Sunday, October 12th
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
ARIELA
I’m lying across my bed talking to Riley on the phone like I used to do in high school.
He’s in L.A. all week, and I’ll be at the vineyard getting everything set for Keatyn and Aiden’s wedding. We agreed to talk every night and decide at the wedding if we wanted to move forward with a relationship.
I already know I do.
I’m so glad we both ended up at Eastbrooke for homecoming. It’s hard to believe that neither of us had ever been back.
Well, not that surprising for me but, I have to say, I was shocked he hadn’t gone either.
For years, I’ve thought about—dreamed about—what I would say if I saw him there again, but the reality was better than I had imagined.
I feel like we can move forward now. Not forget the past, but get past it—if that makes sense.
And when Riley says, “I think that’s what this weekend did for me. When we said goodbye, I started focusing on what could be—what, hopefully, will be—and not on what should’ve been,” I feel even more hopeful, practically giddy.
“That’s a big shift in mentality,” I say, then hear a shrill voice calling out Riley’s name.
“Shelby, what are you doing here?” Riley says. “I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”
I cringe when I hear the name Shelby. She’s the girl who was in his penthouse wearing practically nothing when Riley and I went there after dancing at the club.
“I need to talk to you, Riley,” she says. “It’s important. Can I please come up?”
Um, no! I don’t want her going anywhere with him! “Shelby, as in naked, leather-strap, threesome Shelby?” I ask, reminding Riley that I’m still on the phone.
“Uh, hang on,” he says to me, doing something that muffles his conversation but still allows me to hear.
“Whatever you need to say, you can say here,” Riley says to her.
“God, you’re such an ass,” she hisses loudly. “I thought you might want to do this in private.”
“I don’t want to do anything with you—in public or in private,” he says, causing my heart to swell. He loves me. I know deep down in my heart that he still loves me.
And that’s all that matters.
He told me he’s been with a lot of women but only been serious with one. Me.
And I can handle it. I can be confident knowing that I was the only one to ever have his heart, regardless of what others may have done with his body.
“Well, you’re going to have to now, Riley,” Shelby shrills. “Because I’m pr—”
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. The call drops.
I quickly call back, but it goes straight to voicemail.
I pick up one of the menus I was reviewing before Riley called and double check it for accuracy, but I can’t seem to concentrate because what I heard as the call ended keeps replaying in the back of my mind.
I’m pr—
I’m pr—
I’m pr—
Oh my God. Did she just tell him that she’s pregnant?
Riley’s Penthouse - L.A.
RILEY
I’m wearing a huge smile as I get dropped off at my building and walk through the door, talking to Ariela on the phone.
Having her come back into my life after so many years has been both excruciating and exhilarating. But this weekend changed things. We faced our past together and, in one week, we’re going to decide if we want to pursue a future together.
As much as I want to be with her, honestly, I’m a little torn about it.
Part of me wants nothing more than to pretend we never broke up. But the reality is that she’s married. And even though she filed for a divorce, I wonder if it’s too much too soon.
In a very short time—on a whim—she came to California, was reunited with me, slept with me, filed for a divorce, got a new job, and faced her demons at Eastbrooke. I mean, how many more life changes can she throw at herself all at once?
I loved her with everything I was in high school, and I was devastated when she left with nothing more than a goodbye.
And since she’s come back, she’s wreaked more havoc in my life.
Soon, I’ll have to decide if I want to risk another relationship with her. Even though she still looks like the girl I loved, she’s different—life, age, and time have that effect.
“Riley!” A shrill voice stops me in my tracks, wiping the smile off my face.
“Shelby, what are you doing here?” I ask, as she gets up from the couch in the lobby. “I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”
“I need to talk to you, Riley. It’s important. Can I please come up?”
I know girls like her. No way I’m letting her come up.
Ever.
“Shelby, as in naked, leather-strap, threesome Shelby?” Ariela asks in my ear.
“Uh, hang on,” I say to her, putting the phone against my chest. Then I say discreetly, “Shelby, whatever you need to say, you can say here.”
“God, you’re such an ass,” she hisses loudly. “I thought you might want to do this in private.”
“I don’t want to do anything with you—in public or in private.”
“Well, you’re going to have to now, Riley. Because I’m pregnant,” she says, uttering the words no man wants to hear from a three-night screw.
“You’re what?”
“Do you really want to do this here?” she asks, glancing toward my doorman.
“Fine. Come up.” I drag her into the elevator. Once it closes, I say, “I don't know who you’ve been fucking, but if you’re pregnant, there’s no way that it’s mine.”
“Yes, it is, Riley. I haven’t been with anyone since we broke up.”
