“It certainly made me realize what’s important. It made me grow up. And that includes listening to Aiden even when I don’t agree with him.”
“You don’t agree on something?”
“Yes, he’s worried about Ariela being back in our life. Says we don’t know her and I shouldn’t be so quick to trust her. What if I ask her to plan my wedding and she tells everyone when it is? We figured we’d tell everyone, like the vendors, that it’s a fundraiser for Moon Wish . . .”
“If the press finds out, it will be a nightmare with helicopters flying overhead and all that.”
“Exactly what I don’t want.”
“Let’s put out a statement about your engagement. Then I’ll spread word that you’re thinking of a spring wedding in Paris.”
“That sounds good. And you’ll give me your opinion on Ariela after lunch?”
“Absolutely.”
Keatyn and I are the first to arrive at the restaurant. We’re in the process of being seated when RiAnne waddles her way through the tables, looking like if she coughed too hard she would burst. Ariela and Peyton follow closely behind her.
Ariela looks exactly the way I remember her. Tall, pretty, great eyes, and a sincere smile. She walks right up to me and gives me a hug like I’m her long lost best friend. “Vanessa! It’s so good to see you. You look amazing!”
“Thank you. I understand you’re getting a divorce?” I say, cutting to the chase as we sit down. I think we need to find out what this girl is up to.
The waiter takes our drink orders and as soon as he’s stepped away from the table, she replies, “Have you ever had one of those moments where you knew you had to change your life?”
I nod, because I know exactly what she means, but the rest of the girls are squinting their eyes.
“I’m sure you all want to know why I’m here. I’d want to know too. I thought it was dumb luck I ran into Keatyn at the store the other day, but it feels more like it’s exactly what was supposed to happen. I came here to see Riley. I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have listened to my dad. I shouldn’t have gotten married. I knew it even before I found out he was cheating.”
“I’m sorry you got cheated on,” I say to her. “I know how that feels. What triggered your decision? When you found out about his cheating?”
“No, I had known that for a while. Two things made me snap, I guess you could say.”
“What?” Peyton asks, as Keatyn pats her growing baby bump.
“I told my mom he was having an affair and she told me that successful men often have liaisons, but they can still be wonderful, loving husbands and good fathers.”
“Bullshit,” RiAnne coughs.
Peyton, RiAnne, and Keatyn, who have relationships to envy, laugh.
I don’t.
I understand. Bam’s mother said something similar to me when I told her why we were getting a divorce.
“Then, I went to a coffee shop and saw Riley—and you, Keatyn—on the cover of a magazine. I cancelled my appointments for the afternoon and went and saw the trilogy. I hadn’t seen any of the movies until then.”
“The Keatyn Chronicles?” Keatyn asks. I watch as a lot of expressions cross her face, ending teary-eyed. “So, you saw how much he loved you? How crazy he was for you? How he was afraid to even text you?”
“Did you really do it for him? Like in the movie?”
Keatyn nods. “I did. I was shocked he included the picture of you from the wrap party.”
“That’s what really did it. After the movie, I went home, packed a bag, and the shoebox full of memories I had hidden in the back of my closet, and hopped on a plane. I’m crashing on my friend’s couch. She’s married and has three young children. It’s a little chaotic. Hopefully, I’ll find a job out here soon. And somewhere to live.”
“You can live with me,” I say, surprising myself. “I have a guest house and a hot cabana boy. He’s gay, but you’d never know from looking at him. He’s great for your ego and he’s training to be a masseuse.”
“Are you sure?” both RiAnne and Ariela ask me.
“Yes, I’m sure. I have more space than I know what to do with.” I decide to change the subject. “So, Peyton, how is our favorite rock star doing?”
“Damian’s good. He’s on tour. We decided it was just too much to try and take the kids this time. Jagger just started kindergarten and Jett’s loving preschool. You know Damian was tutored most of his life. He wants our kids to have a more traditional upbringing.”
