“Exactly.”
“Life isn't a fairy tale. I learned that the hard way with Bam. You think once you’ve found your Prince Charming, it will be fairytale moments, rose petals, and dancing. But no one tells you that the prince is an egotistical asshole who can't keep his dick in his pants. And that makes you wary of every other prince.”
“I was the opposite. I had the prince and let him go.” She studies me. “Have you been wary of Dawson?”
“When I came up here, I was so freaking pissed at him.”
“Why?”
“He hadn’t told me he had kids. I thought it was because he didn’t want me to meet them. I was wrong to jump to that conclusion. So what's going to happen with you and Riley? How’d you leave things?”
“He wants us to go to Eastbrooke's Homecoming next weekend.”
“Everyone else goes almost every year. They always look forward to it. Keatyn was really bummed her filming schedule wouldn't allow it this year. Why does he want you to go?”
“Neither one of us have been back there since graduation. He said maybe we need to go back in order to move forward.”
“Back to where it all began?”
“And where it all ended,” she says sadly.
“Do you think it will help?”
“I’m not sure. I think it's going to bring back a lot of good memories, which will be painful.”
“Pleasure and pain, a weird combination,” I say. “It's getting chilly out here, why don't we go inside?”
“Should I say something to Jennifer? Apologize?”
“Ariela, you didn't do anything. Actually, she'll probably thank you.”
“Why?”
“When Riley ran off after you, she and Knox were making out. She likes him.”
“Oh, Knox, that devil. That's why he was flirting with me, wasn't it? He knew he could push Riley's buttons.”
“I think so,” I agree.
“Riley was very noncommittal about if we'll even be able to be friends, but . . .”
I finish her thought. “But Knox must know Riley still has feelings for you.”
“Unfortunately,” she sighs, “most of those feelings are hate.”
“There's a fine line between love and hate,” I say with a laugh. “Come on, it's cold.”
“There are headlights coming up the drive. More surprise visitors?”
“That would be the doctor,” I tell her as we head back toward the house. “You missed all the fun. I’ll give you the short version. Riley came in the house and apologized to Jennifer and asked for ice. Keatyn fainted when she saw Riley’s bloody hand. Knox about passed out when Keatyn fainted. Aiden called the doctor. Dawson was impressed with Riley’s hand and is sending their older brother photos of it.”
Ariela laughs. “Never a dull moment. God, I’ve missed my friends.”
Keatyn & Aiden’s home - Asher Vineyards, Sonoma County
KEATYN
The doctor arrives with his portable x-ray machine and verifies that Riley’s hand is indeed broken. He wrapped it all up and gave him something for the pain.
After telling everyone goodnight, Aiden and I retire to our room and slide into bed.
Aiden pushes my hair back off my forehead. “It scares me when you faint.”
“It scares me a little too.”
“I read it's normal, though. So don’t worry.”
“We’re lucky, Aiden.”
He kisses the clover tattoo on his wrist, then kisses the matching one on mine. “We've always been lucky, Boots.”
“Tonight was a flipping fiasco. I think I might have to fire Ariela. I can’t do this to Riley.”
“Just give them a little time. He still loves her. That was pretty obvious tonight.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. I just worry about him.”
“I think he’ll be fine. Sometimes a guy has to be at his lowest point to realize what really matters.”
“Did you have a low point with me?”
“Yes. Don’t you remember me dragging you down to the soccer field?”
“I do. That’s when you called me dumb.”
“That’s because you couldn’t see how crazy I was about you.”
“Then you attacked me on the desk in your room later with your tongue. I was yours ever since that kiss.”
He flicks his tongue across my lips. “I can’t wait to marry you. And I want to go on record and say that your grandpa is a beast. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him move so fast. Let alone take down a guy as big as Riley.”
“My grandpa is tough.” I laugh. I gaze into Aiden’s beautiful green eyes that always speak to my soul. “I really appreciate you letting them build a house here.”
“I knew it would make you happy,” he says, gently caressing my arm. “And I may have had an ulterior motive.”
“What's that?”
“I’m hoping it will make you want to spend more time here.”
“That’s what I meant by slowing down, Aiden. I want to raise our kids here. I have a beautiful office and can work from home.”
“Except when you’re filming.”
“You know the movie I’m supposed to start right after Trinity?”