“You're on the Captive Films board of directors, aren't you?” Jennifer asks Grandpa.
“Well, yes, I am,” Grandpa says, standing up to shake her hand.
“I did some research on the company,” Jennifer says with a grin.
“And this is Dawson Johnson, Riley's brother and Captive’s newest executive. He’ll be working closely with the lovely lady to his right, Vanessa Flanning, on the campaigns for Daddy’s Angel. And you already know Dallas McMahon.”
“I was probably your easiest actress,” Jennifer says, then covers her mouth. “Whoops, sorry, that didn't sound right. I mean, I was a breeze to negotiate with.”
“Yes, you were,” Dallas replies. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And this is Ariela Ross. She’s, um, planning our upcoming wedding.” Jennifer’s look falters when she hears Ariela’s name, making me wonder if she knows about her.
Knowing that Jennifer doesn’t have a filter, I quickly follow the introduction with, “And, of course, you know Knox.”
“So, did we miss dinner or time it just right?” Riley asks without skipping a beat and completely ignoring the fact that Ariela is here.
“You are just in time,” Marvel says, bringing two more chairs to the table. “I will set more places.”
“Jennifer,” I say. “Would you do me a big favor? All the kids are in the kitchen, and I know they'd love to meet you.”
“Of course,” she says, but when we get into the kitchen, she grabs my arm. “Holy shit, is that the Ariela? The girl who broke Riley's heart like a decade ago?”
“Uh, yeah,” I say.
“Well, like that’s not awkward with a capital A. I’m sorry we just showed up.”
“It's fine, Jennifer. You’re always welcome. I’m sure she and Riley will be cordial. Besides, he's here with you.”
The kids chatter with her excitedly and when we go back in the dining room, Riley is standing and staring at the table. I’m trying to determine why when I realize that Marvel has set the two additional place settings on opposite sides of the table. And the placement is awkward. Riley has his choice of sitting by Ariela or seating Jennifer next to her.
Marvel is ready to serve us, and he is not a patient man. “Miss,” he says to Jennifer, pulling out the chair next to Knox and beckoning her to sit. “Please have a seat, Mr. Johnson.”
Riley doesn’t move. He just stares at Ariela like she's a live grenade about to go off.
“Um,” Riley says to Marvel.
Oh, if he says he doesn’t want to sit next to Ariela, I am going to kill him. I give Aiden the eye, begging him to step in and do something.
But Knox quickly jumps into the fray. “Oh, Marvel, we mustn’t separate the love birds. Ariela, dear, why don’t you sit by me?”
Ariela gives Knox a grateful nod and switches chairs. I notice that Jennifer looks disappointed.
When everyone gets settled, Marvel serves our first course.
Riley’s got one arm around Jennifer, trying to pull her closer.
He’s messing with her hair, kissing her hand, and saying flirty stuff about later tonight.
I keep trying to get everyone to talk about something to drown it out, but I think we all feel like we’re watching a train wreck about to happen.
Ariela looks sad, and I feel bad for her. It’s obvious that Riley is purposefully trying to make Ariela jealous, because he keeps glancing up to see if she’s watching.
They say in acting that timing is everything.
And Knox is a damn good actor.
I knew when he called Jennifer and Riley the lovebirds that he was up to something.
He has waited until just the right time to start flirting with Ariela. He’s spent the first two courses letting the tension build. Letting it appear like the more he gets to know her, the more interested he is.
And his subtlety is much more believable than Riley’s obvious show.
Knox leans a little closer to Ariela and speaks softly, holding her eyes and hanging on every word she says.
If I didn’t know that Knox is crushing on Jennifer, I’d think he was totally mesmerized by Ariela.
And the more mesmerized Knox seems, the more Riley stops talking to Jennifer.
Now, he’s shoving food into his mouth like he’s mad at it.
“What you do must be so interesting,” Knox says to Ariela. “Planning weddings that bring a couple’s love to life.”
“I’ve never thought of it that way, but that is what we do. Showcase a couple’s love by finding elements from their past to share in a fun way. At a wedding I did a few weeks ago, they had massive amounts of candles because when he proposed he had over 200 candles in the room. Instead of numbers on each table, they had the couple’s favorite songs. When they kissed after the ceremony, everyone threw pink rose petals because those were the first flowers he gave her.”
“So romantic,” Knox says. “I, myself, have never been married, but I’m looking forward to the day I find that special someone. What you do must be so fulfilling.”