Power (The Keatyn Chronicles Book 9) (10 page)

“Graduation day,” I say, taking a gulp of milk and shoving another cookie into my mouth.
 

“Riley, did you fight for her?”

I hang my head. “I was too devastated to fight. Then I was pissed. Then it was too late.”

“She's back. You have a chance. Why don’t you stop fucking around and take it?”

“If she—”

“If she breaks your heart, we’ll deal with it,” he tells me. “Call her and find out what really happened.”

“What do you mean? I know what happened.”

“Riley, you’re trying to fuck your feelings away. It’s not going to work. And what do you know exactly?”

“I don’t care what Vanessa says. I know what I saw.”

“Yeah, you saw her husband kiss her.”

“That was enough.”

“Did you bother to ask him
why
he kissed her?”

“No! Why the fuck would I do that? It’s her fucking husband.”

“You did once before. Don’t you remember?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, bewildered.

“Remember Christmas break senior year? You were at Ariela’s house and some guy dropped by.”

“Yeah, her idiot ex-boyfriend. He tried to kiss her and I whooped his ass.”

“So, why didn’t you whoop Collin’s ass this time?”

“Wait? What the fuck? Are you telling me that’s who she married?”

“Yeah.”

“But he was such a douche!”

“Still is, from what I gather. Riley, if you’re going to have a relationship with Ariela, you have to talk to her. You have to believe her when she tells you what happened. The Riley I know would have seen him kiss her, walked straight up to him, knocked him the fuck out, and—”

“—asked questions later,” I say along with him. I take another cookie. “You’re right. I’ve become a pussy.”

Aiden laughs. “You haven’t become a pussy. You can’t knock someone out in business when things don’t go your way. I’d say you’re more refined. But you haven’t been in love for a while. You’re out of practice.”

“It always seems so easy for you and Keatyn.”

“It’s not. We make it work because we want it to work. Our relationship has always been our number one priority. You know how many roles she’s turned down because of scheduling. Riley, I’m going to ask you one question. It’s the only question that really matters. Do you still love Ariela?”

I slowly nod.
 

“Then go fucking do something about it and don’t let anything get in the way.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I think Keatyn and Dallas are right. I need to go back to Eastbrooke and put the past behind me before I can move on.”

“Does that mean you’re going?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Then congratulations are in order too. Riley Johnson CEO & Chairman of the Board has a nice ring to it.”

“I was so shocked, I never asked her why she was promoting me.”

Keatyn walks out with another plate of cookies and sets them on the table. “Why don’t you just stay here tonight, Riley.” It’s hard to even look at her. I’m so overcome with emotion. I’m so lucky to have such good friends. “I’m promoting you for a lot of reasons but mostly because you deserve it.”

“Is one of the reasons because you want to slow down?”

“We want to spend more time at the vineyard,” Aiden says. “Raise our family there.”

“That sounds nice,” I say.

“I want to take some time off and just write scripts for a while. It’s what I love. And I want that for you too, Riley,” Keatyn tells me. “Dallas has always been so good about having balance between his personal and professional life. You and I need to do a better job of it. That’s part of why I brought Dawson in. I want you to groom him to be your successor. Once you feel he’s ready to take over as CEO, you’ll retain the Chairman of the Board title and only have to attend board meetings.”

“It would be cool to only work on the fun projects. I’ve been sorta itching to produce again. Be on set more often.”

“It’s not like you even need to work anymore, Riley. You have plenty of money. You should be doing what you love.”

“And finding love?” I say with a smirk, knowing where the conversation is headed.
 

“At least having
the time
for love,” she replies.
 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH

Captive Films — Santa Monica

VANESSA

The Purity Party invitations have been delivered, the event is being set up, and I’m leaning back in Keatyn’s office chair taking a breather when Avery steps in. She started work today as a Captive Films intern and jumped straight into the fire.
 

“So, I will admit, I follow most of the big tabloids,” she says. “Something just got posted that you should see.”

“Is it good or bad?”

“I know how good my sister is at handling the press. She says she learned from our mom and Knox. I showed this to a couple people in the marketing department and they were shocked, which means my sister, and probably you, planned it that way. My guess is the Vegas thing was as bad as it seemed, and you two turned it around to make it look like a publicity stunt. Am I right?”

“Close the door,” I tell her. “Have you told anyone else your thoughts?”

“No. If I’m right, we wouldn’t want anyone to know.”

I nod my head at her. “You’re very astute for someone your age, Avery.”

She does a little clap. “I knew I was right!”

“Are you having fun today?”

“Actually, yes. I kind of thought working here might be corporate and boring, but it’s not. Everyone is cool.”

“Keatyn told me she wants you to try your hand at the different divisions of the company, but what’s your passion?”

She looks at her feet.

“What?” I say. “You can tell me.”

“I know the tabloids say things to sell papers. I know some of the things they print are lies set in a teeny bit of truth. I know some are boldfaced lies. But it’s exciting, don’t you think? The way people are perceived in public. The face they choose to show. The trouble they get into. How it can be manipulated.”

“Sounds like you’d be good at public relations. You ever want to work directly with me, you let me know.”

“Really? Ohmigawd,” she says, sounding just like Keatyn. “I would totally love that!”