“As traditional as you can get when your dad is Damian Moran,” I say.
The waiter interrupts us, takes our orders, and refills our water.
“Yeah, well the kids don’t really have a sense of that. They just know Daddy is on a work trip. And this tour is only four weeks. He wants to be home before the baby comes.”
“Have you agreed on a name yet? Dallas and I are still fighting over this one,” RiAnne says, patting the top of her belly. “We decided five was enough. I’m going to have my tubes tied.”
“I’m pretty sure we decided on Cash,” Peyton says.
“That’s really cute. They all have little rocker names,” Ariela says. “Peyton, do you work outside the home?”
“I have my own business. I design wallpaper and have a successful decorating blog. And I’ve always done interiors for my friends.”
“Our Malibu beach house wouldn’t look nearly as beautiful as it does if it weren’t for Peyton,” Keatyn says, smiling.
“And I have a lot of her wallpaper in my house,” I tell Ariela. “The main bedroom in the guest house has a feature wall done in one of her gorgeous metallics.”
“The guest house has more than one bedroom?” Ariela asks me.
“Vanessa married really, really well,” RiAnne tells Ariela then she turns to me. “Speaking of that, was today the day?”
“Yes. After a long two years, my divorce is final. I’m a very free and very rich woman. And, certainly, my law degree came in handy.”
“It’s come in handy for me, as well, when you have to threaten to sue the tabloids,” Keatyn says, looking tired all of a sudden.
I smile at her, happy she’s finally going to have a baby with Aiden. And get married. As most of her friends would say, it’s about time for both. I also can’t help but feel a little smug that she’s told only me she’s pregnant. That she trusts me.
And after what I’ve been through, she has no idea how much that means to me.
When our food is served, Keatyn raises her glass of water in the air. “I think we should have a toast. To new beginnings, fresh starts, and rings from Harry Winston.”
“Rings from Harry Winston?” RiAnne asks, her eyes big.
“How can you not notice that new mass of diamonds on her hand?” Keatyn laughs, pointing at my purchase.
“That’s real? I thought it was costume jewelry.”
“Nope, I decided to commemorate today with a gift for myself. Keatyn helped me pick it out.”
“Vanessa just sat there and drooled,” Keatyn says.
“Over Tristan or the diamonds?” Peyton asks.
“The diamonds, but Tristan is a cutie. I can’t believe you all knew how hot he was and never introduced me.”
My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.
If you are ready for a new beginning, I’d love to take you to dinner- Tristan
I laugh. “He just texted and asked me to dinner!”
“You should go. Maybe he gets a discount,” RiAnne laughs. “Dallas would probably appreciate that. He usually buys me a piece of jewelry after every baby.”
“That’s so romantic,” Peyton says. “Speaking of romantic, Keatyn, tell us what Aiden said at the top of the freaking Eiffel Tower.”
“It’s all kind of a blur,” Keatyn says, but I know her. I know she memorized everything Aiden said to her and wrote it down. “Just about how he promised me a life better than anything I ever scripted. It was romantic. Sweet. Everything that boy do
es makes me swoon. I’m really lucky.”
“Speaking of that, I think you should enlist Ariela to help with your wedding.” I say it out loud, knowing Keatyn’s been waiting for my assessment of her. “Have you ever had to plan a wedding really fast?” I ask Ariela.
“Are you getting married really fast?” Ariela asks Keatyn.
Keatyn keeps her voice low and says, “I’d love to talk to you about it. We’ve been thinking about a spring wedding in France.”
“Oh, that’s not that fast.”
“Why don’t you come up to the vineyard this weekend? We can discuss it.”
“Will Riley be there?”
“No, just Dallas and the kids, my grandparents, me and Aiden. Oh, and if you want, you could maybe see Maggie and Logan. Logan runs the day to day operations of Asher Vineyards and Maggie handles all the events there.”
