at the splint still on it, reliving the pain I felt when I punched the tree along with the spot-on thing Grandpa Douglas asked. What hurts worse, Hollywood? Your hand or your heart?

  Since Ariela has come back into my life, my heart has hurt worse than ever before.

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  “And fucking Shelby is the path of least resistance?”

  I nod.

  “Is that what you want out of life, Riley? I just bought a fucking house on the hill. I’m building a studio with Keatyn. I’m going to settle down. I think it’s time we both do. I mean, look at all these girls,” he continues, pointing out to the dance floor. “It’s not like going home to the same woman every night. Although I know that the makeup girl was a bitch, and I’m glad to be rid of her, I do miss coming home to someone. We have everything, Riley. It’s time we let ourselves share it. Now, go take your drunk brother home before I throw him to the wolves.”

  I look at Dawson and sigh. It’s hard to give advice to someone when you won’t take it yourself.

  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17th

  Captive Films - Santa Monica

  RILEY

  “Are you ready for this?” Keatyn asks me, as we make our way into the boardroom. “It’s weird, really. You’ll be announced as chairman and then your first order of business will be the sale of the company. Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?”

  I put my arm around her and give her a squeeze. “You know we are.”

  “It’s hard though. To work so hard and then give it all up.”

  “We aren’t giving it up, Keatyn,” Dallas says. “We’re cashing out. We should be celebrating.”

  “We will be tonight,” I say, trying to help her focus on the positive.

  After a successful meeting, we get all the employees together to tell them the news. Dallas hands out fake checks that show them how much their stock options will be worth when the deal closes.

  It’s safe to say based on the screams of joy, the tears, and the grateful hugs, that they’re for the sale.

  And their celebration seems to ease Keatyn’s mind.

  “That went better than I expected,” she says, as we get settled on the plane to Sonoma, along with Knox, Grandpa Douglas, Dawson, and Vanessa.

  “So are you excited for the wedding?” Vanessa asks Keatyn.

  “Yes, I just hope it all turns out the way I imagined it would. I didn’t give Ariela much time to pull it together, so I’m going to try not to stress.”

  “Well, my job as your maid of honor is to make sure you have a stress-free wedding. Kym said we’ll have a busy morning tomorrow trying on dresses.”

  “We will. I can’t believe I’m getting married in twenty-four hours and still don’t know what I’m wearing. But Kym always comes through.”

  “When is the family coming up?”

  “Not until tomorrow. On Sunday, before we leave for our honeymoon, we’ll do our typical family birthday celebration for the girls. Anymore, it’s so hard to get us all in one place. Ivery leaves Sunday night
for a concert in Spain, and Emery has a shoot in New York.”

  “I heard you took over publicity for Ashlyn Roberts,” Knox says to Vanessa. “When are you going to work with me?”

  “Whenever you ask.”

  “I’d like you to do the publicity for me and Keatyn’s new project. She slipped it to the press the other night, so I figure we should drop a more few more hints while the time is right.”

  “I can do that,” Vanessa says.

  I notice that Dawson and Vanessa aren’t sitting beside each other. Actually, I don’t think they’ve even spoken to each other since we left the office.

  He looks miserable and I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with his hangover.

  “You working?” I ask, sitting down next to him.

  “Yeah, just going through emails. With the sale, everyone has a lot of questions.”

  “What do they want to know?”

  “Mostly, what’s next for the three of you.”

  “And have you told them?”

  “Not yet. But I at least wanted to reply.”

  I lower my voice. “Based on the way you’re ignoring Vanessa, I’m assuming you didn’t take my advice.”

  “No, I didn’t. I think it’s best that we go our separate ways.”

  “Why? She makes you fucking happy.”

  “Speaking of fucking. If you love Ariela—which I know you do—why are you still fucking Shelby?”

  I shake my head. “Fuck if I know.”

  “I do know, actually,” he tells me. “Because it’s easier to do that than risk your heart again.”

  The pilot lets us know we’re cleared for takeoff, so I go back to my seat next to Keatyn. Although I’d like to help my brother, all he’s going to do is turn it around on me. And I don’t need to deal with that right now.

  We need to be celebrating.

  Besides, we’ll be in Sonoma soon enough.

  “Whatcha reading?” I ask Keatyn, who is studying something on her phone.

  She rolls her eyes and shows me an article.