“He said around nine.”
“Message him now to text you when they are done. We won’t stay at dinner long and when we get home, I’ll help you choose. I’m thinking a nice warm bath is in order too.”
“Do I have to bathe alone?” I ask, moving my hand a little lower.
“Do you ever?” he teases, kissing my nose. “Come on, baby. Let’s go share some good news.”
Aiden and I are sitting in the bathtub. He’s cupping water in his hand and emptying it on my chest to keep me warm while I’m leaned back against his chest, relaxing.
“Everyone was excited about the baby,” he says, referring to the cheers and the, It’s about times from our families.
“Your mom especially,” I say. His mom fought and won a battle with cancer and is so excited to have lived to see this day.
“Your sisters are excited to become aunts, but I think they were even more excited to learn that the fundraiser invitations they got yesterday are really for our wedding.”
“I know. Did you hear Avery asking about interning at Captive? She said her teacher won’t count all the work she does on their Stevens brand.”
“You were smart to tell her yes. Your marketing department can always use help in social media.”
“I know. With Gracie’s acting, Ivery’s modeling, and Emery’s music career, I think Avery sometimes feels like the oddball. She’s yet to really find her calling.”
“Your sisters are the exception. Most people don’t know what they want to do until they experience life. Want to know what I think?”
“Of course.”
“I think she could be a Captive Films executive someday. She’s smart and creative.”
“Aiden, ohmigosh, I never even thought of that, but you’re right. I have a better idea. I should let her spend a few weeks in each department so she can figure out what she loves the most.”
“That’s perfect. Speaking of perfect. So far, Ariela seems to be doing a great job getting this wedding pulled together. I think we were smart to take a page from the Abby Johnston and Tommy Stevens handbook on how to quietly get married.”
“I think so too. Maggie texted me and told me Ariela had meetings with vendors all day today. And she got the invitations out on time. Even I didn’t know if that was possible.”
My phone dings. Aiden wipes his hand off on a towel and looks at it. “Guess the bath party is over. That’s the photographer. The photos are ready. Oh, there’s also a text from Dallas. We must have not heard it when you were attacking me.”
I laugh. “I’m pretty sure it’s you who did the attacking this time. What’s it say?”
“It says, Call me. Here, I’ll dial. Your hands are wet.”
He puts it on speaker.
“Hey, Dallas. It’s me and Aiden. Sorry we just saw your text.”
“How did dinner with the families go?”
“Good. Everyone is excited about both the wedding and the baby.”
“I knew they would be. So, I may have some good news. I’ve been working on these charges with the county prosecutor. I told him in confidence about the publicity stunt.”
“Oh, Dallas! That’s brilliant. It’s another way the press could verify it.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I believe they will be dropping all the charges except for the public intoxications and all that requires is paying a fine.”
“You’re amazing.”
“The casino and hotel also called. Apparently, they have been flooded with calls inquiring about the suite from the party and have booked it out for months in advance. The crew is welcome back anytime.”
“Don’t tell them that,” Aiden laughs.
Captive Films — Santa Monica
DAWSON
After dinner we go back to the office to tie up a few final details.
“Will you be my date for the Purity Party? Apparently, Tyler ordered me an all-white suit. I haven’t worn all white since my wedding,” I accidentally say. Shit, I don’t want to talk about my wedding.
“I told you about my wedding,” Vanessa says. “What was yours like?”
“A bit of a disaster. Her family was embarrassed she was getting married after she had a baby and refused to come. My family didn’t want me to marry her, but they came because we always support each other.”
“She had a beautiful family with you. Why would she kill herself?”
“Because she was in a severe depression.”
“Why?”
“I really don’t want to talk about it, Vanessa. I told you she struggled with depression. I’m sorry I brought up my wedding. I didn’t mean to.”
“Oh,” she says. “It’s okay.” But I can tell it’s not really.
She’s quiet for a minute then says, “So tomorrow night is the party. What do you want to do Friday night? I think if we’re able to pull this all off, we should go out and celebrate.”
“I can’t on Friday night. The girls will be in town.”
“We’ll include them in the celebration.”
“I think that I need to spend the weekend with them, uh, alone.” I stress.
“Oh,” she says again.