“That sounds fun. I’d love to. And I’d love to see them. I feel bad. Maggie was one of my best friends.”
“So when do you want to move in?” I ask Ariela. We don’t need to rehash old news.
“As soon as possible?” she asks.
“Perfect. Lunch is on me today, ladies. Ariela, would you have time now to go see your new digs?”
“That sounds amazing. Thank you. I’ll go get my things and meet you there.”
While she stops at the ladies room, I give everyone a hug goodbye, giving Keatyn a longer one.
“I think what you’re doing for her is really nice,” she says.
“I can relate to what she’s going through. Who knows, maybe we’ll even become friends.”
“Still, it’s really nice.” She looks at her watch. “Shit, I’ve got to go. Three o’clock call time.”
“Take care of yourself,” I tell her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Vanessa’s Estate - Holmby Hills
ARIELA
The GPS system in my car takes me to a gated palatial home. I press the call button, praying I'm at the right house and that someone doesn't see my rented Chevy and call the cops.
No one says anything through the intercom but the gates grind open, so I pull through.
My parents are well off. Riley's family and most of the friends I had at Eastbrooke came from affluent families. But I've never seen a home quite like this. It looks like something a Spanish prince would own. Terra cotta stucco sits under a tile roof. Paned arched windows set in dark mahogany open to iron Juliet balconies. There is a massive hand carved wooden door at least twice my height at the entrance.
The door opens and Vanessa says, “I’ll have Chad grab your bags.”
“Um, this is all I have,” I say, holding up my suitcase and carry-on.
“I thought you said you moved here.”
“Not completely.”
Chad takes my bags as Vanessa leads me into a large living space featuring wood beamed trusses and a stone fireplace the size of a garage.
“I’m a little awestruck by this house,” I say, hoping I don't sound stupid.
“It is pretty amazing. My ex, Bam, was a professional polo player from Argentina. His family holdings are vast but are mostly in oil, refineries, diamond mines, and yacht manufacturing. We were secretly married when I was nineteen. We were officially engaged after I finished law school. This house was my engagement gift. Seven bedroom suites, ten bathrooms, separate catering kitchen, large screening room, incredible gym and massage room, walk-in wine cellar, and art gallery. It sits on ten acres, which feature a three-bedroom guest suite, championship tennis court, pool with grotto, and an equestrian center."
“It's amazing.”
“Let’s go outside and have a drink by the pool.”
Once we’re seated by the pool, she says, “Tell me how you moved here with just one bag.”
I let out a big sigh. “When I came here, I did it on a whim. I packed quickly before I lost my nerve. My goal was to see Riley again. I wanted to tell him I was sorry and that I made a mistake. I saw in the magazine article that he was still single. So I packed up and here I am.”
“Interesting.”
“But then I got here and decided that I shouldn’t see him until I got my life together. I wanted to find a job and a place to live first. I made the decision to stay in California before I ran into Keatyn. I realized that it wasn’t just about him. It’s what I wanted. I can’t say it will be easy though. That’s part of why I wanted to get settled before I looked him up. My family will be mad when they learn I want a divorce. They love Collin.”
“It doesn’t matter if your family loves him. The important question is, do you? You need to know the answer to that before you drag Riley into your mess. Haven't you put him through enough?”
I lower my head. “Yeah, I have. I don’t want to hurt Riley. I never wanted to hurt him.”
“I’m not saying you shouldn't go through with it. I'm just saying do what you want, not what you think he'd want.”
“I don't love Collin,” I mutter. “My dad talked me into marrying him. He's the son of family friends. We went to the same college and I tried to love him. I really did. We dated, he was cute, my parents approved. Getting engaged and married was expected. I told my dad on my wedding day that I didn't think I could go through with it. I knew I shouldn't, but he told me cold feet were normal, that he was the man for me, and drug me down the aisle.” I keep rambling. Other than the kid from the coffee shop, I’ve haven’t told anyone how I’ve been feeling. “Status and conspicuous consumption turn him on. He wants me to quit my job and have kids because it makes him look stable and successful—not because he really wants them. Who knows, maybe I had some kind of breakdown.”
