“I haven’t told them. He works for my dad. They won’t understand.”
“I know it’s been a long time since I’ve seen your parents, and I know you blame them for some of the past but, Ariela, you chose your path. You were eighteen when you left Eastbrooke and were in your twenties when you got married. You may have felt pressure to stay on that path, but you chose it. You can’t blame your parents. I’m sure they thought they were doing what was best for you.”
“Wow. Tough love, huh? I expected that from Maggie, not you.”
Keatyn laughs. “I may be quoting Maggie. I’m also a little worried.”
“About what?”
“Riley is my best friend. All I want is for him to be happy. And I’ll love whoever he chooses as long as she makes him happy.”
“I saw him leave with Jennifer Edwards and saw the article about them. Are they dating?”
“Yes. I know you came here on a whim, Ariela. I get it. But until you are sure about what you want, don’t mess with his life.”
“I understand. Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I press end on my phone and just stare at it, Keatyn’s words echoing in my head. She’s right. I did come here on a whim. But at the same time, I’ve wanted to do it for so long.
Before I chicken out, I call my father. I was going to call Mom, give her my typical update. I’m fine. I just need a break. It’s time I take responsibility for my life.
After getting through his assistant, my father answers with, “When are you coming back home?”
“I’m not. I’ve hired an attorney and am filing for a divorce.”
“You’re what? Why?”
“Our marriage falling apart isn’t all Collin’s fault, Dad. I never loved him the way I should have.”
“Is that why you’re really in California? Are you looking up that boy from high school?”
“The boy who you said would never amount to anything?”
“Yeah, what was his name?”
“It’s Riley Johnson. And you were wrong, Dad. Riley is the CEO of a movie production company. A multi-billion dollar company. He’s more successful than Collin, and even you.”
“So, you want to trade up?”
“No, I’m following my heart. I wasn’t strong enough to do it when I was eighteen, but I’m strong enough now.”
“Collin will be devastated.”
“Oh, I think he will be fine, since he’s sleeping with his secretary. But you probably already knew that.”
“Ariela, you have a good life here.”
“No, I don’t. I’m miserable. And even if Riley doesn’t give me another chance, I’m staying in California. This was my dream too, not just his.”
“You’re a little young for a midlife crisis, darling. Your mother went through something like this in our marriage. She started seeing Dr. Vance. Maybe we should make you an appointment.”
“Let me guess, that was about the time she found out you weren’t faithful, and she decided she liked her life enough to settle for part of you? Or she was fucking Dr. Vance to get back at you?”
“Ariela! How dare you?”
“Mom told me about your arrangement. I think it sucks, and I don’t respect it. Call me a fool, but I believe in true love. And I’m going to find it. Collin will be getting the divorce papers next week. Goodbye, Dad.”
I’m shaking and crying when I hang up. I look over at the ocean. I didn’t realize when I pulled over that there’s a beach right here. I get out of the car, grab a mat out of the trunk, and go sit in the sand.
As I sit down, I decide to call the one person who always understood what my parents were like, my best friend from high school, Maggie.
“Maggie?” I say when she answers.
“Ariela?” she asks. “Are you crying?”
I say yes and tell her everything that happened after high school. What my dad had said. How he told me going to California would be the biggest mistake of my life. How I got back together with Collin, the boy I had dated from home. How I married him. How unhappy I’ve been. What made me decide to come to California. What’s happened with Riley. What my dad just said. And, finally, how I’ve missed her.
I figured she would chew me out, but she says, “I missed you too. I heard you’re coming up here.”
“I am.”
“It’ll be okay, Ariela.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I don’t know if Riley will forgive you, and I don’t know if you will end up together. But that really isn’t the point. You have to be happy with yourself, first and foremost.”
“You’re right, as usual. I thought you were going to chew me out.”
“Oh, I still might,” she says. “But I can’t do it when you’ve been crying.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
Trinity movie set - Studio City
KEATYN
Knox kisses my neck and then my lips.