Money (The Keatyn Chronicles Book 10) (10 page)

Then the question will become
—
when will Knox and Keatyn get married?
 

And can I pretty please get an invitation?

P.S.
 
I take back my earlier statement. I
’
d totally brave the halls of Captive Films if it meant I could get knocked up by Knox freaking Daniels or one of the Johnson brothers.

After reading it, I look at Jennifer.
“
What else did the article get right, besides the part about Dallas?
”

“
Knox dumped me.
”

“
Sugar,
”
Knox says, tilting his head at her.

She flips him off.
 

Then smiles at him.

“
We made a mutual decision to be friends since we are going to be working together,
”
Knox says, sounding like he
’
s reading from an official press release.

Jennifer rolls her eyes.
“
So what do you guys think? Is Keatyn just bloated? I mean, we all have our days. It
’
s called being a woman. Or do you think she might really be pregnant?
”

We all give her the same blank look, which makes us appear totally guilty.

“
No shit? Wait a second. That fundraiser we got invited to. Are she and Aiden getting married?!
”
she screeches.

“
Shh!
”
Knox covers her mouth with his hand just as Vanessa and my brother burst through the door.
 

“
The more the merrier,
”
I say sarcastically.

“
Did you see this?
”
Vanessa asks, tossing the paper on my desk.
“
Is it true? Did you knock up the skank?
”

“
I
’
m not sure she qualifies as a skank,
”
I defend.

“
She offered to have a threesome with Ariela ten seconds after she met her. What would you call her?
”

“
Adventurous?
”
Dallas offers, causing everyone else to laugh. But then he continues.
“
Vanessa, why don
’
t you and I go to my office and discuss the situation since there are numerous legal issues involved.
”

“
Fine,
”
she says with a huff, then points at me.
“
Don
’
t think you
’
re off the hook for not telling me about this.
”

“
I just found out last night myself!
”
 

“
Whatever,
”
she says, marching off.
 

“
Looks like it
’
s been a busy morning here,
”
Dawson says, sitting on the sofa after pouring himself coffee.

“
Where have you been?
”

“
The girls have their school visit today. I told you I
’
d be late.
”

“
Shit, I forgot.
”

“
Sounds like you have a lot going on. I
’
m just praying no one calls in tears begging to leave. What can I say? I kinda like it here.
”

“
You and Vanessa are getting down and dirty,
”
Knox says.
“
I like it. Alright, people. I
’
m off. Got a call time in twenty.
”

“
Jennifer, you have a wardrobe fitting today, don
’
t you?
”
Tyler asks.
“
If you
’
d like, I
’
ll escort you down.
”

“
As long as you escort me by some donuts and get me a cup of your amazing coffee on the way,
”
she says, taking his arm and letting him lead her out of the room while Tyler beams.

Dawson moves from the couch to a chair in front of my desk.

“
How are you doing?
”
he asks sincerely.
“
I remember how shocked I was when Whitney told me she was pregnant. At first, I didn
’
t believe her.
”

“
I didn
’
t believe Shelby either. But I watched her pee on a stick. Watched the line turn pink. She
’
s definitely pregnant. Just don
’
t know for sure if it
’
s mine, but I
’
m pretty sure that it is.
”

“
Well, then, congrats, bro. Having children is a wondrous thing.
”

“
I
’
m getting Shelby an apartment. Do you think that
’
s stupid of me, not knowing for sure?
”

“
No, I don
’
t. If she is the mother of your child, you want to treat her with respect, Riley.
”

“
And if she
’
s not?
”

“
Then you say goodbye and wish her the best.
”

I smile.
“
Thanks. I needed to hear that.
”

Asher Vineyards
—
Sonoma County

ARIELA

I
’
m outside checking the progress on the brick path Keatyn wanted installed when I notice a black town car pull up to the house.

Kyle gets out of the car and waves, so I go down to greet him.
 

