“I don’t know. Because it was a long time ago?”
“Or she’s trying to play matchmaker! Oh, my gosh. Do you think that’s why she told me to spend the day with him? Was she hoping I’d sleep with him? I mean, I would have, but just when things started to get hot and heavy in the hotel room . . .”
“Wait! You were in a hotel room with him?”
I wave my hand at her. “It’s a long story.” I hold up my phone. “I know it’s late but I’m calling her.”
“Hey, Vanessa,” Keatyn answers in a really chipper voice. “How did your meeting with Dawson go?”
“Did you set me up with him? Are you trying to play matchmaker?”
“What? No! . . . Ohmigawd! Did you sleep with him? I told you to have a meeting with him, not sleep with him. Although, it wouldn't be a bad thing, Dawson is hot and you like hot guys.”
“Is that why you leased him a red Ferrari? Because you thought I’d like it?”
“A what?! No! Is that what he got? I told Tyler to pick out an exotic car that wasn’t too flashy.”
“Well, compared to Riley, that probably isn't flashy,” I mutter.
“Shit, Vanessa, I'm sorry. I didn’t know. Really. Are you just now getting home?”
“Yes.”
“From meeting with Dawson?”
“Yes.”
“That was a very long business meeting.”
“Fine. He complimented my lipstick, asked about my life, and next thing I knew we were getting a poolside suite so we could have lunch.”
“That was twelve hours ago.”
“Yes, I know exactly how long ago it was. We talked. I flirted with him. He sorta flirted back. What's his deal anyway? Why hasn't he worked for the last two years? And why was he living at home? And why did he bail when he had me naked and hornier than hell?”
“Oh . . . So, thing's did happen.”
“Fuck. I knew it. You knew I'd like him.”
“No, I didn't. I mean, I sorta maybe hoped. But I didn’t think it’d happen that fast. Dawson’s charm is more subtle.”
“His charm? What did this Whitney do to him? Did he love her so much that it broke him when she left?”
“Yeah, Vanessa. And you of all people should understand that. Give him some time. Dawson's one of the nicest people I've ever met.”
“If it weren't for the fact he and Riley look alike, I wouldn't believe they were related. He doesn't ooze sex appeal like Riley. Except, sometimes it slips out, I don’t think he can help it.”
“All the Johnson brothers ooze sex appeal. It's in their genes. Dawson is just more thoughtful and sweet. He's the kind of guy who sneaks up on you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you dated him?”
“It was for like a month, in high school.”
“And? Did you sleep with him?”
“Yeah.”
“Was it good?”
“I used to describe his kisses as molten lava hot and neither one of us were very experienced at that point.”
“His kisses were hotter than that,” I mutter.
“See, that's what happens when you grow up. You get better at everything. Obviously, if he had you naked. Wait, did you put the room on your credit card?”
“No, he said he would take care of it.”
“Shit. He doesn't have a corporate card yet. It's supposed to be here tomorrow.”
“Maybe he put it on a personal one.”
“But he, uh, never mind, I'll call and take care of it.”
“Keatyn, what the hell aren't you telling me?”
She sighs. “Look, Vanessa, this isn't my story to tell. Suffice it to say that Whitney did a number on him, and he's had a rough two years. Be nice to him. He doesn't need drama in his life. That's part of why I wanted him to come here.”
“Fine,” I say, hanging up the phone, more confused than I was when I started.
Dawson’s beach house - Malibu
DAWSON
My phone rings, just as I’m drying off from taking a cold shower.
“Hey, I know it's late,” Keatyn says. “But I just wondered how your first day went. Sorry I didn’t have more time to spend with you.”
“My first day—” How do I even describe it? “—was interesting.”
“Is everything okay? Do you like the house? I heard Tyler leased you a red Ferrari. I know that's not your style. I should’ve been more specific when I said low key. Compared to your brother . . .”
“It is low key,” I laugh. “It's hard being here without the girls.”
“They're coming out this weekend, right? Would you want to bring them to the vineyard? Dallas is bringing his four kids, the girls would have a blast, and if you move them here, they will already have friends. You could relax a little too. Drink some wine.”
“That sounds really nice. I'm a little worried about them flying by themselves, but Ava is ten going on twenty and she told me she can handle it. Thank you for getting them set up with a charter flight.”
“You're welcome. Why don't we change it and send them into Sonoma? You can fly up with me Friday afternoon and we’ll meet them there.”
“That would be great. Thanks, Keatyn.”