“We didn’t break up. You went to a few events with me. We fucked. And I used a condom every single time.”
She shrugs. “I don’t know what to tell you. They aren’t one hundred percent effective. I’m sorry, Riley. I certainly didn’t plan on getting pregnant.”
“Aren’t you on the pill?”
“No, it made me fat.”
I shake my head. I can’t fucking believe this. But I’m not stupid either. I go into my guest bathroom, grab a pregnancy test out of the cabinet, and then hand it to her. “Take this.”
“Why do you have that?”
“Honey, you’re not the first girl to tell me she’s pregnant.” I open it up and hand it to her. “Go pee on it, bring it out, and we’ll watch. See what happens.”
She hesitates, just as they all do. “Um, I don’t know if it will work yet. I’m barely pregnant.”
“So you didn’t do a test?”
“Yes, I did a test, Riley. God, you’re being such an ass.”
She’s right. I am. “I’m sorry. Please, for me, go take the test.”
“I will, I’m just saying that they aren’t all as accurate as the one I took.” She lets out a dramatic sigh and goes into the bathroom, not bothering to shut the door. When she sees me watching her pee, she gives me a sexy smile.
I turn around.
Fuck.
Of course, that’s what got me into this mess.
Please, please, don’t let her be pregnant.
I hear the toilet flush and turn around.
“Here’s the stick, Riley. I’m going to sit down. Pregnancy is exhausting.”
She flops down on my couch while I stare at the stick, willing the line not to change.
But it does.
I sit down on the couch next to her, holding my head. “I can’t fucking believe this.”
She puts her hand on my thigh. “I know we weren’t together very long, but we had a lot of fun. And, if I’m being honest, I like you a lot. No, that’s a lie. I’m in love with you. If I had to get pregnant, I’m glad it’s your baby. I think we should just make the best of it.”
I nod. If I am the father of her baby, I need to be a man. A father. “I agree. We’ll make the best of it.”
She does a little bounce and smiles. “And we should get married right away. I don’t want to wait until I’m showing. I saw the sexiest dress, daddy.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I’m sorry, but now you are one! So, it fits!” She wraps her arms around my neck. I used to like it. Now, I don’t. “And you should see this dress I found. It’s got a sexy, sheer bodice. You will love it.”
“You’ve picked out a dress?” I ask incredulously. What. The. Ever. Loving. Fuck?
“Yes. I had all weekend to think about things. I called, but you didn't answer. Where were you? And who are you on the phone with?”
I look down and see that my phone is tightly pressed against my chest. “Oh, gosh. Ariela.”
I examine my phone and see the call disconnected.
Shit.
Did she hang up on me? Did she hear what Shelby said? Does she hate me?
How can this be happening now?
“Ariela?” Shelby shrills. “Is she the girl who wouldn’t have a threesome?” She rolls her eyes. “Obviously, that won’t last long. You need someone like me, a lady on the red carpet and a freak in the bed. Speaking of that, when is the next premiere?”
“I, uh—”
“That’s okay, baby. We’ll worry about it later. We should talk about more pressing matters, like the wedding. I know they are hard to plan on short notice, but we should do it up right, don’t you think? And I found the name of the wedding planner who did Blake Lancaster’s wedding. They flew all their guests to Paris and had a whole week of parties. Wouldn’t that be so amazing?”
I feel like I’m going to puke. “You can stop with the wedding talk, Shelby. We are not getting married.”
“But—”
“No buts. I'll take responsibility for the baby if it’s mine, and I will be part of its life—but that’s it.”
Shelby’s lip puffs into a pout. She curls her shoulders to give me a clear shot of her cleavage as she gets teary. “You don’t have any idea what it’s like to grow up in a house without a father.”
“No, I do not.”
“I don’t want that for our baby, Riley. I want it to have a home. And speaking of that, I think I should move in with you. My place is shitty, and I don’t think Riley Johnson would want his baby growing up in such a place.”
“I’ve never seen where you live. I really don’t know anything about you. Do you have a job?” How is it possible that I got a girl pregnant who I know nothing about? Especially when the only girl I ever wanted to get pregnant is finally back in my life.
“Of course I have a job. I’m a cocktail waitress. That’s how we met.”
“No, we met when you sat down next to me at a bar.”
“It wasn’t very busy that night, so they let me off early. Melanie, who’s a bitch, was bragging that she was waiting on you and Knox Daniels and how she was gonna get a big tip. I told her big deal, that I was going home with you. And I did. To Paris. It was the most amazing first date ever.”
While she’s rambling, I’m worrying about what Ariela may have heard. I’ve got to call her back.
“So, let’s worry about the details later. I need to make a business call,” I lie, “and need some privacy. I’ll call you later this week after I’ve had some time to digest this.”
