“We gonna have to sell this one to a cable network?” I ask, looking at the sexy ad with the words Daddy’s Angel across the top of a very scantily clad girl tossing her halo away.
“This one,” I say, picking up the face of the girl who looks like she could handle the role of hellcat.
“But I think this one,” she disagrees, going for the girl who looks more like a repressed daughter of a small town minister.
“Remind me of the storyline again.” I haven’t really been involved in this project much. It’s one of Keatyn’s babies.
“Basically the girl is screwing her way through her daddy’s congregation, while he’s online trying to find someone to come court her.”
“Court her?”
“Yeah, the old fashioned way. No sex before marriage. Hell, they can’t hold hands until they are engaged.”
“Seriously? People do that?”
“I guess so.”
“What’s gonna happen when Daddy finds out she’s not a virgin?”
“The script is hilarious and sexy. And he doesn’t. But the crazy thing is she actually falls in love with one of the suitors.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. And what’s funny is he isn’t the good guy Daddy thinks he is.”
“Bring them both in, then, and we’ll see,” I decide, handing Tyler the sheets. “And book me dinner tonight, somewhere kinda swanky.”
“How many, boss?”
“How many do you think?”
“Uh, two? But . . .”
“Shelby, again?” Keatyn interrupts, rolling her eyes.
“If I wasn’t fucking her, she could play this role. She’s a freak in bed.”
“I doubt she’d be very convincing as an angel,” Keatyn mutters as Dallas strides in and asks, “Who’s a freak in bed?”
“Shelby.” I glance at my watch. “Wow, seven o’clock. That’s really early for you, Dallas.”
“Shit,” Keatyn says. “I have to be on set soon. And, Tyler can’t book you reservations. You’re having dinner at my house, remember? With Dallas and RiAnne. We’re celebrating.”
“Shit, I forgot.”
“Is it bad if I ask you not to bring Shelby?”
Riley rolls his eyes. “Jeez, you think I’m stupid? I couldn’t bring her to your house. She’d think we’re serious.”
“Riley, trust me, she already thinks you’re serious.”
“No, she doesn’t.”
“Yeah, she does,” Dallas interjects. “You can’t take a girl to three premieres in three different cities and not have her think it’s serious.”
“Whatever. She knows it’s just for fun. I’ve been very clear about that. But you’re probably right. I shouldn’t see her again. So, Dallas, you wanna go grab some breakfast?”
“Can’t. I have an audit committee meeting I have to prepare for.”
Tyler shakes his head at me. “You don’t have time for breakfast either, boss. You have a meeting with the release team. They’re dying to impress you with the opening box office numbers.”
“I’m having Vanessa’s company do the publicity for Daddy’s Angel,” Keatyn interjects.
Tyler pulls a magazine out of a stack of papers in his hand. “She sure did a brilliant job with this.”
I glance at the popular women’s magazine and see one of the photos from the cover shoot Keatyn and I did together. Hell, they even talked me into being shirtless in a couple of the pictures.
“I look damn good, don’t I, Tyler?”
“Yeah, you do, boss. Must be all the sex, because you haven’t worked out for five days straight.”
“I’ve been traveling for the premieres. Give me a fucking break.”
Tyler walks off. “I’m just saying.”
Keatyn and Dallas are both snickering as they walk away.
Shopping - Santa Monica
ARIELA
I've only been in Santa Monica for three days but I already love it.
Being back on the beach reminds me of when I was last here. It was the summer before our senior year. I had talked my parents into letting me spend the summer with Keatyn. I didn’t really mention anything about the movie or the fact that I’d be spending most of my time with Riley.
During filming, I got to see all that goes into making a movie.
Really, it was like planning a large event. Lots of details and making sure everything is just right.
I spent my first day here catching up with my two college friends, the one I’m staying with and the other, who is pregnant and is expecting her first child in a few months.
Today, they both had to work, so I’ve been wandering around town, getting myself reacquainted with it. Because yesterday, when the three of us were relaxing on the beach, I made a decision.
I’m not going home.
I mean, I’ll have to go back, pack up my things, get a divorce, and all that, but I’m going to live here from now on.
Whether I ever see Riley again or not.
Coming here was as much my dream as it was his.
And it’s about time I start living my life doing what I want.
Not what my dad wants.
Not what Collin wants.
What I want.