by Jillian Dodd
“Oh my gosh,” she says, looking around. “It’s a princess pony room!”
She rushes over and hugs my legs, then sets out to explore every nook and cranny.
“I have my own desk! And my own bathroom. And I have gold hearts in my bathroom! And I can pretend to have tea parties, and I can see the ponies from my window! And look! I can go straight from my room to the playroom without going out into the hall!”
“What do you think of your sister’s room, Ava?” I ask, even though I can tell by the look on her face that she thinks it’s great for her little sister but not for someone her age.
“It’s perfect for her,” she replies, nervously twisting her hair.
“While Harlow is busy, why don’t we walk across the hall and take a peek at your room? See what you think.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“This time, I’ll let Vanessa do the honors—”
“No! Daddy!” Harlow comes tearing out of her room. “That’s supposed to be my job! I wanna see sissy’s room, too. Does it look like mine?”
“Do you think Ava would like a princess pony room?” I ask her.
She shakes her little head. “Nope. She likes boys now.”
“Harlow!” Ava says in irritation as her sister flings open the door to Ava’s sleepover room. “I do not.”
“Wow!” Harlow says, taking in the room. “We can have sleepovers in here!”
“No,” I say gently. “If you have sleepovers, you can have them in the playroom. This is for Ava to have her friends over.”
“Which bed am I supposed to sleep in?” Ava asks, looking at the sets of bunk beds.
“Don’t worry, Ava,” Harlow says sweetly. “If you get scared, I will sleep in here with you.”
“This isn’t your bedroom, honey,” Vanessa says, guiding her around the room. “This is your hangout space for when your friends come over.”
“It’s the coolest hangout space I’ve ever seen,” Ava says, a smile playing on her face. “I love the funky chandeliers.”
“Look, Ava!” Harlow yells, throwing herself onto the floor. “Furry sleeping bags!”
Vanessa takes Ava by the hand and moves her through the room, showing her the snack bar and shelves filled with games. “And this door takes you through to your new closet and bathroom.”
“It’s really big!”
“Well, a girl does need her clothes,” Vanessa says. “And I can’t wait to take you shopping. We can’t have a closet like this only filled with school uniforms.”
“And, look,” I say, turning her around, “over here, you have a place to study and, over here, a place to watch television.”
“And then there’s your bedroom,” Vanessa says, leading her into the next room.
Ava walks into the space and covers her face with her hands.
“What’s wrong, honey?” I ask, rubbing her shoulder.
When she drops her hands to her sides, I can see that her eyes are full of tears.
“It’s just all so beautiful,” she blubbers. “I can’t believe this is my room. Harlow and I have been sharing a room at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Now, I’ll have privacy. And it’s a grown-up room. Not a kid’s room.”
“Well, you’re not a kid anymore,” Vanessa says, pulling her into her arms and petting the top of her hair. “You’re a young woman. I’m so glad you like it.”
“I don’t just like it,” she says, squeezing Vanessa. “I love it, Mom.”
Tears immediately fill Vanessa’s eyes and, well, mine too.
Monday, November 3rd
Captive Films - Santa Monica
RILEY
“Baby mama, line one,” Tyler says to me over the intercom.
I pick up the phone, already irritated. “Hey, Shelby. You back in town? I’d like to talk to you.” I need to let her know how our relationship is going to change, going forward.
“Not exactly. Um, Riley, I actually have something I need—”
Tyler walks in and drops a newspaper article on my desk and mouthes, Read this!
Being that he never interrupts me on a call without good reason, I say, “Uh, hang on, Shelby. I need to put you on hold for just a second.”
I read the headline.
International polo star and billionaire industrial heir, Juan Fabio “Bam” Martinez married former waitress, Shelby Benson, in a private ceremony at his family’s castle in Italy.
“What the fuck is this?” I ask Tyler. “Why didn’t you tell me about this? It was announced yesterday.”
“Well, I didn’t see it. I took the day off.”
“And did what?”
“If you must know, Raul and I attended puppy power classes with Cici.”
“Who is Cici?”
He rolls his eyes. “Celine Elizabeth. Remember I told you we were expecting?”
“Oh, yeah. I do. Sorry.”
He slides another long article across my desk. I read the title, and then my eyes scan down to what he has highlighted.
My sources also suggest that Miss Benson is with child—apparently, Bam’s, thus the quickie wedding.
“The baby mama is now married to Vanessa’s ex-husband, and they are expecting? Is this the same baby that’s supposed to be yours?”
“The fuck?” I say. “Do you think she got pregnant by both of us?”
“You know, I have heard that’s possible. Women have actually had two eggs fertilized by two different fathers. The babies come out like twins, but genetically, they aren’t. It’s quite fascinating. I think I read about it in one of the British tabloids.”
I shake my head at him, leave Shelby on hold, hit another line, and call Vanessa. I hear her phone ringing just as she walks into my office with the same article in her hand and Dawson right behind her.
“Did you see this?” she screeches. “Bam is the baby’s father, not you?”
“Tyler just showed me. And she’s on line one.”
“Well, before you pick up, look at this!” She flashes a photo of Shelby and Bam, looking happily married.
