"I have to think for a minute," Keatyn says, wrapping her nose in her sleeve then talking through it. "Knox, you're too old to play the boyfriend."
"Not necessarily," I say, disagreeing. "You just have it in your head that Daddy chooses someone young. Why couldn't he choose someone older?"
"Hmm, maybe. Do you really think that she would do it? And, Riley, did you sleep with her?"
"Yes, she approached me about it specifically. She's looking for a fun project. Something outside the box."
"Are you gonna be the something inside her box?" Knox asks under his breath.
"I didn't sleep with her, okay?" I finally admit. "She spent the night. We had a lot of fun. I like her."
Keatyn goes, "You like her, like her?"
"What are we? In seventh grade?" Knox laughs. "Riley, did you hold her hand? Feel her up?"
"Shut up," I say with a goofy grin on my face. "She makes me feel like I'm back in college. It's fun."
Keatyn squints her eyes at me and I know that means she's running all the scenarios through her head and about to make a decision. "Riley, if you can get her and Knox to both do this project, you can sleep with whoever you want. As long as it doesn't affect her relationship with Captive."
"If you haven't slept with her yet, that makes her fair game, right?" Knox asks.
"This isn't a competition. If you want to get in her pants, go for it. Our relationship is . . ."
"Is what?" Keatyn asks.
"Real."
"You have a relationship?"
"I didn't ask her to go steady, yet," I tease, "but I'm taking off early today and we're hanging out."
"Who are you going steady with?" my older brother, Dawson, asks from the doorway.
"Dawson? What the hell are you doing here?" I get up and give him a hug. I haven't seen him since this summer. And he was still a wreck over losing Whitney. Today, he's smiling and looks put together.
"That's what I was supposed to tell you the other day!" Keatyn says, rushing over to give Dawson a hug. "How are you?" she asks him.
"About to be better, I hope," he replies. "I think you're right. A new beginning is probably just the thing I need."
"New beginning?" I ask.
"I hired Dawson," Keatyn says. "He's going to commute for a while, see how things go. Then if all goes well, he'll relocate here permanently."
What Keatyn did hits me in the chest, almost bringing tears to my eyes. My brother has been through so much.
I slap my brother on the back. "I'm glad you're joining the team, bro. So what are you gonna do?"
Keatyn answers before he can. "I figured all his experience working with luxury brands would allow him to get great placement for our movies." She's biting her lip. And I know why. We have a marketing group that does placement for us. "He'll be our new, uh, Senior Vice President in charge of product placement."
Senior Vice President, a role just for him. She probably overpaid him too.
But I don't mind.
"Knox, this is my brother, Dawson. I think you've met before over the years."
"Yeah, we have," they say, shaking hands and sharing pleasantries before Knox says, "I've got to get going. Same time tomorrow morning. Bring the girl."
"Will do."
I sit down. Still a little shocked that my brother is here and going to work for me.
"Tyler!" Keatyn yells. She never calls him on the intercom, she just sweetly yells his name and he drops whatever he's doing and comes.
"You called?"
"Will you take Dawson on the grand tour of the offices?"
Tyler herds Dawson out of the room. I shut the door.
"Before you say anything . . ." she starts to say.
"I'm not going to say anything but thank you," I tell her.
"Really? I'm so relieved. I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it."
"I offered him a job a long time ago and he turned me down. Of course, that was before. . ."
"I know. It's so sad. It's been almost two years and he's still carrying the guilt around. I thought maybe coming here might help. I way overpaid him."
"I wouldn't have expected anything less. I'm touched, Keatyn. Really touched."
She gives me a beaming smile and then a hug. "Good. In case I haven't told you lately, I love that we work together."
"I love that we work together too."
When she pulls away, she's in tears.
"What's wrong?"
"I thought you were going to be mad at me. Aiden told me I needed to tell you. I went behind your back, and I feel bad. I don't want you to be mad at me."
I pat her back. "Why are you crying? Normally, when you want your way, you just tell me how it is. Or you pout until I cave."
"I don't know. I'm just really emotional right now."