And call my lawyer, I think to myself.
“Oh, that’s okay. I won’t bother you. I brought my stuff. It’s all downstairs. While you make your call, I’ll get myself settled.”
“Shelby, you are not moving in with me.”
No fucking way.
“If you saw my place, you wouldn’t say that.”
“Then I’ll go see your place soon—after we have a paternity test.”
“A paternity test? Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.”
“You’re the only person I’ve slept with, I swear. I love you.”
“Okay, time to go,” I say, ushering her to the elevator. She’s the last person I want to hear those three little words from.
“But I don’t want to go,” she pouts. Honestly, I’m a little shocked at her pouting.
“Shelby, I’m in shock over all this. Give me a few days to think about things, and I will get back to you.” I expect her to drop to her knees, like she usually does when she doesn’t get her way. In the past, she was very good at convincing me to do whatever she wanted when my dick was in her mouth. The fact that she doesn’t worries me. That’s how she managed to attend all three premieres rather than just the Paris one.
She starts bawling.
“I don’t want to be pregnant and alone. We used condoms, Riley. I didn’t want to get pregnant. It just happened. But now that I am, I’m so happy it’s your baby. We’ll have a beautiful life together. I’ve seen the pictures here of you with your family. Please don’t abandon me. Please don’t make me go through this alone.”
I sigh. “I won’t. I promise. And if your place is shitty, I’ll find you somewhere beautiful to live.”
Her eyes brighten, and she throws her arms around me. “Really?”
“Yes, just go home now, and we’ll get things figured out this week.”
Apparently, this has appeased her for the time being, because she allows me to escort her downstairs and send her home with all of her belongings.
I go back up the elevator, sit myself down on the sofa, and bury my face in my hands.
Pregnant?
What a fucking nightmare.
I take my phone out of my pocket and stare at it, knowing I need to call Ariela back.
But I can’t right now.
I don’t know what the fuck to say.
So I text her with a lame excuse.
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
ARIELA
Riley: Hey, I have some business to deal with here and I’ll call you later.
Business? I think.
How can leather-strap, threesome Shelby be classified as business?
Dawson’s beach house - Malibu
VANESSA
“It’s time for bed,” Dawson says to the girls, who are already dressed in pajamas and in their shared bedroom.
“Thanks for letting me go to the pumpkin patch with you today,” I say, giving them each a hug.
“But I’m not tired!” Harlow insists, even though her eyes tell a different story.
“You have a big day tomorrow,” Dawson says. “You need to get a good night’s sleep.”
“I’m excited to visit the school,” Ava says, looking up from her phone.
“Who are you texting?” he asks.
“Everyone.”
“Like who?”
“Mostly, I’m talking to Grandma and Fallon. Fallon is telling me all about the kids in her class. She likes a fifth grade boy named Keegan, but her friend likes him too. She says all the cute boys are in fifth grade.”
“You’re only in fourth grade, besides, I think you’re a little young to be worrying about that.”
“Daddy.” She audibly sighs and gives him a huge eye roll. “I’ve had boyfriends before.”
He runs his hand roughly through his hair, looking stressed.
“Chill out, Dad,” she says. “I won’t get serious with a boy until at least middle school.”
“More like college, if I have any say in it,” he mutters.
“Miss Vanessa, will you tuck us in?” she asks, obviously wanting to end their boy conversation.
“Sure. I’d love to.”
Dawson gives each girl a kiss, tells them goodnight, and then leaves.
I tuck them into bed then read a story about a princess and a pony.
I’m ready to say goodnight when Harlow asks, “Do you want to marry my daddy?”
“Well, I’m not sure yet. You need to date and get to know someone before you get married.”
“No,” she disagrees, shaking her head. “Sometimes you meet a cute boy, and he saves you, and then after you kiss, you need to get married.”
“That’s how it works in princess stories and movies, but not in real life.”
“But you told Daddy you love him, and when you are in love you are supposed to get married.”
Ava lifts her head. “How come you cried when you told Daddy you love him?” She’s been texting, and I didn’t think she was listening.
“Do you know how babies are born?”
“I know!” Harlow raises her hand. “The baby grows in the mommy’s tummy until it’s big enough to be born.”
Ava rolls her eyes. I have a feeling she knows more.
“And it starts out small, like a seed. It’s itty bitty bitty,” Harlow continues.
“I was pregnant once, but the baby died before it was born. The playroom was supposed to be for my baby when it got bigger.”
Harlow launches herself at me, wrapping her little arms tightly around my waist.
“I’m sorry your baby died. Is it in Heaven with my mama? Maybe she can take care of your baby there, and you can take care of us here.”
