“I can’t understand why you never contacted me either. You act like you’re the only one who got hurt. I knew I was going to hurt you, Riley, but I never imagined you’d completely give up on us.”
“I can’t deal with this right now. We’ll talk this weekend,” I say then hang up.
Just as I end the call, the doorbell rings again. I answer it to find room service with a full-blown steak dinner.
“Hey, Shelby, get dressed. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
She comes out—naked this time—and sits down at the table. “Did I hear you saying something about this weekend?”
“Yeah, I have an out-of-town event to attend.”
“Oh, how fun! What should I pack? Do I need to get anything new?”
Part of me wants to take her to the wedding so that I can show Ariela I don’t need her.
I really don’t understand my desire to hurt Ariela when all I’ve ever wanted to do is love her. But if I take Shelby, I’m pretty sure we’d never get back together. I’d be putting the final nail in our love coffin.
And I’m not ready to do that.
“No, it’s a small private event. Friends and family only.”
“Where is it?”
“Northern California. Wine country.”
“Keatyn and Aiden have a winery up there. Is that where you’re going?”
“No,” I lie. “It's just a fundraiser.”
“A fundraiser for friends and family only? That sounds more like a wedding. Surely, you can bring a guest.”
“I’m going to be busy and wouldn’t be able to entertain you.”
“I can entertain myself. It would be good to get away.”
“Except the doctor suggested you stay off your feet. You’d be on your feet at this event, so it’s probably best for you and the baby to stay put.”
“But—” she presses. “Maybe I’ll stowaway in your suitcase.”
“Look, Shelby, I’ve been here every night trying to get to know you better.”
“I’ll say. Last night you got to know my ass pretty up close and personal.”
I stop eating and put my fork down. “You’re right. I did. Is that not something you’d like to continue?”
“What? No. I love sex with you, Riley. I never know what to expect.” She gives me a very intimate and sexy look. The kind that should cause my dick to salute her. Except that what Ariela said to me keeps running through my head. “It sounds like you’re confusing my wanting to get to know you on a personal level with getting to know you on a sexual level. No offense to you, but I don’t have a problem finding women to sleep with. So maybe we should take sex out of the equation so as not to further complicate our already complicated situation.”
She doesn’t reply.
I look at my watch. Knox texted me earlier and told me to meet him at the club. He exaggerated and said we haven’t been out in forever. I told him I’d see him all weekend, but he said it’s hardly the same thing.
I finish off the rest of my meal and set my napkin down.
“Thanks for dinner,” I tell her, like she had something to do with its preparation and trying not to think about what’s still waiting for us in the bedroom. After talking to Ariela, my dick probably wouldn’t cooperate anyway. It seems to have a crush. “I’ve got to get going.”
“What? But, daddy,” she pouts. “We haven’t had dessert yet.”
“Sorry, I’ll have to take a rain check on that.” I kiss her cheek. “Take it easy, stay off your feet, and have a good weekend. I’ll call you when I get back in town.”
She tries to kiss me on the lips, but I move too fast and manage to escape.
I look down at my phone and see that Ariela sent me a text. Just seeing her name pop up on the screen makes my heart hurt. Maybe my brother is right.
Ariela: You hung up on me. Please don’t do that. I’m calling you back. Will you answer and talk to me, please?”
I call her back instead.
“We don't have to decide at the wedding, Riley,” she says softly. God, I love the sound of her voice. “Once it’s over, I can come back to L.A. if you want to hang out. Don’t laugh, but do you remember the date that never ended in the music video we shot and how we recreated it that day? All the fun stuff we did? I want to do it again.”
My heart sinks into my stomach as I remember how beautiful she looked. I can still picture her little blue dress fluttering around her legs as she ran through waves. “We made love under the pier that night.”
“That was one of the best parts of the date. And it’s okay if you can’t do it, but I’m going to. I want to revisit all those magical places.”
“Once the wedding is over, I'm taking a few days off myself. I’d like to go with you, Ariela. But that’s all I can promise.”
“That’s all I’m asking for. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow,” I say, my heart practically singing with joy at the thought.
As soon as I hang up, I get another text from Knox.
Knox: We’re waiting.
Me: Who’s we?
Knox: Me and your brother. He’s drunk and brokenhearted. It’s a horrible combination for picking up women. I can see why you didn’t want to hang out with me after the makeup bitch. Please send help.