I hold my hand up. “Stay put. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” I take a calming breath and then pick the phone back up. “You still there, Shelby?”
“Yes. What I wanted to tell you, Riley, is that I got married this weekend. And I just had to call and thank you.”
“You want to thank me?” I ask incredulously.
“Yes, if it wasn’t for you, I never would have found the love of my life. You were nice to me when a lot of guys wouldn’t have been, and I am ashamed to tell you this, but it isn’t your baby, Riley.”
“It’s Bam’s?”
“Um, yes. I’m sorry. I know I told you I hadn’t slept with anyone else, but the ultrasound showed that I was further along than I’d thought.”
“How far along are you?”
“I thought I was only eight weeks, but it turns out that I’m really twelve.”
“That’s a big difference, Shelby.”
“I know, but the first month, I had a light period, so I didn’t know until I missed the next one. And I had been with just you that month. The first time with Bam was, you know, just a thing, and then our paths crossed again at the hotel. I wouldn’t have seen him again otherwise.”
“I’m surprised he recognized you. You look different.”
“That’s just the thing,” she says. “He didn’t recognize me, but he was attracted to me again. That is just further proof that we were meant to be, you know? Please don’t be mad at me, Riley. I was serious when I said I loved you. I just love Bam more. And, now, you can be with Ariela. I know you were confused about her, but you shouldn’t be. I want you to be as deliriously happy as I am. And I’d like to pay you back for the clothes you bought me. For the bungalow.”
“That’s not necessary, Shelby. I wish you and Bam the best. Um, Shelby, I’m not sure if you are aware, but I know Bam. He was married to Vanessa, who is a good friend of mine. She does PR for Captive.”
“I didn’t know that. Sma
ll world, huh?”
“Did Bam tell you about her? About why they split?”
“He told me he made a lot of mistakes with her.”
“Did he tell you those mistakes included a lot of infidelity?”
“Aw, Riley,” she says, getting a little choked up. “Are you telling me that because you care? That’s so sweet. I am well aware of my new husband’s ways and fully support all his sexual desires. I’m really sorry, Riley. I did love you, but Juan is my soul mate. And he gave me this incredible ring that was a perfect fit, made just for me. We had an instant bond.”
I’ll bet you did.
“Well, that’s fantastic,” I say to her. Fuck. “I guess congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you, Riley. Bam is having all my things packed up from the bungalow and shipped to us, so you won’t have to worry about that.”
“Okay, thanks. Bye, Shelby.”
“Riley?” she whispers. “You are one of the most honest and kind men I’ve ever met. I hope you’ll remember our time together fondly.”
“Uh, sure,” I say, hanging up and face-planting my head on the desk.
“What the fuck?” Vanessa says, exactly mimicking my thoughts. “Why were you being so nice to her? She lied to you, or she’s lying to Bam. How far along is she?”
“She said that she’s about twelve weeks. She was supposed to be eight weeks this week. Said something about a light period the first month, and she didn’t know. That she didn’t find out until the ultrasound.”
“Do you believe her?”
“I do,” Dawson says, interrupting.
“What? Why?” she asks, her head on a swivel.
“Because I knew there was something off about the ultrasound photo Riley showed me. It didn’t look like the one you got at the doctor’s office.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” I give him a hard stare, letting him know that I’m pissed.
“Because I wasn’t sure. I figured, if she was lying about how far along she was, she’d show soon. Plus, you said you were going to get a paternity test in a few weeks.”
I run my hands through my hair and then squeeze my head. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“Finish telling us what she said about Bam. How did they meet?” Tyler says, taking a seat, ready for the gossip. I’m surprised he didn’t bring in popcorn.
“I’m not sure how they met the first time, but they became reacquainted at the hotel I put her up at.”
Vanessa rolls her eyes. “Bam always gets a bungalow there. What else did she say?”
“She and Juan are soul mates, who are crazy in love. The baby was never mine. She was pregnant when we met. You all were right. She was a gold digger.”
“And she literally just struck gold with Bam!” Tyler slaps his leg while bursting into laughter.
“Are you okay?” my brother asks, taking a seat in a chair directly in front of me.
I nod my head. “I think so, yes. I mean, this is good. I’m not the father. I don’t have to deal with Shelby.” I take a deep breath, knowing that I’m lying. I feel like I just got the wind knocked out of me.
“I’d bet money Bam isn’t the father either,” Vanessa goes on. “He’s just a bigger catch. Did you notice, in the photo, she’s wearing the ring he tried to give me? I wonder how many women he tried to give it to before one said yes.”
“I don’t know, but she said the incredible ring was a perfect fit and made just for her.”
“Bullshit,” Vanessa coughs, causing Tyler to laugh again.
“Well, Mrs. Johnson,” my brother says in an irritated tone, “I hope that you couldn’t care less about Bam or the ring.”
“Mrs. Johnson,” she says, practically melting and glancing affectionately down at the wedding ring on her finger.
“What I want to know is, why I wasn’t invited to the wedding,” Tyler chides Vanessa, taking the conversation in a completely different direction.
“Um,” I say, getting up, “I need some air.”