“Seems like your daddy does a pretty good job of taking care of you.”
“He does,” Ava says with a smile. “He can even braid my hair. I think talking about boys sort of freaks him out, though. He still thinks I’m a little girl.”
“But since Daddy came here, Grandma has been taking care of us,” Harlow interrupts. “We had to move in with Grandma after Mama died. I didn’t want to leave our house, cuz I thought she might come back. But she didn’t. Miss Vanessa, do you cry a lot?”
“Only when I'm sad.”
“Mama was sad a lot.”
“That’s because she had depression,” Ava says. “She had something wrong in her brain that made her feel sad even when she was happy.”
“I think a pony would make me happy!” Harlow screams, pointing to her chest. “I want Daddy to buy me one, but he said he can’t afford a pony.”
“That’s because Momma spent all Daddy’s money. At least that’s what Grandma said,” Ava whispers.
I try to hide my surprise at her comment and make a mental note to ask Dawson what she’s talking about. How could she have spent all of his money?
“Ponies are expensive,” I reply. “And not only do you have to buy one, you have to feed it and have a place for it to live.”
“There’s nowhere to keep a pony here on the beach, Harlow,” Ava agrees.
Harlow’s eyes get big, and she puffs out her lower lip, looking ready to cry. “But Miss Vanessa has a barn. My pony could live with her ponies. My pony could make pony friends. Just like we’ll make new friends at our new school!”
Dawson pops into the doorway. “Miss Vanessa must be reading a really long story.”
Harlow stands up, bouncing on the bed. “Yay, Daddy! Miss Vanessa says my pony can live at her house and make pony friends!”
I start to open my mouth to explain.
“I’m not buying you a pony right now, Harlow. We have to decide if we’re even going to live here for sure. You have to see if you like the school first.”
Dawson mentioning not staying is like a dagger to my heart. I realize that my happiness is resting on the girls’ decision.
So, I decide to sweeten the pot.
I mean, a little old-fashioned bribery never hurt anyone. Right?
“Tell you what, Harlow. If you end up moving to California, I will let you adopt one of my ponies.”
Her eyes get huge, and she hugs me. “Yay! I get a pony! I get a pony!”
Dawson gives them each a hug, tucks them in again, says goodnight, and then leads me out of their room.
Riley’s Penthouse - L.A.
RILEY
I want to call Dallas and discuss this with him, but he and RiAnne just had their own baby, and the last thing he needs to deal with is more of my drama.
I could call my brother, but his girls are in town and might overhear our conversation.
So, I press Keatyn’s number.
“Hey, Riley,” she says, sounding out of breath.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, Aiden and I were walking on the beach when I heard my phone ringing up on the deck, so I ran. What’s up?”
“I know you just spent all weekend with me but, um, could I come over?”
“Sure, Marvel is making us a late dinner of that barbecued shrimp you love.”
Although I’m in no mood to eat, I say, “Awesome. I’ll be right over.”
I change clothes and head out.
The whole way there, I’m trying to process this all.
What it means for me.
What it means for me and Ariela.
I expect to ease the pregnancy into the conversation at some point during the evening, but the first thing out of my mouth when Keatyn opens the front door is, “Shelby’s pregnant and wants to get married.”
“What? Ohmigosh, Riley. You and Ariela just—”
“Yeah, I know,” I say, hanging my head in defeat.
She wraps me in a hug, probably because she can tell I need one. “It will be okay, Riley. Go sit on the deck with Aiden. I’ll get you a drink.”
“You should probably bring the bottle,” I mutter, even though I know she won’t.
But she surprises me when she sets a twenty-five-year-old scotch on the table along with two glasses.
“What’s wrong?” Aiden immediately asks.
“Shelby is pregnant and wants to get married,” she tells him.
Aiden looks at me shrewdly. “And you believe her?”
“It’s not like she’s the first girl to tell me she’s pregnant. I’m a little ashamed to admit this, but I keep a stash of pregnancy tests in the bathroom for such an occasion. She’s the first girl to make the line turn pink. She’s definitely pregnant.”
“You’ve told me before that you always use condoms,” Aiden says. “Did one fail?”
“Not that I was aware of but, obviously, one did since she’s pregnant.”
“Were you drunk when you were with her?”
“No, it was premiere week. All business.”
Keatyn raises an eyebrow at me.
I roll my eyes. “Fine. It wasn’t all business with Shelby, but I was never drunk when I was with her.”
“What do you know about her?” Keatyn asks.
“Not much, other than her sexual preferences, and I’m well acquainted with her body but, beyond that, nothing personal. She suggested we get married right away. Has even found her dream dress.”
“Riley, you aren’t marrying her!” Keatyn gasps. “You can’t!”
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