While I’m getting ready, I’m scrolling through tabloid sites. And not liking what I’m seeing.
This is way worse than an arrest notice.
Captive Films definitely needs my help. This has the makings of a publicity nightmare, and it’s going to take some brilliance and a whole lot of manipulation on my part to get this under control. I start thinking of ways to spin it.
But as I continue to scroll through the damning photos, I can’t help but smile about one thing.
Even though there are numerous photos of the group with random girls, Dawson doesn’t appear to have hooked up with anyone.
And that makes me feel happy.
I stop in the kitchen on my way out the door.
Ariela is perched at the breakfast bar eating an omelet made by my chef. I think he has a little crush on her.
“You’re up early this morning, Miss Vanessa,” he says. “What can I make for you?”
“Just a coffee to go, please,” I tell him then turn to Ariela. “Riley was arrested in Vegas last night along with Dawson, Knox, and Jennifer.”
“Arrested? Is that why Riley and Dawson had to go to Vegas suddenly? Because of Knox and Jennifer?”
“I’m not sure why, but this doesn’t look like a business trip to me.” I toss a few of the photos I printed out onto the counter.
She looks at them and lets out a sad sigh. “I thought . . .”
“He was different?”
“Yeah. How could he do this after the night we shared?”
I shrug and say, “He’s a man.”
“I didn’t sleep at all last night. That look he had, on the video we watched of him leaving, it’s the same look he had when I told him I wasn’t moving here with him. I tried calling him last night. I texted him. Left messages. I have to fly up to the vineyard today and be there all week. If so much wasn’t riding on this wedding, I’d go sit at his office until he showed up and get to the bottom of this. I know you think otherwise, but I know in my heart he saw me with Collin.”
“I don’t mean to sound callous, but if he did, this is the result. A PR nightmare for Captive Films. One that I need to figure out how to fix.”
“Can you fix it?”
I shake my head. “At this point, there are too many photos out there to fix. I’m going to have to work on damage control.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, getting teary. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
I give her a hug. “It’s okay. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now. I promise when I see Riley, I’ll tell him the kiss was unwanted. In case he did see.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“But that’s all I can do. It will be up to him to decide if he wants to talk to you about it.”
“Thank you. I understand and appreciate it.”
Captive Films - Santa Monica
KEATYN
When I get to the office, I start scanning celebrity gossip websites.
The first one I go to, the one with the widest reach, has a video of a very intoxicated Jennifer dancing around a stripper pole.
Make that, dancing around and then falling off a stripper pole.
My phone dings with a text from a board member who lives on the East Coast.
Jennifer Edwards is trending on Twitter. And not in a good way. We can’t be associated with someone of this character. You need to cancel her contract immediately.
I switch over to Twitter and pull up the trending hashtag #JEdsStripperFail.
The video from her stripper dance, where she twirls around a pole then face plants, has become a meme. And been shared millions of times already. Jeez, doesn’t anyone sleep?
My office phone starts ringing off the hook.
Then my cell rings.
It is another board member, a long standing and vocal one.
“Hi, Walter,” I say, trying to sound cheerful.
“You sound too happy this morning. Have you not been online?”
“I just got into the office. It’s six a.m. in California.”
“Well, then the whole world knows but you. Let me read you a headline. Captive Films CEO Riley Johnson arrested in Vegas. And another. Riley Johnson, CEO of Captive Films—”
“I’m aware of Riley’s arrest. I’ll deal with it, Walter. Thanks for alerting me.”
“Keatyn, I know Riley is your friend, but this isn’t good for our business. I’ve spoken to some of the other board members and we’re in agreement. You need to ask Riley to resign.”
“Captive Films is more profitable than it’s ever been because of Riley. You and the board know that.”
“Does he need to go to rehab? What the hell is going on with him?”
“It’s personal. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
After I end the call, I lay my head on the desk trying to figure out how I’ll handle it.
I smell Tyler coming long before I hear him.
“I brought you some coffee,” he sings. “I suspect it’s going to be a long day.”
My stomach starts to churn.
“Um, I’ve given up coffee for lent.”
“It’s not lent. Come on, smell it. You know you love it.” He waves it across my desk, causing me to gag.