“Or maybe you’d just had enough. Hit your breaking point,” Vanessa offers. “What did you tell him?”
“Originally, I just left a note that said I came here because a friend needed me. But when I spoke to him the other day, I told him I wanted a divorce.”
“How did he take it?”
“He started begging. Told me he'd give up the secretary. That she was a mistake. That I was the only girl he ever loved. Whatever. I have a call with Annie Johnson tomorrow. Hopefully, the fact that's she's Riley's sister-in-law won't keep her from helping me.”
“I can help you find a good attorney, if need be.” She looks at her watch.
“So, I have a party to attend tonight. Why don't I show you where you'll be staying and then you can freshen up. We'll leave at seven-thirty.”
“You want me to come with you?”
“Yes. It will be a little boring, but it’s always fun to get dressed up.”
“I didn’t bring anything formal.”
She studies me. “I’ll have Chad bring you a selection of dresses to try on.”
“Thank you,” I say.
As she drops me off at the guest house, she says, “One thing I wanted to tell you. You better not jerk my friends around. They graciously, and maybe a little too quickly, accepted you back into their lives. You owe them some respect.”
“I know. And I’m very grateful to you for letting me stay here.”
She smiles at me. “We have a lot in common. But we’ll save that conversation for another day.”
CHAPTER SIX
Hotel Ballroom - Beverly Hills
RILEY
Sometimes Hollywood parties get old with the same boring food and same boring people. But it’s been more fun since Knox broke up with his girlfriend. I have someone I can party with and who can actually pay his own way. He can get into places even I can’t just because of his famous face.
Just to be clear, I’m talking about establishments and VIP areas that money can’t buy. Not girls’ panties; I have him beat in that department. Girls want him but only the bold will approach him.
He sets two drinks in front of us. “Did you see that chick in the yellow dress? I can honestly say I’ve never seen boobs that big up close. And they look real. Did you see them? Did they look real to you?”
“Harder to tell nowadays. But, ye
s, they sag a little in a way that fake ones don’t. I think she’s blessed.”
“I want to bless her with my dick.”
“Keatyn said she had to work late tonight. Why aren’t you?”
“We’ve been doing some green screen stuff. Tonight they are working on shots where she’s alone. But starting tomorrow, we’ll be doing sex scenes. Tough job lying in bed all day kissing Keatyn Douglas.” He laughs. “I remember the first time we did a sex scene. I told her in advance that I was sorry if I got hard and I was also sorry if I didn’t.”
“Ha. I suppose it’s a double-edged sword. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
“Exactly. If you don’t get hard, they get pissed and think you’re not attracted to them. If you do get hard, they get pissed because you are. And depending on what’s going on off camera with the actress you are with, that can get a little dicey. Part of why I need to get laid tonight. Don’t want to go there all horny. Sex scenes are tough.”
“Yeah, yeah, you all say that. But you’re the one rolling around almost naked with a hot chick.”
“The worst thing ever is to have to do a sex scene with someone you’re not attracted to. It’s grueling.”
“But with Keatyn?”
He smiles. “I’ve never minded it. And after all these years, it’s natural between us. Easy, I guess. And when I’m basically naked in front of the crew, even though it’s always a closed set, I usually don’t get hard. But when we’re clothed, sometimes I do. Obviously, I would not be a good fit for the porn industry. Aiden has been there for some of them. That’s awkward.”
“I’m sure. I remember when we shot the love scenes with her and Jake. I made him leave. Jake kept sneaking peeks in Aiden’s direction. It threw the whole thing off. As the director, you’d think it would be hot. But most the time the actresses’ contract is running through your head, like we can show breast but no nipple or side of the buttock only. So you’re trying to do the shots in ways where you’re not wasting camera time.”
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