Page 14 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Eight
PETER STAFFORD WAS a darkly handsome man, graying around the temples, with piercing blue eyes and copper skin. He stood when Riley and Josh arrived at the table. He was not quite as tall as Josh, but he looked very debonair in his dark suit and crisp white shirt.
“This is Riley Banks, our newest design assistant and a very talented future designer,” Josh said with a proud smile.
How many times will he make me blush?“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stafford.” In the car on the way over, Riley had played Josh’s words over and over in her mind.Let’s just go out and pretend we’re back in Weston, hanging out at the concert.She hadn’t realized how much she’d begun to hope that the evening was a date until she’d heard him say those words. Why had he brought her flowers?Maybe it was a New York thing. But what about the kiss?
Mr. Stafford kissed the back of her hand in greeting. “Please, call me Peter.”
Well, that’s a kiss too, and he’s definitely not a date. It’s a New York thing, she thought with a pang of disappointment.
They settled into their seats and ordered dinner. Riley was relieved when the waiter returned with a bottle of wine. She needed somethingto settle her nerves.
“Josh, how’s my favorite niece?” Peter asked.
Josh glanced at Riley, then looked back at Peter. “She’s well, Peter. Claudia’s doing just fine.”
Claudia? Peter’s niece? Oh, no.Riley tried to blink away the surprise from her eyes.
“Good. Glad to hear it,” Peter said.
Riley watched Josh reposition himself in his chair and spend an extraordinary amount of time refoldinghis napkin.No wonder she still works there.
“She’s been with JBD for what, five, six years now?” Peter asked.
“Yes, that’s right,” Josh answered.
“Any movement toward full-fledged designer?” Peter asked.
Josh cleared his throat. “We’re working in that direction.” He sipped his wine, his eyes darting to Riley and back.
“Good,” Peter said, finishing his wine. “Everyone needs a break. I rememberwhen I first dressed my girls in your line, Josh. That was a big risk, and I’m glad I took it,” he said.
Josh nodded. “It was a risk, and I appreciate your ability to see my potential.”
Peter poured himself another glass of wine. “Yes, well, you’re welcome.”
By the time the waiter brought their salads, they’d finished the bottle of wine.
Peter ordered a second bottle of wine, and when it arrived,he filled their glasses and made a toast.
“To our incredible industry,” he said.
Riley and Josh lifted their glasses to his, and as Riley sipped her wine, she noticed Peter staring at her. He arched a brow, and Riley looked away.
What was that about? Focus on your salad.Riley fumbled with her napkin, and realized that she’d forgotten to Google which fork was the salad fork. For a moment, shefroze—panic-stricken. Between Peter’s professional demeanor slipping toward flirtation and the news about Claudia, she could barely think, much less process silverware etiquette. She eyed Josh’s silverware, figured out which of his forks he’d picked up, and she used the same one.Catastrophe averted.
“Tell me, Riley, how did you land in New York with JBD?” Peter asked.
“It was happenstance.”She looked at Josh, not sure how to answer.His brother referred me? I’m his brother’s girlfriend’s best friend?They’d known each other growing up, but if she revealed that, wouldn’t Peter ask her why she hadn’t come to work for Josh sooner?
Josh came to her rescue. “Riley won two awards for her designs while she was in school, and when I was home visiting my family, I asked to see her portfolio.”He looked at Riley and smiled. “Her work was too good to pass up.”
How did he know how to say that so eloquently? She breathed a little easier. She’d have to remember to prepare for every possible scenario in the future.Who am I kidding? This will be the last dinner with Josh’s business associates.
“Wonderful,” Peter said. “And tell me about yourself. Do you have hobbies?”
Why are you so focusedon me?She looked at his empty wineglass, silencing a groan.Why do some men get tunnel vision when they drink?Riley wasn’t prepared to answer personal questions. Peter filled her glass again, and she took another sip while she thought of an answer. As it trickled down her throat, she remembered Jade’s advice.Be yourself.
