by Jillian Dodd
“Yeah, just going through emails. With the sale, everyone has a lot of questions.”
“What do they want to know?”
“Mostly, what’s next for the three of you.”
“And have you told them?”
“Not yet. But I at least wanted to reply.”
I lower my voice. “Based on the way you’re ignoring Vanessa, I’m assuming you didn’t take my advice.”
“No, I didn’t. I think it’s best that we go our separate ways.”
“Why? She makes you fucking happy.”
“Speaking of fucking. If you love Ariela—which I know you do—why are you still fucking Shelby?”
I shake my head. “Fuck if I know.”
“I do know, actually,” he tells me. “Because it’s easier to do that than risk your heart again.”
The pilot lets us know we’re cleared for takeoff, so I go back to my seat next to Keatyn. Although I’d like to help my brother, all he’s going to do is turn it around on me. And I don’t need to deal with that right now.
We need to be celebrating.
Besides, we’ll be in Sonoma soon enough.
“Whatcha reading?” I ask Keatyn, who is studying something on her phone.
She rolls her eyes and shows me an article.
The Triplets are Legal. The Triplets are Legal.
As if there are any men reading this who don’t already know.
But for those of you ladies who have been wondering why your man has been glued to the internet this morning, it’s because the world’s most beautiful triplets, Avery, Emery, and Ivery Stevens, daughters of Tommy Stevens and Abby Johnston, officially turned eighteen today.
Last night they celebrated in style with a swanky party attended by their celebrity friends, and those little minxes blessed their followers with numerous live party videos.
This trio is used to being in the spotlight. Not only do they have famous parents, but they are making names for themselves.
Avery has been juggling interning in the marketing department at Captive Films with designing clothes for the successful Stevens clothing brand. Emery has been gracing catwalks around the world, and Ivery is home for a short time before continuing her European music tour.
Now for the party details:
— The girls made a big entrance, arriving in a pink helicopter decked out in tight club clothes and sky-high designer shoes.
— Little sister, Gracelyn, danced all night with none other than the youngest Summer Boy crooner, Dylan, who posted a photo of the two of them kissing, causing thousands of teeny bopper hearts around the world to break.
— Twenty-four-year-old bad boy rapper, Treska, who has been romantically linked to Emery even though they say they are just friends, didn’t try to hide their relationship last night. The pair are clearly a couple who were just waiting for her birthday to make it official.
— Ivery spent the evening surrounded by her girl power posse, who posted most of the sexy pics and videos that set the male population a flutter.
— The on and off again couple, Keatyn Douglas and Knox Daniels, showed up fashionably late together after attending a Trinity wrap party with the local crew.
— And what did Daddy Stevens buy his now legal daughters? A trio of the megahot red “Rosso Bia” Lamborghini Aventador Superveloce. (Which for those of you who don’t speak Italian means, super fast and super expensive—to the tune of about a half million dollars apiece—along with a brand new Gulfstream jet for them to share.
P.S. Can I just say that Tommy is one of those men who keeps getting sexier the older he gets. That little splash of grey at the temples. Meow. I’d totally go reverse cougar all over him.
P.P.S. Speaking of that, I need to know how Abby Johnston always looks like she’s found the fountain of youth. Dealing with four high profile and successful teenaged daughters ought to give anyone a few wrinkles, but Abby seems to take it all in stride. Or else she’s got a really good plastic surgeon.
“What upsets you about that? They wrote a similar article after your eighteenth.”
“Although I should be happy no one knows about the wedding and thinks Knox and I are together, I hate when they talk about me and Knox as a couple.”
“But for years, the two of you haven’t set the record straight because it was good for business.”
“I know. It’s hard sometimes, though.”
I grab her hand. “Just think, tomorrow you are marrying the love of your life. And that’s all that matters.”
She gives my hand a squeeze. “You’re right. That’s all that’s ever mattered.”
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
DAWSON
Vanessa is in the kitchen helping Keatyn prepare a cheese tray for everyone to snack on. I don’t know what to do about her. I really don’t.
But I do know that I love her.
I should be a man. Talk to her.
But I don’t know what to say. Don’t know if she even wants to talk to me.
She looks up from what she’s doing and smiles in my direction. It’s a soft, sad smile.
And it wrecks me.
I catch her eye, nod my head in the direction of the room I’m staying in, and head that way—praying like hell she will follow.
When I open the door and turn around, I’m happy to find her standing alongside me. I smile and allow her to go in first.
She perches on the edge of the bed. “Hey,” she says.
“Hey,” I say back.
“Are you still mad at me?”
“I’m not sure what I am,” I answer honestly.
“Dawson, will you let me explain about Bam? Like actually listen and try to understand?”
I nod.
“When we split, it devastated me. I couldn’t eat. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t work. I could barely get out of bed. Losing the baby and being told I couldn’t have more children broke me. To make matters worse, my husband was with another woman when it happened. He didn’t support me. Even though when it happened I swore I never wanted to see him again, there was a part of me that still loved him. That wanted him to come home, take me in his arms, and tell me it would be okay.”
