Plus, she’s wearing nothing but my shirt.
I glance at the fur coat she showed up in. I need to come up with a few more ways to make her love that coat. To make her think of me every time she sees it. Because for the first time in a very long time, I feel like maybe things are turning around for me. That everything I’ve been through, from Whitney getting pregnant to the aftermath of her death, is over. My brothers were right. It’s time for me to put the past behind me and start living again.
It’s dark outside and although I’m more than ready to fuck her again, I don’t want it to be just sex with us.
“Do you want me to open another bottle of champagne or would you prefer something else?”
“You got any good scotch?” she says to me with a grin.
I grab two lowballs from a cabinet, drop a couple ice cubes in, and pour us each a drink.
“Would you mind carrying these?” I ask, handing them to her while I grab the fur.
“Where are we going?”
I don’t answer, just give her a directional nod.
“Is that the way to the bedroom?” she asks.
“Sorta,” I say, leading her through the master bedroom, bathroom, and then out a side door.
“Wow,” she says, echoing my own thoughts when I first saw the little Zen courtyard. “This is so pretty. It must be for meditating and doing yoga.”
“And relaxing,” I say, turning her toward the round daybed tucked into the corner.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” she says, taking in the daybed which looks like something you would find at an exotic resort. It’s layered with red cushions and pillows and has a pointed wicker top. There are even curtains for privacy.
I set our drinks on a wicker cocktail table next to it, lie down, and snuggle her into my chest, using the fur as a blanket.
“I feel like a genie in a bottle,” she says, looking around and laughing.
“Does that mean I get to rub you and make three wishes?” I ask.
She quickly stops laughing, her breath seemingly taken away by my question. “What would you wish for?” she whispers.
“Love,” I say softly.
“I want love too. Big love. Do you know what I’m talking about?”
“Like Keatyn and Aiden?”
“Yes. The kind of love that can’t be torn apart. The kind of love that heals and inspires. The kind of love that lasts forever. What else would you wish for?”
“Happiness and forgiveness.”
“What do you need to be forgiven for?”
“I feel responsible for things I really had no control over. I feel like I need to be forgiven. What would you wish for?”
“I wish I could have children,” she says. “And I’ll second your love and happiness.”
I rub my hand across her naked stomach three times. “Ask me what I want, genie,” I say.
She holds my hand in place. “I’m going to grant you three wishes. What would you like?”
“I want Vanessa to find big love, happiness, and children.”
“That’s three wishes. Don’t you want to save some for yourself?”
“Nah,” I say, pressing my lips against hers.
We kiss while lying naked under her fur coat, for a really long time.
Friday, October 3rd
Driving up the California coast
ARIELA
I’m cruising up Highway 1 when my cell rings.
“Hey, Keatyn,” I say. “Hang on.” I carefully pull to the side of the road and put my flashers on. “Sorry, I have the top down and couldn’t hear you.”
“It’s okay. I was just calling to see if you wanted to fly up to Sonoma with me today.”
“Oh, thanks for asking, but I decided to drive up the coast. I’ve never been farther north than Malibu. Vanessa said the drive is breathtaking. She even lent me one of her convertibles.”
“How fun! I’m jealous. It is so beautiful. You’ll love it. And there’s something so freeing about hopping in a convertible and blaring your music.”
“That’s exactly my plan. I didn’t even make reservations anywhere for tonight. I’m just going to stop wherever I feel like it.”
“What time should I expect you on Saturday?”
“Is around noon okay?”
“Yes, that’d be perfect. Um, have you talked to Maggie yet?”
I sigh. “No, I’ll be honest. I’m kind of chicken.”
“Don’t be. Maggie definitely speaks her mind, but she was really excited to hear you’re coming. I do think you owe her a call though.”
“You’re right. I’ll do it as soon as I hang up.”
“What about your parents? Have you talked to them? Or your husband?”
“Vanessa gave me the name of a private investigator, who had Collin followed yesterday. There are pictures of him screwing his secretary. He lied when he said he would stop. Not that it matters. I’m not going back.”
“Do your parents know?”