I throw the closet doors open and choose a black shirt with a wide spread collar, thread a Hermes belt through the loops, and decide not to wear a jacket.
There are a few different brands of cologne on a shelf but I forgo it and head to my meeting.
As I walk by Riley’s office, Vanessa steps out. “I understand you’re golfing this afternoon.”
“Uh, huh.”
“I’m told you will be done in time to accompany me to an event tonight. I’ll be at your house at eight.”
“Uh, okay,” I say, stumbling on my words.
“And your brother would like to see you before your meeting.”
I walk into my little brother’s office, forcing myself to be cool. “What’s up, Riley?”
“I asked Vanessa to accompany you to an event tonight,” he says with a grin that implies I’ll get laid.
“What kind of event?”
“Some sort of fundraiser for the Arts. Captive bought a table.”
“Will you be there?”
“Nah, after golf, I’m taking Jennifer to Vegas. We’re celebrating.”
“She signed the contract?”
“Yes, sir,” he says proudly. “Now, we’ll work on a more personal contract.” He studies me. “You look different. Did you change?”
“Tyler told me I should be more casual.”
Riley moves closer to me, studying me and narrowing his eyes. I tilt my neck slightly to the side, hoping to hide the mark. “You look happy.”
I smile. “I really think I’m going to like working at Captive Films.”
Vanessa’s Estate - Holmby Hills
VANESSA
“Ariela, is this crazy?” I ask, carefully sliding on another black stocking.
“Are you kidding? He’s going to love it.”
“But I lied to him. I told him we were going to the event when I have no intention of doing so.”
She laughs. “I don’t think he’ll mind.”
“So, tell me what Keatyn said when you talked to her,” I say.
‘Well, she told me they want to get married in less than three weeks. On October the eighteenth.”
“Can you do it?”
“She says the vineyard works regularly with an event company, so it shouldn’t be a problem getting flowers, tables, linens, things like that. I’m worried about a cake.”
“I’m sure any cake company would fit it in, just so they could brag about the wedding.”
“If we could do that, it would be easy. But she doesn’t want anyone to know it’s a wedding.”
“Right,” I say, knowing that, but trying to decide if I should do what I’m about to do is consuming my brain. “Which shoe do you like? No, I take that back. Which shoe will Dawson think is sexier?”
“That one,” she says, pointing to a black caged bootie with silver straps that have a bit of a dominatrix look. “And if I had to worry about a venue, I’d say it couldn’t be done, but it sounds like she’s got that covered. I just need to see it.”
“The vineyard is gorgeous. Acres and acres of grapes set on rolling hills. Their house is built on the highest point and from the back you can see the ocean.”
“She said something about a barn? I just can’t picture Keatyn getting married in a barn.”
“Oh, this isn’t just any barn. This is the barn Aiden built just for her parties. It’s gorgeous. All wood and beams. If it weren’t for the fact it’s in the shape of a barn, has barn doors, and is wood, you wouldn’t even call it a barn.”
“Oh, now you’re getting me excited!” Ariela says, her eyes wide and a big grin on her face. “Did I tell you I’m going there this weekend?”
“You did. But lie to me. Tell me it’s my outfit that has you excited and not the barn,” I joke, throwing on the fur coat. “Okay, here’s the full effect.”
“You look amazing. I should hug you before you leave, because I don’t think Dawson will let you out of bed all weekend.”
I laugh, hoping she’s right. “So were you able to get ahold of the investigator today?”
“Yeah,” she says with a sigh.
“Did he find out something, already?”
“Yeah. He got someone to follow Collin today. Guess where he went for lunch?”
“To her place?”
“Yep. I even have pictures.”
I sit on the bed and take her hand in mine. “I’m sorry.”
“I knew it was happening, you know,” she sniffles. “But seeing the proof. Seeing them kiss. There are other photos too. They didn’t bother to close the blinds. You could see their passion. It just reinforces what an idiot I was to have married him. He never, ever kissed me like that. They barely made it in the house. Did it on her couch.”
“And here I am going on about seducing Dawson. I’m sorry, really.”
“It’s okay.”
“You shouldn’t be alone tonight. I can do this a different night.”
“Are you kidding? Don’t you dare. Besides, I have a baby shower to go to.” She gives me a hug. “Now, get your sexy ass over to Dawson’s.”
My driver takes me to Malibu. I’m nervous, anxious, excited, and horny.
Mostly, horny.
Dawson told me our kiss was the best of his life.