“
Asher Vineyards, huh? This looks like a pretty swanky place,
”
he says, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“
So is this really the land Keatyn gave to Aiden at the end of the movie?
”
 

“
Yes, they actually filmed that scene here.
”

“
Can I see the spot where they stood?
”

“
Sure, come on. We can drop your bags off in one of the guest houses on the way.
”

“
There
’
s more than one guest house?
”

“
There are four on this property here. You
’
ll be staying in one with me.
”

He gives me a devilish grin.
“
Are we sharing a bed?
”

“
No.
”

“
Oh, I get it. You
’
ll pretend you
’
re sleep walking and accidentally fall on my dick.
”

I laugh.
“
I don
’
t think so. But the other guest houses are being prepped for the family and friends who will be staying on site.
”

As we walk toward one of the little casitas, he says,
“
This looks like a normal house. I thought guest houses were supposed to be small.
”

“
These aren
’
t. Each one is about fifteen hundred square feet and feature two bedroom suites along with a small kitchen, living, and dining room. The one across the way there is larger and has three bedrooms.
”
We drop his bags off and then continue to the spot.

“
Is that an altar? I thought the party was a fundraiser.
”

“
It is,
”
I say carefully.
“
But there
’
s going to be a wedding at it.
”

“
Keatyn and Aiden got engaged recently,
”
he says.

“
Yes, they did. But the wedding is a vow renewal for Maggie and Logan.
”

“
Logan was Aiden
’
s best friend, played lacrosse, and was the Bad Prince in the school play, right?
”
he asks, citing what he knows from the movie.

“
Yes, he and Maggie
—”

“
Dance team. Funny as shit. She and Logan got back together on the play stage,
”
he interrupts.

I narrow my eyes at him.
 

He rolls his.
“
Fine. I went and saw the movie again and took notes. I figured I
’
d need to know who all the players are. So Logan and Maggie are married and they want to renew their vows and you have to plan not only a fundraiser but a wedding, too?
”

“
Exactly.
”

“
Sweet. So what do you want me to do?
”

I hand him a notebook filled with lists.
“
Start at the top and work your way down. Make sure everything is getting done. If it
’
s not, come find me.
”

He leans in close to me.
“
Oh, don
’
t worry, tonight, I
’
ll come find you. Especially now that I know where you
’
re sleeping.
”

“
I lock my door,
”
I tease.

“
Won
’
t matter. You
’
ll be coming to me.
”

Vanessa
’
s Estate - Holmby Hills

VANESSA

I
’
m just pulling into my driveway when I get an unexpected call from Bam
’
s mother.

“
Vanessa, darling. How good it is to hear your voice.
”

“
Thank you. Are you and Mr. Martinez well?
”

“
That is why I
’
m phoning you. My beloved husband is on death
’
s doorstep.
”

“
Oh, I
’
m so sorry. When did he become ill?
”

“
The doctors found cancer just a few months ago. It is aggressive and too advanced to do much other than keep him comfortable until he passes.
”

“
Is there anything I can do for you?
”

“
Actually, there is. You and Juan must reconcile immediately.
”

“
He
’
s dating some model.
”

“
They broke up.
”

“
They did have quite an age difference,
”
I say, trying my best to keep the snark out of my voice.

As in she was barely eighteen when he met her.
 

“
You are a fine woman, Vanessa. Although, I didn
’
t understand your need to work, I still respected it. But I think it
’
s time that you and Juan settle down. Have a family.
”

“
That will be kind of difficult since we got divorced,
”
I reply flatly.

“
I hear your tone, Vanessa. I know it well. I am not just an old woman pining for grandchildren. My son has changed his ways, as well. Please get in touch with him.
”

“
With all due respect, Bam didn
’
t love me enough not to cheat on me. And you barely tolerated my existence.
”

“
Yes, well, it is difficult for any woman to compete with the love a mother has for her son. In retrospect, I may have been a little hard on you. For that I apologize.
”