I storm out of my office, go down the elevator, and bolt out the front door. I pace in front of the building for a bit and then sit down on a bench.
It’s not my baby.
My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. On one hand, I’m relieved, but on the other … I’m hurt.
I have my eyes shut and am trying to simply focus on breathing when my phone rings. I pull it out of my jacket pocket and see that it’s Ariela.
When I answer and put the phone up to my ear, she doesn’t even bother to say hello.
“Riley, when we spoke, did you know that Shelby was off in Italy, marrying someone else?”
“No. How did you find out?”
“Kyle has become obsessed with the gossip columns. You also didn’t bother to tell me that your brother got married.”
“It was a crazy weekend, Ariela,” I say, getting pissed. “And I invited you to come join me, but you were too busy. Excuse me for not calling and giving you a play-by-play.”
“Did you just find out?” she says with a sigh.
“Yeah. Look, I don’t really feel like talking, Ariela.” Fuck. Why does everything have to be so fucking difficult? “Today hasn’t been the best day of my life.”
“Does that mean you are upset Shelby got married to someone else?”
“Jesus, Ariela. I don’t need this shit right now. Good-bye.”
“Riley, no, wait. I’m sorry. Let me rephrase that. Tell me why you are upset.”
“Why do you think? Because I had finally accepted the fact that I was the father. She showed me an ultrasound. A picture of my baby.” I stop and take a breath, trying to keep my shit together. “Only to find out it wasn’t ever mine.”
“Hmm,” she says. “You’re not reacting the way I thought you would. I thought you’d be pissed for being lied to.”
“I am, but I’m also really surprisingly sad.”
“Oh, Riley. I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. Hey, I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Are you still coming up for our date tomorrow?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say, not really caring right now.
In the car - Holmby Hills
VANESSA
I can weave a story with so many twists and turns that a journalist can’t keep up. I’m able to spin just about anything, allowing my clients to stay a few steps ahead of the paparazzi. Right now, though, I feel like I’m in a tangled web of deceit.
I grab the diagram that maps out the school’s pickup procedure and read it one more time. I’ve gone over every detail, but I still get an angry horn honk when I attempt to turn in the wrong direction. Fortunately, this happens before the children are released and I don’t embarrass the girls.
Eventually, I find the correct lot, navigating myself through the cars parked in the pickup line.
With my job, I won’t always be able to pick up the girls from school. I have an interview with a highly recommended part-time nanny later this week, but I wanted to be here today, when they walk out on their first day.
I glance around at the other people waiting. There’s a mix of nannies, yoga-clothing-clad women, and those who are dressed more professionally, like I am. I wish RiAnne had stayed here to help me learn the ropes rather than leaving me to this fresh hell.
And I don’t know why I’m nervous. Maybe nervous is the wrong word. I’m not nervous for me. I’m hoping that the girls had a great first day. I guess I’m nervous for them. Especially Ava. She was in the fourth grade at her old school—because she went to preschool an extra year—but due to her age and test scores, she was put in the fifth grade here. That’s good because it means she and Fallon are in the same class. Really, I don’t know why I’m worrying. Yes, I do. Because I want them to be happy.
Ava comes out of the school with RiAnne’s daughter, Fallon, and another girl. They are a striking trio. All are tall with long hair—Ava’s dark, Fallon’s brown, and the other girl’s blonde. I notice a lot of hair tossing and then giggle
s when some of the boys walk by. Honestly, Ava reminds me a lot of myself at her age. Smart. Confident. The difference is, I always felt like I had something to prove. Ava seems content in her own skin.
She makes eye contact with me. I start to move my hand to wave at her but quickly drop it to my side, not wanting to embarrass her.
Harlow, on the other hand, comes barreling out of the door with Carder and another boy in tow. She somehow spots me in the crowd and drags the boys over.
“Can Carder and Brady come over and play today? I told them we could swim or ride ponies!”
I wasn’t expecting this, but it makes me smile. “It’s okay with me if it’s okay with their parents.”
She gives me a hug, then takes the boys’ hands and says, “Let’s go ask!”
Ava slowly saunters over, eyeing her sister along the way. She rolls her eyes and says, “Figures she would have two boys holding her hands on the first day of school.”
“Your sister is very outgoing.” I get a shrug in reply. “Plus, it’s easier when you’re that age. They aren’t thinking about boys in the same way as someone your age might.”
She brightens. “I guess that’s true.”
“Did you have a good day?”
She opens her mouth to reply, but Harlow bounds back over.
She’s frowning, and she has her arms crossed in front of her. “They say we have to set up a playdate in advance.”
“We will do that then,” I tell her. “What do you say we go home, have a snack, and take the ponies out for a ride?”
“I’m on a diet,” Ava states.
“We’ll be sure to make a healthy snack. And I know that my chef wants to talk to you both about your favorite meals, so he can put them on the menu.”
“I want Chinese!” Harlow yells out, rubbing her belly.
As we’re walking to the car, a woman passes by me and says, “Your girls are beautiful.”
My initial reaction is to say they aren’t mine, but I catch myself when I realize that they actually are now. And I hope that if their momma is watching over them, this makes her happy.
