“But you know differently, don’t you, Riley?” I ask.
“Yeah, I know it was because of her.”
Vanessa’s Estate - Holmby Hills
DAWSON
I’m nervous as I pull up to Vanessa’s home in the Range Rover that showed up in my garage a few days ago, complete with a booster seat for Harlow. I’ve been so busy at work that I hadn’t even realized that I couldn’t fit the girls and their bags into the Ferrari. Thank goodness I mentioned they were coming to Tyler. He literally thinks of everything.
“This house looks like a castle,” Harlow says, echoing my thoughts. “Is Vanessa a princess?”
“You’ll have to ask her that,” I say absent-mindedly. I knew Vanessa’s ex-husband was wealthy, but I didn’t expect this. My heart drops into my stomach, knowing I could never give her anything that compares to this. Even with what I’m earning now, I probably couldn’t even qualify for a mortgage, not with a foreclosure on my credit history.
I remember the day so vividly. The girls crying and saying they didn’t want to leave their house. What if Mommy comes back and we aren’t here? Living with my parents was what we all needed though.
Although, I didn’t know it at the time.
I was still in shock. I couldn’t believe what my life had become. My wife had killed herself. I was broke, with two little girls to raise on my own. I didn’t care about my job anymore and a had mess of financial disbelief. I couldn’t face the reality of what Whitney had done.
Still can’t, really.
But at least we’re moving in the right direction.
“Dad, it says you have to press the button if you want the gate to open,” Ava says, bringing me back to the present.
“Or you could say Open Sesame!” Harlow giggles from the backseat.
“Thanks, honey.” I roll down the window and hit the call button. When Vanessa’s butler answers and says, “May I ask who’s calling?” the girls giggle again.
Harlow says, “We aren’t calling, we’re visiting.”
“Dawson, Harlow, and Ava Johnson,” I reply politely as the gate opens and we drive through it. “Remember, girls, you are to be on your best behavior.”
“We will be,” they sing.
“Grandma told us . . .” Harlow says.
“Harlow!” Ava warns.
“What were you going to say, Harlow?” I ask her.
“Grandma told us not to scare Miss Vanessa away. We won’t, Daddy. We promise to be good.”
I run my hand through my hair and take a deep breath. Clearly, it’s time to have a chat with my family. I’m also praying the girls like the school we’re visiting on Monday. I need them here with me.
Part of me wants to turn around and drive off. I don’t know what I’m doing. Vanessa and I haven’t been together since I told her about wanting to spend time alone with the girls. The tabloid article was right. I was chasing after her all night trying to figure how to make it up to her.
I was shocked when she called this morning, told me she had fallen asleep early and didn’t get our call last night.
I’m hoping it means that she’s not still upset.
But I really don’t know what to expect.
As I shut off the car, the girls are already hopping out and running to Vanessa, who is waiting for us in the doorway. She’s decked out in full equestrian wear. Sleek fitted black pants that mold her body, tucked into black riding boots. I look down at the jeans and flannel shirt I’m wearing.
“Are you a princess?” is the first thing out of Harlow’s mouth. “Your house looks like Prince Eric’s castle. Is there an ocean in the back?”
Vanessa laughs and gives her a hug. “I’m afraid I don’t have an ocean, but I do have a pool.”
“And horses, right? Daddy said we get to ride.”
“Yes, I thought we’d start with that.”
I greet Vanessa with a kiss on the cheek and can’t help but wonder how this could ever possibly work. I feel a little like the pauper going into the princess’ house.
I get over myself and enjoy the beautiful day. We ride horses together and then the girls go for a swim. Afterwards, her chef helps them make their own pizzas.
“This is the best day ever,” Harlow says, her mouth full of gooey cheese.
“I’m glad you’re having fun,” Vanessa says. She’s gone out of her way to be nice to the girls, but she hasn’t given me any clue as to how she’s feeling about me. Part of me wonders if she’s decided we should just be friends.
“What are we gonna do next?” Ava asks.
“We probably need to head home pretty soon,” I tell them.
Vanessa grins at the girls. “What if we had a slumber party instead?”
“A slumber party! A slumber party!” they chant.
“Please, Daddy?” Harlow begs. “I swear it wasn’t just the money. We really did want to see Miss Vanessa.”
Vanessa glares at me with a raised eyebrow.
“I can explain,” I say to her.
Shit.