Page 104 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Josh and Riley made their way around the room hand in hand. Simone and K.T. were drinking champagne together when they approached. Riley felt the heat of Simone’s stare, wishing Mia were there to play interference. She and Simone had gotten close beforethe holiday, but Simone had an edge, and by the look in Simone’s eyes, Riley was on the wrong side of it at the moment.
“Simone, K.T., I hope you’re having a nice evening,” Josh said.
“Oh yes, Mr. B.,” K.T. said. “Riley, you look smashing. No Juicy for you tonight, huh? JBD all the way.”
Riley bristled.Is he making fun of me?She looked down at her JBD gown, then forced herself to smile. “Thanks,K.T., you look great, too,” she said. “I love your dress, Simone.”
“Thanks,” Simone said.
Her answer came with a wave of icy wind.Here it goes.“I know I should have told you and Mia, but I didn’t know how to handle it. I’m sorry,” Riley said.
Simone worked her jaw from side to side. She looked into her glass and shrugged.
“Simone,” Josh said.
“It’s okay,” Riley said. “I would be upset,too. Simone, I’m not a conniving, devious woman. I love Josh and I’ve loved him since we were kids. I just tried to ignore it and pushed it all away. I know you and I were getting close, and I should have trusted you and told you, but I was so scared. I didn’t want to be known as the girl who slept her way to the top, and it was—” She looked away as tears filled her eyes.
“Babe, you don’t haveto do this,” Josh said. He cast a stern look at Simone.
“Yes, I do,” Riley whispered. “I’m fine.”
Savannah sidled between Riley and Simone in her long green dress and tossed her fiery hair over her shoulder. “Simone? Hi, I’m Savannah, Josh’s sister. I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Hi.” Simone eyed Savannah.
“This whole stink-eye thing that’s going on? That’s not going to continue,” Savannah said.“It wasn’t easy for Josh and Riley to make the decision to keep their relationship private, but they had to because of scrutiny just like you’re showing right now.”
Josh stepped in between the two women. “Savannah, that’s enough.”
“No, Josh, it’s not. That look she gave Riley is exactly why Riley was afraid to let people know about you two,” Savannah said. “Riley’s going to be my sister-in-law,and if you think I’ll sit back and let anyone hurt her, you’re dead wrong.”
“I’m sorry,” Simone said. “I’m not upset about you two seeing each other. I’m only upset because I thought Riley and I were getting close, and friends share things like this.” Simone crossed her slim arms over her chest.
Great. Now I’ve lost a friend, too.
“Simone, honey,” K.T. said. “Calm down.”
“No, this is garbage,”Simone said. Every muscle in her lean legs was taut and clearly visible beneath her short black dress. She motioned toward the other staff members as she spoke. “Yeah, Riley, everyone thinks you’ve slept your way to the top, so what?”
“Simone, that’s enough,” Josh demanded.
Riley took a step backward as the room went silent, save for Simone’s rant.
“So what?” Simone continued. “You’re happy.Mr. B.’s happy. Who cares what anyone thinks? What I care about are friendships.” Simone looked from Riley to Josh, the sharp ends of her hair whipping against her cheek.
“I said that’s enough, Simone,” Josh said. He took a step forward.
“Simone!” Mia ran to her side. “What are you doing?”
“Talking to Riley,” Simone snapped. Her black eyeglass frames slid down her nose. She pushed them up withher index finger and lifted her chin.
“Sometimes I wish you had an electric collar so I could zap you when you went off the deep end.” Mia dragged her a few feet away and said to Josh and Riley, “I’m sorry. You know how she can get when her feelings are hurt.”
“It’s okay. Simone, get ahold of yourself,” Josh said.
Riley pulled her hand free from Josh’s and went to Simone. “I’m a really goodfriend. I am. You may not believe it, but you could ask Jade, my best friend…if she were here…which she’s not.”Yikes, where was I going with this?“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m not very thick-skinned. What my coworkers thinkisa big deal to me, and I wanted nothing more than to spill my guts to you and Mia, but I was so freaking scared. Even now, standing in the middle of this room with everyonelooking at me, it’s my worst nightmare. So let me just say this, to everyone…” She turned and faced the other employees.
“Riley.” Josh reached for her.
