Which makes me smile.
As the owner of the boutique public relations firm that handles her publicity, I know that it’s mostly my doing. Sure, she has talent for days, but I help keep her on the front pages of magazines and in the spotlight. And since I’ve taken over a teeny chunk of Captive Film’s PR, Riley and Keatyn are being touted on the latest Majority magazine, where Riley is looking completely delicious. If it weren’t for the fact that I’ve been trying to get him to outsource their movie publicity for years, I’d have already slept with him.
But in the last two years, I’ve sworn off men.
A very good looking man, who I know on a very personal level, says, “Vanessa, darling. It’s been too long.”
I let him air kiss my cheeks but quickly leave to go greet Keatyn.
“I’m not buying anything from him,” I tell her. “He was awkward and annoying in bed. He also didn’t understand the concept of no strings.”
Okay, so I haven’t sworn off men completely. I just use them for sex and never allow my heart to get involved.
Keatyn giggles when she looks behind me. “Ohmigawd, is that the guy who fucked like a rabbit?”
“Shush. Yes. When did he start working here?”
“He doesn’t work here, silly. He’s shopping, see?”
I turn around and see him looking at engagement rings. Poor girl.
Keatyn continues. “So, I called Tristan on the way here. We’ll be having a private showing. He’s been loaning me jewels since my first walk on the red carpet.”
Tristan introduces himself, kisses Keatyn, and whisks us off the showroom floor.
“What do you have in mind, Ms. Flanning?”
“Call me Vanessa, please,” I coo, not sure why Keatyn never introduced us before. Probably because I pictured him as a little old French man, not the handsome, sophisticated one kissing my hand.
“Absolutely, Vanessa,” he says, his French accent making me crave both a glass of Bordeaux and him in my bed.
“We’re celebrating her divorce being final,” Keatyn tells him. “She needs something obnoxiously large—nothing red, her ex was into red. Red cars, red rubies . . .”
“Don’t forget redheads,” I add sarcastically.
“I see,” Tristan says. “I will be back with some baubles for you to peruse.”
The minute he walks out the door, I say, “Why didn’t you tell me Tristan is hot?”
“You were married, maybe? Then you swore off men. He’s cute, right?”
“Yeah, he’s cute. And just his accent has my panties wet.”
Keatyn laughs out loud. “You crack me up. Are you sure you’re doing okay today?”
“I’m fine. Glad it’s finally over. I mean, Bam and I haven’t been together for almost two years. Who knew a divorce could take so long? All I know is I’m damn glad we were married and lived in California. God bless California’s community property laws.”
“I have a quick favor to ask you. I invited Ariela to lunch with us. She’s in California. Do you remember her from the summer when we filmed A Day at the Lake 2?”
“She was Riley’s girlfriend, right? They were adorable together. What ever happened to her?”
“Her dad forbade her to follow Riley here for college. Threatened to cut her off. Riley told her that they’d figure something out, even asked her to marry him, but she chose not to go. I don’t think he’s ever gotten over it.”
“Is that why he always dates blonde bimbos?”
“I think so. She’s getting a divorce.”
“As in she hasn’t gotten one yet?”
“She hasn’t even filed.”
“Sounds like trouble.”
“Something else I need to tell you,” she says, lowering her voice. “Aiden and I are getting married in three weeks. I was hoping you would stand up with me.”
“You want me, your friend who hates the institution of marriage, to stand up for you at your wedding?”
She gives me her blazing smile. The one that sells all those magazines. “Yes.”
I hug her, trying not to cry. “I’d be honored.”
“I’m also pregnant,” she whispers in my ear. “You’re the only person who knows, besides Aiden. And, well, Doctor K. That was my appointment today. I don’t want the press to know. And I don’t want the press to know about the wedding.”
Tristan comes back in with velvet trays full of jewelry, before I can reply. I reach down and give her hand a little squeeze.
“I brought numerous jewels for you to look at, but I have one, which I think will cause you to look no further. It’s a statement piece that has a philosophical meaning.” He holds out a stunning ring. “The Diamond Lotus Ring. Platinum setting featuring twelve pair-shaped diamonds, two hundred and forty-eight round brilliant diamonds, and weighing 4.62 carats.”
“Lotus means rebirth,” Keatyn offers.
“Yes, exactly,” Tristan confirms.
I hold up my left ring finger, so he can slide it on, but he says, “Oh, no, no. This goes here.”