Page 15 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“I don’t have many hobbies. I love people, horseback riding, and, well,designing. Back in Weston, I worked at Macy’s, which wasn’t glamorous or exciting, but it was fast paced and I enjoyed dealing with the customers. In my free time, I sketched designs, sometimes for hours on end.”
“Do you miss Weston?” Peter asked.
The way he watched her, hanging on her every breath, gave her pause. She might have had a few drinks, but now there was no question. She knew a flirtatiouslook when she saw it.
She shot a look at Josh, who was also watching her, and the pressure sent her pulse soaring. “I miss my friends, but I’m where I want to be. I’ve wanted to design forever, and now, being among Josh and his team, watching it all come to life, it’s like breathing new oxygen after being on a lung machine. It’s invigorating.”
“I assume Riley will be coming with you to the Blissline meetings?” Peter asked Josh.
“We can arrange that,” Josh said.
Peter’s eyes darted between Josh and Riley. “Forgive me for asking, but I’m a pretty forthright guy.” He looked directly at Riley and asked, “Are you two…?”
Oh no. I’m dead. Are my feelings that transparent?
“No,” Riley said as fast as she was able. She shot another look at Josh and was surprised to see something that resembledhurt in his eyes. What had she done wrong?
Josh folded his napkin in his lap and took a drink of wine. She tried to catch his eye, but he was looking past Peter with a determined stare. She followed his gaze. He was staring at the back wall of the restaurant.He’s avoiding me. What have I done? I rattled on about Weston and Macy’s. I’ve embarrassed him.
“Would you excuse me, please?” Riley stood,forcing a smile when both men stood as well. “I’m just going to run to the ladies’ room.”And drown myself in the sink.
JOSH’S BLOOD BOILED. Peter was not a man who incited conflict, and Josh was not at all prepared for the feelings that surged forth when Peter had asked if he and Riley were an item. He was still weedingthrough the whole date-versus-business-dinner conversation he’d had with Riley.
Josh wasn’t known for giving up easily. He didn’t get to where he was in the fashion industry by rolling over and playing nice. He worked hard and he took chances—chances that had led to his success and that he’d become known for.
Once Riley was out of earshot, Josh sat up straight and addressed Peter. He felt indebtedto Peter for helping him make a name for himself all those years ago, but employing Claudia was payment enough, and Peter had obviously had too much to drink, so Josh took a professional approach. “Peter, Riley and I are not an item, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t approach her in that manner.”
Peter sat back and crossed his legs. He lifted the left side of his mouth in a coy smile. “So youdo have eyes for her? I knew I picked up on something. I apologize if I embarrassed you.”
Josh held his stare. “I’m not sure what I have for her, but I would appreciate it if you’d refrain from stepping in and making it more difficult for me to figure out.”
Peter leaned forward. “Message received. Childhood sweethearts reunited?”
I wish. That would be a lot easier to figure out.“No. Crushperhaps, not sweethearts,” Josh admitted. He watched the direction Riley had gone in. The way his muscles tensed just having this discussion with Peter took him by surprise.
“If I might give you a bit of advice, Josh, getting involved with an employee can create a sticky situation. One you might not want to get tangled up in. That’s how scandals are made.”
Josh laughed. “I hardly think she’sthe scandalous type.” He’d already gone down that line of thinking, and he wasn’t sure of anything past knowing that when he saw her, when he touched her, even just their fingers brushing against one another sent something through him that he hadn’t felt in a very long time. When she was nervous, when she blushed, and tonight, when she practically ran from the table, he found her adorable and wantedto wrap his arms around her and kiss the smooth skin of her cheek. He’d enjoyed their time together in Weston, and that was enough for him to know that he wanted the chance to see if there was more to it. More to them. Even if she was his employee. He’d figure that part out later. Right now, he didn’t need Peter Stafford stepping in and wooing her, and he realized, he needed to find a way to letRiley know what he was feeling without scaring her off.
“They never appear to be the scandalous type until it’s too late.” Peter lifted his glass and looked down the bridge of his nose at Josh. “I have a new idea brewing that I want to talk to you about after the New Year. Let’s see how tonight goes.”
