Page 103 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Forty-Nine
AFTER SPENDING CHRISTMAS with their families, Josh and Riley had come back to New York to prepare for the annual JBD New Year’s Eve party and to wrap up the loose ends regarding Claudia. Her attorney had been in touch with Josh’s attorney, and Josh had agreed to drop the sexual harassment charges in exchange for a public statement from Claudia stating that all allegations againstRiley were unfounded. In addition, he demanded that she personally apologize to Riley, which she reluctantly had done. Now, as Riley stood beside the bed in their apartment, watching Josh secure his cuff links in place, her stomach was doing acrobatics for a different reason. Josh was going to announce their engagement tonight at the JBD New Year’s party. Riley had yet to see anyone other thanMia since returning to the city, and she had no idea how the others might react. Thankfully, Mia was genuinely happy for them.
“Nervous?” Josh asked as he slipped his arms into his tuxedo coat.
“Very,” she admitted.
“Don’t be.” He crossed the room and touched her cheek with his palm.
Riley leaned in to the familiar caress.
“I’m not going anywhere. Not everyone is as cutthroat as you knowwho, and if anyone makes a remark about you sleeping your way to the top, you just smile and hold your head high,” Josh said.
“That’s easy for you to say,” Riley said. She smoothed her long black gown along her waist.
“Babe, do I embarrass you?” Josh asked.
Riley spun around and ran her eyes down every inch of his six-foot-three frame, lingering over his arms, chest, and the naughty place atthe juncture of his thighs. She drew her eyes back up to his freshly shaven cheeks and took a step closer. She placed her hands on his cheeks, her engagement ring sparkling in the light. She ran her hand through the side of his hair, loving the feel of him.
“Never,” she said, then pulled him in to a deep kiss and pressed her body against his.
“We’re not missing this,” he said with a smile. “Youcan seduce me all you want, but we’re going. We’re doing this, Ri.”
“Sheesh, how can you know me so well?” She slipped her feet into her heels, secured the diamond earrings Josh had given her for Christmas in place, and feigned annoyance. “Shall we go?”
Josh wrapped his arms around her from behind and nibbled her ear. “We can make time…before…if you want.”
Riley playfully pushed him away. “Youcanned my strategy to dodge the party. Now you’ll have to wait.”
MIA MET THEM at the front door, wearing a form-fitting navy gown with a plunging neckline and long, arm-hugging sleeves. “Everyone’s talking about you two; I just want to warn you.” She hugged Riley. “You look gorgeous. I knew that would be the perfect dress.Josh, wow, you clean up real nice,” she teased.
“Thanks, Mia,” Josh said.
“I’m a wreck. Are they saying horrible things about me?” Riley was so nervous she thought she might be sick. She clung to Josh’s hand with a vice grip.
“They’d better not,” Josh said.
She felt his arm tense.
“No, no,” Mia said. “All anyone knows is that you two are dating, so they’re still in the have-you-heard-the-newsstage of gossiping and trying to figure out what they missed over the holiday.”
Riley let out a long breath. “Okay, I guess we need to get this over with.”
Josh put his arm around her. “I’m right here. Besides, Savannah’s coming, so you’ll have even more support.”
“She is?” Riley asked.
“Yeah. She’s all bark, you know. She loves you,” Josh said.
They headed into the ballroom, which was alivewith festive music and the employees mingling among themselves.
All eyes turned toward them when they entered the room. Riley tried to swallow past the lump that was pressing on her windpipe. She clung to Josh’s hand and felt a hand slip around her waist.
“You are gorgeous,” Savannah whispered in her ear.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Riley said, remembering Savannah’s semithreat. “Savannah, I’mnot going to hurt Josh,” she said.
“I know. But if you ever are tempted to, you’ll hear my voice in your ear,” Savannah said with a wide smile.