"Bout to get your period, I suppose. You want some chocolate?"
She brightens up. "Chocolate sounds yummy. Also, we had his office nicely decorated. It was expensive. And we're leasing him a house on the beach. And got him a really nice car."
"Wow. Rolling out the red carpet?"
"He only agreed to give us until after the holidays to see if this would work. I want it to."
"And he needs it to."
"Yeah, he does. Oh, there's Vanessa. I have a meeting with her before my call time."
I look at my watch. "And I have a meeting in five minutes."
When I get in my office, I take a moment to read the article.
Jennifer Edwards' new plaything, Captive Films CEO Riley Johnson
Jennifer Edwards is on the prowl again.
And this time the man in her sights is none other than Riley Johnson, CEO of Captive Films.
Unless you've been out of the loop, you know who Riley is. (If not, please see this month's Majority Magazine. And study it, we'll wait. P.S: Page 87. Abs. Scruff. Sunglasses. Swoon.)
You gotta give the girl credit, even though she's leaving a lot of broken hearts in her wake, (we're talking to you, Parker Hudson) she's got good taste.
According to our sources, the couple met last night at the Minds at Play event. She walked up to the CEO, introduced herself, and whispered something in his ear. Moments later, she surprised the press by loudly announcing that she would be spending the night with Mr. Johnson and they didn't need to follow her.
But, follow they did.
As evidenced by these photos of the couple driving through In-N-Out Burger. And later, being whisked up to his penthouse at the swanky WestBeverly residences.
Sources close to Miss Edwards say she's looking for a new role.
Looks like that role will be Riley's new girlfriend!
P.S. Ladies, we should all try the Jennifer Edwards' method of picking up a man. I'm totally walking up to the next hot guy I see, introducing myself, and whispering in his ear. (Will report results later.)
P.P.S. Knox Daniels was also at the event sans Keatyn Douglas, although rumor has it they have been filming what sources say are THE HOTTEST Trinity sex scenes to date. (Can't wait to see the movie!)
I set the paper down, pick up my phone, and call her.
"Hey," I say. "Keatyn loved our ideas. I think that calls for a
celebration."
"I like to celebrate. And I know just the way. Come to Malibu. I'm renting a cute little place on the beach."
"I have a couple meetings . . ."
"Cancel them."
"Uh . . ."
"When's the last time you just said fuck it and had some fun, Riley? Wait, don't answer that. I've heard about your reputation. And we're famous. Page six."
"I don't think I've ever been referred to as a plaything before, but I like it."
"Then cancel your meetings and come play with me."
All of our conversations have been fun and upbeat, but when she says come play with me, there's a sensuality to her voice. One that arouses me.
"I'll be there this afternoon."
"Perfect," she says happily.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Captive Films - Santa Monica
VANESSA
Keatyn greets me with a kiss and says, "I don't have a ton of time, I'm sorry. My call time just got pushed up for today."
"That's okay. I'll read you the press release. Keatyn Douglas and her longtime beau Aiden Arrington, owner of Asher Vineyards and Winery, the brand best known for their charitable Moon Wish wine, were engaged in Paris after the worldwide premiere of the hit trilogy, The Keatyn Chronicles, based on their life.
"It's pretty simple and to the point," she says. "I do like that you threw in the part about Moon Wish. A little extra publicity is a good thing."
"Do you want me to add more details about your engagement? Usually, you're pretty private when it comes to your personal life."
"I know. I want to leave it the way your have it, but I'm so excited I'd like to shout it from the rooftops. It was so romantic and so perfect."
"Everything Aiden does is romantic, isn't it?"
She beams. "Yeah, pretty much. I'm really lucky."
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Mostly, although the smell of that strong roasted coffee Riley drinks every morning makes me want to throw up."
"Morning sickness?"
"More like morning gagging. I haven't gotten sick yet. Did you see the article about Riley and Jennifer Edwards this morning?"
"I did. I wanted to talk to you about that. Ariela and I were at the party last night. We had dates."
"And Riley saw?"
"Yeah, he told her she could help plan your wedding and that when it was over he wanted her out of your lives."
