Page 16 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Nine
WHEN RILEY RETURNED to the table, Peter and Josh were discussing fashion. Relieved, Riley placed her napkin in her lap and listened, hoping to redeem herself with an intelligent comment of some sort. No longer hungry, she pushed the food around on her plate.
“I want class. Old-time class, not the typical New York cheesy trends. This means we stick to the more refined pieces of yourBliss line,” Peter said.
Uh-oh.
“I don’t believe any of the Bliss pieces arecheesy,” Josh retorted.
“No, no, they’re certainly not. I just meant to stick to the finer fabrics. Pencil skirts rather than flared, wool and silk, maybe a little leather. Something the older generation might take pride in wearing.” Peter lowered his chin and looked at Riley from a discerning angle. “Don’t you agree,Riley?”
Please don’t put me in the middle.Wishing she could pick up a knife and slice through the tension, clearing a friendly path, she took a deep breath and said, “Actually, I find all of Josh’s pieces refined, but I do understand the desire to attract a more mature audience.”Supportive yet discerning.She shot a look at Josh, who nodded, with an appreciative smile.
To a neighboring table,they probably looked like they were having a meaningful business meeting, but to Riley, who felt like a fly on the wall watching a silent game of one-upmanship, the exchange was unsettling.
“Riley, I’d be curious to see your designs. You don’t mind, do you, Josh?” Peter smiled, and behind the facade, Riley saw fierce competition in his eyes.
Josh lifted his drink like he was going to toast.“Go right ahead. She’s by far the most talented designer I’ve met in the past few months. She has a long career ahead of her.”
Ohmygoshohmygosh! I do?Riley clutched her napkin in her lap to keep from jumping up and hugging him, and then she saw the way he sipped his drink, watching Peter above his glass. Was he using her as a playing card? Was he challenging Peter?Oh no, what have I gottenmyself into?
JOSH PAID FOR dinner, and when they stood to leave, he was quick to pull out Riley’s chair and put a possessive hand on her back.
“Peter, as always, it’s been a pleasure. Have your secretary call Mia and schedule a meeting,” Josh said with the most gracious smile he could muster while biting back his annoyanceat the way Peter had tried to rile him and the way he’d reacted.
“I’m heading to Switzerland with my brother’s family for the holidays. I’ll schedule a time for after the New Year.” Peter kissed Riley’s cheek. “The pleasure was all mine.” He shook Josh’s hand. “I look forward to seeing this all come together.”
Josh heard the double entendre loud and clear. “So do I,” he said.
“Thank you forallowing me to join you for dinner. It was wonderful to meet you, and I’m honored to be included in the upcoming meetings,” Riley said.
IN THE CAR, Josh wrestled with the conversation he’d had with Peter. The intent of their date—that wasn’t a date at all in Riley’s eyes—was to welcome her to New York, show her a goodtime, and get to know her better, and he wasn’t going to let anything waylay his plans.
“That went well, don’t you think?” he said.
“Yes, he’s very nice.” Riley played with the edge of her purse. “So, Claudia is his niece?”
He’d almost forgotten that relationship had been revealed. “Yes. Peter helped me get started in the business years ago, and when Claudia graduated from college and neededa job…” He shrugged. “I’m a loyal guy. What can I say?”
“I guess that explains a few things. I sort of wondered how you guys got connected. She seems…different from the other employees,” Riley explained. Before he could respond, she said, “Josh, I’m really sorry if I embarrassed you with Peter. I didn’t mean to talk about Weston like I was some cowgirl hick. I’m mortified.”
“Is that what youthink went on in there?” Josh couldn’t bear the way she stared at her hands and sat stiffly beside him. It was a beautiful evening, and he was determined not to let Peter’s comments ruin it. He reached over and lifted her chin until her eyes met his.
“Riley, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your personality sparkled. I love how much enthusiasm you have for life, for people, and of course, for designing.”Boy, he wanted to lean forward and kiss her luscious lips, tangle his fingers in her hair, and press her full body against him.
Her lips parted, but no words came. He watched the tip of her tongue move slowly over her lower lip and he felt himself staring. He shook his head to stop his brain from wondering how her lips would taste on his.
“Peter’s questions about us, and his intense interestin you, were his way of telling me that he was…interested.” There. He’d said it. At least part of the truth.
“In me?” Riley laughed. “Did you have too much wine? I’m nobody. He was just being nice. I’ll bet he treats all the women that way—and better.”
She looked away, and he drew her chin back once again, lowering his voice to what he hoped was an honest, meaningful tone. If she saw Peter assomeone who treated women a certain way, surely she saw Josh as the same type of person. They weren’t so far removed in the industry, after all.
“Riley, I’ve known Peter since I began designing, and I can assure you that he does not treat all women that way. In fact, I have never seen him so forward with a woman that accompanied another man.” He waited for understanding to dawn on her. She glanceddown, and when she looked up at him again, the green in her eyes caught the light, and a hint of that spark that he’d seen while she’d spoken of Weston returned, hidden behind a shroud of confusion.
“But…this was business, and surely he knew that,” she said. She shook her head. “It was business.”
“That’s what you tell me.” Josh smiled, but inside he cringed, knowing he was pushing the limits.She might not want anything more from him than a job.
