Page 3 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Two
“THIS IS THE design studio,” Claudia said. She waved a hand at the tables as they passed. “Everything happens here as far as design is concerned, but it’ll be a while before you sit at one of those tables.”
“Yes, of course,” Riley agreed, taking note of how the other employees put their heads down as Claudia passed. She wanted to run up and greet each of them.Hi. I’m Riley Banks.I can’t wait to work with you!But she already knew better than to irk Cruella. She wondered how a cold fish like Claudia got the job working for someone as warm as Josh in the first place.Is there another side of Josh that I’m not seeing?Riley made a mental note to watch how other employees reacted to Josh. Maybe he was one of those guys who knew how to charm women but sometimes forgot to hidetheir wolfhound ways. She didn’t want to believe that the Josh she’d spent time with would have that side to him, but Riley was a realist.Anything is possible.
“Fashion design is not for the faint of heart. There are few pats on the back but plenty of harsh stares, head shakes, and starting over.” Claudia led Riley into a cubicle at the far end of the open studio. “This is where you’ll work.”
Riley felt her smile falter. She tried to right her frown but feared she’d failed. The dingy metal desk tucked into the tiny cubicle looked more like something that belonged in a warehouse than a design studio. She eyed the computer and the cloth rolling chair with distaste.You’re here. That’s all that matters.She couldn’t help but feel that this was Claudia’s way of showing her who was thesuperior design assistant. She wouldn’t be taken down by her—or anyone else, for that matter. She was there to make a career, and Josh must have believed in her design skills to have hired her. She smiled, meeting Claudia’s one-upping, cold eyes.
“This is perfect. Nice and private.” Riley set her purse in the desk drawer. “Where do I start?”
BY SEVEN O’CLOCK, Riley’s feet ached. She wasn’t used to wearing four-inch heels all day, but then again, she was used to working at Macy’s in her hometown, where “heels” meant fancy cowgirl boots and people greeted her like she mattered. She’d had time to chat with customers, other employees, and even her friends, when they’d swing by on their shopping trips. She’d laughed; she’d nearly criedwhen friends were having trouble—even at work, she’d let her emotions come through. At JBD, people worked as if they were on speed, and with Claudia watching her every move, she dared not be overly friendly with the other staff members just yet. She needed Claudia to like her, or at least to tolerate her.
“Still here?” Claudia peered into her cubicle, a Valentino bag hanging from her forearm.
“I’m just studying up on line sheets and tech packs, making organizational charts for myself to be sure I don’t miss anything.”And maybe I’ll run into Josh.“I really appreciate all of the guidance you’ve given me today. There’s so much to learn.”
Claudia tilted her chin up. She spun around and said, “We’ll see if you can keep up.” Her voice trailed behind her as she left the office.
“I’ll notonly keep up. I’ll shine,” Riley whispered angrily. She waited until the click-clack of Claudia’s heels disappeared before venturing out of her cubicle and was surprised to see almost everyone was gone for the evening. She eyed the design tables, taking one tentative step after another, her eyes darting around the empty room as if she were a jewel thief. She stood at the edge of the long tableand dug her fingers into the silken fabrics. A smile crept across her lips, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of the rich fabric between her fingers. She brought it to her nose and inhaled the smell of the finishing chemicals and dyes that others might find severe but that she drew inspiration from.
“Some people might think you had a real problem, smelling fabric like that,” Josh teased.
Riley’s eyes flew open. She dropped the fabric and stepped back from the table. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not supposed to be touching things. I just couldn’t help myself.” She felt heat rush up her cheeks. Josh carried his suit coat over his forearm, his shirt still perfectly pressed. The worddashingran through Riley’s mind.Stopitstopitstopit.
He laughed, just as he had earlier that morning.“Riley, it’s fine. How was your first day? Does Claudia have you working late?”
“Good. Fine. Exciting.”I sound like a babbling idiot.“I really enjoyed it.” Riley had stayed late, hoping to see him in addition to trying to catch up on her work, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I just wanted to be sure I had everything in order before I left.”
“Were you treated well?” He leaned againstthe table and folded his arms, his attention focused solely on her.
Riley pressed her lips together, mulling over the potential answers:Claudia hates me. I didn’t talk to anyone. I hate my cubicle. I need to be around people.
“Yes. Fine. Claudia filled me in on everything I’ll be doing, and I’m really excited.” Despite the awful cubicle and Claudia’s weird need to make clear that she had anadvantage over her, Riley was excited to actually be working in a real design studio, and Claudia had filled her in, so technically, she wasn’t lying.
“Good.” He smiled.
He looked at her for a beat too long. Butterflies nested in her stomach, and Riley dropped her eyes before she blushed again.Don’t misread his looks. He’s being polite. He’s well mannered, nothing more. Then why is my heartracing?
Josh looked at his watch and pursed his lips. “I have to run to a meeting, but Mia is still here. She can lock up when you’re ready.”
She didn’t know what she wanted from Josh, but she was relieved that the electricity that had filled the space between them was now draped in a conversation. “Mia?”
“You didn’t meet her today?” Josh pushed away from the table and stood so close to herthat she could smell toothpaste on his breath.
You brushed your teeth for a meeting? Just what kind ofmeetingis this?She tucked away the curiosity—and a pang of something that felt a lot like jealousy—and focused on answering his question. “Nope, not yet. Truthfully, I haven’t really met many people yet, but it’s only my first day. I figured Claudia would get around to introductions when shewas ready.”
Josh offered Riley his arm. “Come with me.”
She wrapped her arm in his, and a thrill rushed through her. She swallowed hard, trying not to let the stirring in her belly sidetrack her from remembering that she was in a professional New York design office, walking down a hallway with herboss.
At the end of the wide hallway, he unwrapped his arm from hers.
“Excuse me,” he said, thenpulled the doors open, revealing the largest “closet” Riley had ever seen. The walls were lined with designer heels, boots, flats—every shoe imaginable from floor to ceiling. Accessories hung from hooks and hangers, and row after row of clothing racks filled the remaining space.
Riley felt her jaw go slack. She followed Josh into the room, wide eyed, full of awe and powerless to hide it.
“Miais my assistant, but she spends a lot of time in the closet,” Josh said.