“Which he finally did this week.”
“Two years too late. I’m sorry that I introduced you as my coworker and not my love. But you don’t know Bam. He’s used to getting what he wants. If he thought I was with someone else, it would only make him want me more.”
I squint my eyes. “You don’t want to make him want you more?”
“No, I don’t. I’m glad that we got a divorce, and I have no desire to get back together with him.”
“I heard he proposed.”
“He did. And we had the most heartfelt conversation we’ve had in years. It was something that I needed.”
“Why?”
“So I could get some closure and truly move on. With you, I hope. I still want you and the girls to move in with me.”
“Vanessa, I love you, but I don’t think I’m the right guy for you. So, I think it’s best that we both cut our losses and move on.”
“Dawson, what aren’t you telling me? I know that you’re keeping something from me. You made me get naked, but I don’t think you have.”
“You don’t get it. I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to keep dredging up the past. I’m trying to get over it! I’ve been trying for two years to get over it!” I yell.
“You’re upset just talking about talking about it. I need to know, Dawson. I need to understand.”
“Fine. You want the truth, here it is. Everything I have—the house, the car, the suits, the credit cards—isn’t mine. I’m broke. No retirement. No savings. Nothing. I couldn’t have moved here if it weren’t for Keatyn’s generosity. I couldn’t have even gotten a cheap apartment. I have no money. You have everything. And whatever you don’t have, Bam wants to give you.” Fuck. I can’t do this. “Not only can I not give you anything, you don’t fucking need anything. I have noth
ing to offer you.”
“Why don’t you have any money, Dawson?”
I shake my head.
“You made me get naked and tell you everything. What haven’t you told me? What did you do?”
“What did I do? Oh sure, it’s my fault. That’s exactly what everyone thinks. How did he not know? Easy. One day it was all there. The next day it was all gone. And within a few weeks, so was the guy she invested all our money with.” I bury my face in my hands. “And then she was dead. She fucking killed herself because she lost all our money and was afraid to tell me. Afraid to tell me she hadn’t made a house payment in months. That creditors were calling every day. She told me she made a bad investment, and we took a hit, but she said it would be fine. She lied.” I look up at her. “Just go, Vanessa. Please. I have nothing to offer you.”
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
RILEY
We’re sitting on the front porch of Aiden and Keatyn’s house, rocking and chatting like we always do when we’re here. Ariela is still hard at work but told me she’d meet up with me later.
“You know, I’m starting to think I’d like a place up in Sonoma,” I say. “A place to get away. A place to raise a family. I’d like to have a place like our house in the Hamptons. Big enough where my whole family could stay, just on the opposite coast.”
“I think your family would love that,” Keatyn says.
“Do you think I could find something like that, close to you like Knox will be?”
“Knox’s place is a stone’s throw away,” Grandpa says.
“I can have Aiden get you in touch with a local realtor,” Keatyn tells me. “He always calls when land goes on the market, and a lot of times he calls before it does. You might also think about building what you want.”
“Building? How long would that take?”
“At least a year, if not two—wait. There’s a house that we went to a few years ago. The architecture was amazing. Very modern.”
“I’m not sure if I like modern anymore.”
“Riley, it’s not the decor of your penthouse that feels cold, it’s you being lonely. And even though this house is modern, it’s got a ton of wood that makes it feel cozy.”
Aiden, Dallas, and Knox join us on the porch.
“We wore Bliss out,” Knox says. “Now, I want a dog. Have you ever seen such a little cutie?”
“Aiden,” Keatyn says, “do you remember that house near here—the one I said was like a modern loft?”
“The Martins, Bud and Trish’s house?”
“Yes, that’s it. Do you think they would be interested in selling?”
“Well, I think with the right price they might. Their daughter moved to North Carolina, and they’ve been saying they miss their grandkids. You want me to call them?”
Keatyn raises an eyebrow in my direction. I shrug back. “Why not?”
“I mean, it can’t hurt to ask,” Keatyn encourages.
Aiden gets on the phone and makes a call while we all listen. The further along the conversation goes, the bigger her grin gets.
And I’ll admit, mine does too. The couple seems amiable to an offer, so Aiden sets up a time for me to see the house tomorrow.
“I’ll go with you,” Knox tells me. “I close on my place in a couple weeks. I’m practically an expert.”
“Keatyn, will you come inside with me?” Aiden says. “I can’t find those crackers, and Marvel is down in the barn cooking up a storm.”
“Uh, sure,” she says.
“Bring some more wine out when you come,” I tell her as they go inside.
“Where’s your brother and Miss Bossy Pants?” Knox asks.
“Miss Bossy Pants?” Grandpa says. “You must be referring to Vanessa.”
“I am. She’s something, huh?”
“She’s smart. Speaking of smart, Hollywood. That Ariela that has your panties in a twist is also one smart cookie. If she were as confident in her personal life as she is in her professional one, she’d have you wrapped up in ribbons with flowers in your hair. Wait until you see this place tomorrow. I know most men aren’t much for noticing the little shit, but that girl has got the details covered.”
