“Oh my God! Do you think? Maybe I should start building my social media presence now. I’ll call it The Bungalow Life.”
“That’s actually a really good idea. Those bloggers make big bucks. So tell me why you’re here and not with Riley. If you ask me, it’s a step backwards.”
“Except for the fact that we fucked ten ways to Sunday last night.”
“I thought he was in love with the preppy girl?”
I shrug. “What can I say? I’m good.”
“Tell me what you did!”
“When he came home, I was mounted up in one of those over-the-door swings. They aren’t as fun as the ones that hang from the ceiling, but it served its purpose.”
“What were you wearing?”
“That black leather thong with the spiked studs on it. Nothing else.”
“What man can resist an invitation like that?”
“None that I know,” I agree.
The butler comes to stand in front of the table. “Miss Stanford, is there anything I can get you?”
“Do you have a menu or something?” Marcy asks.
“We have a menu, but our bungalow guests can order whatever they are in the mood for.”
“You got any corndogs?” Marcy asks. I glare at her. “Just kidding.”
“I’d love a grilled chicken salad, Fred,” I say, “and a bottle of champagne, please.”
“Ditto,” Marcy says rudely.
In that moment, I realize I won’t be inviting Marcy back. I survey the women gathered around the pool and decide I’m going to learn to act like I’m one of them and not act like my beer-guzzling, corn-dog-eating friend.
I also realize that she’s the only one who knows that I’m not pregnant with Riley’s baby.
And that could prove to be a problem.
“So if you could do anything—and money was no object—what would you do?” I ask her after she’s downed three glasses of champagne.
“I’d go back to Michigan and open my own nail salon. That’s what I went to school for. Thought I’d come to L.A. and make a ton of money doing nails. Could never get on at one of those ritzy salons.”
“Hmm, what do you think something like that would cost?”
“Believe it or not, I know the answer to that question. Eleven thousand dollars. I’m saving for it.”
“How much you got?”
“About eight hundred,” she says with a sad laugh.
“If you had enough money, would you leave all the sunshine and go home?”
“In a heartbeat,” she says wistfully. “I miss the seasons. My family thinks I work at one of those ritzy places and that I’m learning how to run one. I can’t go back until I have the money to do what I said I would do.” She looks at her watch. “Damn, I have to catch a cab. I picked up a double and need to be back to work in thirty minutes.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
As soon as she leaves, I go back to my room and call Riley.
“Are you almost done for the day? I’m lonely.”
“Lonely? I heard you shopped all day and were at the salon.”
“Maybe I’m just horny.”
“Well, that changes things.”
“Does that mean you’re on your way?”
“No, I have a meeting tonight. If I come, it will be later.”
“Riley, do you ever loan people money?”
“Sometimes, why?”
“Would you lend me eleven thousand dollars?”
“What for?”
“A friend. She wants to open a nail salon back home in Michigan. She waits tables and has been saving for over three years, but with the way things are going she’ll never have enough. Never mind, Riley. It’s stupid of me to ask. I just had the most amazing day, but I feel really guilty about it.”
“Why do you feel guilty?”
“Did you give the personal shopper a budget?”
“Yeah.”
“Was it eleven thousand dollars?”
“Actually, it was ten.”
“We spent eleven, and I was just thinking it’s crazy. Eleven thousand dollars for some clothes and shoes when that kind of money would change her life. Would you be mad at me if I took it all back and gave her the money?”
“Keep the clothes, Shelby. Call Tyler with your bank information, and I’ll have him wire you the money, and you can write your friend a check.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. It’s sweet of you to want to do that. You surprise me. In a good way. In fact, why don’t I cancel my meeting and take you out for dinner tonight? If we’re going to raise a baby together, I’d like to learn more about you.”
“Can we eat at the bar here at the hotel? I’ve heard it’s, like, legendary.”
“Of course we can. I’ll have Tyler make the arrangements.”
I hang up the phone feeling giddy. Everything is going to work out perfectly.
And the truth is, even though I am lying to him about the baby, I wasn’t lying when I said I love him.
I look around my posh room. I mean, what’s not to love?
Captive Films - Santa Monica
DAWSON
It’s getting late, and I haven’t heard from Vanessa all day, so I call her.
“How’s the redecorating going?”
“It’s kind of crazy here. Would you like to come over and see my empty house?”