“My publicist made me,” he says.
“Well, he’s smart because we have some publicity to talk about. I’m just gonna cut to the chase, Parker. I know that you sold the photos of Vegas to the tabloids. Jennifer was supposedly drunk and you thought she was trying to make you jealous. I’d even bet a lot of money that new girlfriend of yours—the playboy bunny—whatever her name is, encouraged you to sell them.”
“Uh,” he stutters.
“You don’t have to answer, Parker. It’s okay. So you sold the photos. The press ate them up. You made a tidy sum that, you will be announcing today, will be donated to Jennifer’s favorite charity.”
“The fuck I am. I didn’t sell anything.”
“Parker, Jennifer texted you sixty-one photos. All of which have been sold to the press. You tried to split them up, but I know people and they told us that it was you. Makes sense, as no one else would have a selfie that Jennifer took herself. Now, I know you are hot. Your fans love you. But recently, I received just one photo of you. A photo of you so damning, you’ll be swimming in a shit sewer of bad PR from which your career will never recover.”
“Bullshit.”
“Hang on, Parker. I’m going to use my cell phone to text you the photo.”
She obviously had it pre-loaded into her phone, because all she does is hit send.
“I just heard your phone vibrate. You must have gotten it already. Amazing how fast photos can travel nowadays, isn’t it? I wonder what would happen if all the mothers of your teenybopper fans caught wind of this.”
“Oh, fuck,” Parker says.
“The perfect comment,” Vanessa continues. “Now that I have your attention. What are you going to do tonight?”
“Announce that I sold the photos because I’m an asshole. That I’ll be donating the proceeds to the children’s foundation she supports. She did it on purpose, didn’t she? She knew that I would do it. She was just pretending to be drunk. I heard it was a publicity stunt.”
“I have no comment on that, but I do have another comment. I’d like you to do a few interviews with the press. I’d like you to publicly apologize to Jennifer for being the douche that you are. Never once did she come out and tell anyone why she broke up with you. She never told them you were a lying cheater. She has class. It’s time for you to tell the truth.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Oh. I see. Okay. Well, nice chatting with you. Um, you might want to notify your PR firm about what’s coming up. You know, so they can prepare.”
“Fuck. Fine. Fine. I’ll do it.”
“And you’ll dump the bunny. She isn’t good for you.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll do it.”
“Perfect. Then it will stay between you and me. Cheers, Parker. Have a great night!”
She hangs up and Tyler stands up and claps. “I want to be you when I grow up. Spectacular performance. Now, you need to get going, or you will be late for your appointments. And by the way, I saw the dress Avery brought you, To. DIE. For. See you tonight.”
He rushes out of the door, already on his phone.
I saunter over to Vanessa and sit on the edge of the desk next to her. “If Tyler’s gonna die, that means your dress is probably going to make me hot.”
“I haven’t even seen it yet. It may not even fit me.”
“Uh, huh.”
“Fine. I peeked. It’s gorgeous. I’m hoping I can do it justice.”
“Wear your red lipstick. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Six-thirty. I need to be there early.”
I lean in and kiss her. “You really are amazing.”
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
ARIELA
I had so much fun catching up and reminiscing, and maybe getting a little drunk, with Maggie tonight. As I plop down on the bed and am trying, unsuccessfully, to get my boots off, my phone dings.
I fall off the bed trying to get it, hoping it’s Riley.
Coffee Kyle: So did you go? Did you see him? Is there a sweet job waiting for me?
Me: Yes. Yes. Unfortunately not.
Coffee Kyle: So what happened when you saw him?
Me: The first time he saw me, he was pissed I was there but gave me the hottest kiss.
Coffee Kyle: Mine would have been hotter.
Me: Don’t mess with me. I’m a little drunk. And there was a lot of emotion in this kiss.
Coffee Kyle: I'm just teasing. So a kiss. Then did you have hot angry sex?
Me: I wish. No.
Coffee Kyle: Come on, give me the scoop. I sat through a six-hour movie with you. I need to know the rest of the story.
Me: I don't think this story is going to have a happy ending, Kyle. It’s all kind of a mess.
Coffee Kyle: So, truth. I saw the Vegas photos. That's really what made me text you. How are you doing?
Me: I’m a bit of a wreck but I'm busy. I got a job running a big swanky event. You know what? I could really use some help. Would you want to be my assistant?
Coffee Kyle: Do I get to ass—ist you in the bedroom?
Me: No, but I’ll pay well.