“Sounds like you have a crush,” Grandma teases.
“If I was a single young man and hadn’t already met the love of my life, I’d be on that like white on rice,” Grandpa says with a laugh. “Speaking of that, Hollywood, you looked rode hard and hung up wet this morning. I heard you got some girl knocked up.”
“We’re not sure the baby is his,” Dallas states.
“And if it is?”
“I’ll take care of it,” I assure him.
“Good man,” he says. “Now, run on in the house and see what’s taking them so long with the wine. It’s colder than a witch’s tit out here, and I need something to warm these old bones.”
I’m thankful for a reason to stop talking about Shelby and the baby. It’s the last thing I want to be discussing when Ariela joins us. As I enter the kitchen, I notice movement out of the corner of my eye and see Aiden has Keatyn pushed into the corner of the pantry. His hand is up under her dress and they are kissing passionately.
And I know what’s about to happen next.
I quickly vacate the kitchen and head back to the porch.
When I sit back down, Knox says, “Where’s the wine?”
“Aiden is bringing it out. He’ll be just a minute.”
Later in the evening, I pull Aiden aside.
“I gotta know. Did you just have a quickie in the pantry?” The immediate grin on his face tells me all I need to know. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why a quickie? You’ve been together forever. Don’t you just do it missionary position in bed once a month by now?”
Aiden laughs and shakes his head. He’s never been one to kiss and tell, but he says, “Not even close.”
“I’m not trying to pry, and I don’t want details, but I need to know how monogamy works. Tell me the last five times you did it and where.”
“Well, the pantry about an hour ago. With her pregnancy, she’s been really tired at night. And in the mornings, she’s felt sort of sick.”
“Oh, I get it. Had it been a while?”
He shakes his head again. “No. Okay, fine. Last five times were the quickie in the pantry, at three o’clock this morning—she woke up, couldn’t go back to sleep, so she drug me outside and sat me in the chaise. She was on top the first time. I took her back to bed, and we finally got back to sleep around five—”
“Okay, so now you’re just bragging.”
He grins. “I’m lucky. But so is Dallas. He says baby number five happened when they did it in the back of a limo. Your sex life is what you make it, Riley. If you make your woman feel desired and loved, you’ll never be bored in the bedroom.” He grins. “Or, wherever.”
“So all those times I think you’re old and boring when you say you’re tired and want to go home—”
“It’s usually because we’re horny.”
“Jeez, why don’t you just say that then?”
He doesn’t reply, just lifts an eyebrow at me and walks out the door.
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
VANESSA
Dawson’s head is down. He’s so upset.
I move behind him and give him a tight hug.
“I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving you, Dawson.” I start crying. The thought of not being with him tears me to pieces. Back to the pieces of what was left after Bam. Dawson has made my heart whole again, and he doesn’t even understand how valuable that makes him.
He keeps his head down and repeats, “I have nothing to give.”
“Dawson, that’s what you don’t understand. You’ve already given me the one thing I’ve never truly had. The one thing I need. And that’s love. In case you’ve never heard the saying Money can’t buy love, it’s true. I’m proof. I’ll give it all away if you want. If it will put us on a level playing field.
I just want love. I just want to be loved.”
He raises his head slightly.
“I do love you.”
“I know you do. I swear to you. It’s all I’ll ever need. Please.”
He touches my face and pulls me onto his lap, kissing me and sliding his hands up my blouse.
“No,” I say.
“Why?”
“Because you still haven’t told me everything.”
He hangs his head. “You’re right. I haven’t.”
“The girls told me the other night that their mama spent all your money. How did she wipe you out? What did she do with the money?” I run my hand gently across my forearm.
“I really don’t want to talk about it, Vanessa.”
“You have to. I can see it in your eyes, Dawson. You need to. And I need to understand. Please tell me.”
He takes a deep breath. “She always had issues with her family. Her sister, Winnie, was her mother’s favorite and could do no wrong. Even though I told her over and over that what her family thought didn’t matter, she was always trying to impress them. To get back in her mother’s good graces. I traveled a lot for my job. We had a nanny that helped her take care of the kids, but because I worked a lot, a lot of the household duties were left to her, like paying the bills. Anyway, she invested all our money into some fund her mom told her about. It was Winnie’s husband’s deal, and she was trying to help.
“She never felt good enough for her family and this was one thing she could do. I get her motivation, but she never asked me. Obviously, you never want to invest all your money in the same place. Even her mother didn’t invest that much.
“Turns out brother-in-law had gotten mixed up with some shady people. She lost everything, but never told me. Not even when it was on the news. Not when he was arrested. When he was set to go to trial about six months later, I came home and found her in tears. She suffered from depression and tears were common, but she sat me down and confessed that she had gotten notice that our house was being foreclosed on because she hadn’t paid the mortgage in months. Then she told me the truth about investing all our money and that we had lost everything.