“Good. Now, are you going to tell me what the article says?”

“Ohmigosh, I almost forgot! Let me read it to you! It says . . .

The Golden Ticket

Well, people.
 

I’m holding in my hand a gorgeous white glittery invitation on paper so thick you could sleep on it. Captive Films invited yours truly to what they are calling a Purity Party to promote a new film project. Attendees have been asked to wear—you guessed it—white.
 

Included with the invitation is a glossy photo of Jennifer Edwards wearing a skimpy white lingerie angel costume—complete with feather wings—and tossing away a halo. On the edge of the photo, there are two sets of male hands waiting to catch it.
 
The bottom simply says #DaddysAngel.
 

After scouring the internet for information about this project, I came up empty. So I decided to do it the old-fashioned way. I hit up my sources inside the film company.
 

And here’s what I learned:

Jennifer Edwards, Knox Daniels, and Jake Worth will be starring in
Daddy’s Angel
. No word on what the movie is about, other than Jennifer’s role will showcase a double life. Her minister father thinks she’s still a virgin, when in truth, she’s promiscuous, wild, and a bit of a hellcat. Rumor also has it that Captive Films’ CEO, Riley Johnson, will have a cameo role.
 

So here’s the deal. This party has me wondering. Was the group’s recent crazy Vegas weekend—which landed them all in jail—just a publicity stunt?
 

Now I’m off to buy something white and fabulous to wear tonight. Who cares that it’s after Labor Day. When you’re as successful as Captive Films, you can break the rules.
 

Also, did you notice the unnamed hottie in the Vegas photos? My sources say that it is none other than Riley’s brother, Dawson Johnson, a recent addition to the Captive Films executive team.
 

P.S.
 
Watch out Hemsworths, your reign as the world’s hottest brothers may be coming to an end.

P.P.S.
 
Speaking of watching out . . . Dawson, I’ll be stalking you tonight. I’ll be the one in . . . Well, white.

“That’s just great,” I mutter, feeling jealous at the mention of Dawson.

“So this article could be just the beginning,” Avery says, reminding me that she’s still sitting in front of me. “Don’t you think since she suggested it, everyone will believe it?”

“That’s what we’re hoping for. Are you coming to the party tonight?”

“Yes, Mom’s letting me borrow a gorgeous white dress. She hasn’t even worn it yet. I’m so excited!”

“Why don’t you hang out near the door with Tyler and greet people.”

“Really? Ohmigawd, that would be amazing! Thanks, Vanessa. I’m heading home now to get ready.”

“Have fun. I’ll tell Tyler and see you tonight.”

“Did you get a dress?”

“I haven’t had time. I have some white dresses at home that will work,” I say.

“I thought you might say that,” she says, running out of the room and returning with a long dress bag. “I brought a dress for you to wear.”

“You did?”

“Yes, it was one of the dresses Mom had. You know designers are always sending her things. I saw the dress and knew it would look perfect on you. Or at least the you that you are today.”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem different. Happier than I’ve seen you in a while. This is a happy dress.”

“A happy dress?”

“It’s hard to explain, but yes. If you end up not liking it, it’s okay. I won’t be offended. I’ll see you tonight!”

After she leaves, I think about two things. About the reporter who will be stalking Dawson at the party, and that except for today, Avery is right, I have been the happiest I’ve been in a while.
 

Because of Dawson.
 

I acted like a little jealous brat last night and have been avoiding him all day.

And I understand. I do.
 

But it still hurt.

And the hurt surprised me.
 

And that made me mad.
 

At myself.
 

I look at the clock. Three hours until party time.
 

But I have one more thing to take care of before I go get ready.

Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County

ARIELA

I’m just walking back into Maggie’s office after my visit to the bakery to finalize the wedding cake details when I get a call from Collin.
 

“Your dad told me the good news.”

“I told him the good news on Tuesday. I expected to hear from you sooner.”

“I was out of the office until today.”

“What were you doing?”

“I took a couple personal days, Ariela,” he spews. “My wife filed for divorce. It kinda shook me.”

“Sure it did. You were so shook up that you went straight to your secretary’s arms.”

“Are you having me followed?”

“Actually, yes. And I have pictures.”

“Pictures of what?”

“Of you boning your secretary,
darling
.”

“You’re lying, pumpkin. You would never think to do something like that. You trust me. You’re just testing me.”

“Trust me, pumpkin. I’m not lying. I’m also working on a special surprise for you.”

“Yeah, your dad told me. You’re throwing a holiday party for all my clients. Big whoop.”

“That was supposed to be a secret.”

“Your dad and I are tight.”

“Collin, a quick uncontested divorce from your boss’ daughter that is nice and clean and agreeable, will be much better for you than one where all your dirty laundry gets aired by your wife.”

“You would look like a fool. No way you’d do that to your dad. You don’t have the balls.”

“I’ve grown a big set of balls in the last couple of weeks, Collin. Trust me, I already have the invitations being printed.”

“Big deal. Who you gonna send them to?”

“I take it my dad didn’t tell you everything. Like the fact that he gave me your entire client list?”

“Uh, no.”

“See, here’s the thing, Collin. I flat out lied to my dad. Wanna know what I’m really going to send out?”