Page 4 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“I’d love to have a closet like this,” Riley said.
Josh turned to face her. “Our closet is your closet.” He flashed a warm smile again, and Riley felt the butterflies squirreling around again.
“Hey, boss.” A short, thin, dark-haired woman moving in spiked heels like they were sneakers appeared beside Josh.
Riley lookeddown at her own heels.How does she make it look so easy?
“Busy day today. Need an outfit?” The woman smiled at Riley and extended her hand. “I’m Mia.”
Relieved at finally meeting a nice person, Riley smiled back and shook her hand. “I’m Riley, and I have to say, you have the greatest job ever!”
“I know, right?” Mia turned and opened her arms toward the clothes. “I dress everyone.” She eyedRiley from head to toe.
“Oh, I won’t fit in any of this stuff. I’m not here to be dressed.” Riley felt her cheeks warm and sucked in her stomach. She wasn’t under any misguided impressions about her size, and while she had been confident about her curves in Weston, New York City was a whole different ball game. She’d been in town for only a few days, but from what she’d witnessed so far, therewere the tourists and then there were the New Yorkers, and you could tell them apart by the clothes they wore, the shoes on their feet, and the food, or lack thereof, in their grocery bags. It was as if resident New Yorkers survived on air alone to maintain their super-skinny figures.
“Riley, our new design assistant, of course. Sorry. I should have known that. Welcome to JBD.” Mia tucked herstraight black hair behind her ear, arched a brow, and asked, “Did you survive Claudia?”
Riley shot a look at Josh.
He shrugged, like he’d expected trouble with her mentor.
“Yes. She’s…” Riley didn’t want to overstep her bounds, even if Mia seemed like the type of person she could easily be friends with. She was wearing skinny jeans, a designer belt, and a low-cut blouse—an outfit similar towhat Riley might have been comfortable in, minus the spiky heels. In Weston she wore skinny jeans proudly, even with her curves. Now she contemplated shying away from them. At least when she was in New York. “Professional. I think she’ll be a good mentor.”
“Honey, you don’t have to lie to me,” Mia said with a wave of her hand.
“Careful, Mia,” Josh warned, but his eyes were light, playful even.
Mia looked at Josh and crossed her arms. “She’s a shark, and she’s competitive. You know she is. I’m just giving the girl a chance.”
Riley drank in the conversation, feeling a bit like she should come to someone’s defense—either Mia’s or Claudia’s; she wasn’t sure which.
Josh shook his head. “Riley’s working late tonight and she’ll need you to lock up for her.”
Mia checked her watch. “You haveto leave before you’re late,” she said to Josh. “And don’t forget, tomorrow morning at seven we have a conference call with the Stafford Agency about dressing the girls for their spring show.”
The Stafford Agency was one of the top modeling agencies in New York. Riley tried to repress the shock at how casually the name of the agency was tossed about. Witnessing the natural ease of conversationbetween Josh and Mia made Riley feel guilty for wondering if there was some other side to Josh. He was clearly easy to work with.
“I’ll be here for the call,” he said.
“We’ll ring them at six fifty, so I’ll get espresso instead of your typical latte.”
Josh touched her shoulder. “You’re the best, Mia.” He turned toward Riley. “Be sure Claudia introduces you around tomorrow. We’re like a bigfamily here. You need to meet the staff. You’re one of us now.”
Riley couldn’t help but smile.One of us. Part of the JBD team. Maybe dreams really can come true.
