Page 5 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Three
RILEY SAT ON the edge of her bed in the guest bedroom of Savannah Braden’s apartment, where she was staying until she found an apartment of her own to rent. Savannah worked as an entertainment attorney in the city, but she traveled often, and for the next two weeks, Riley had the apartment to herself. The apartment wasn’t enormous. In fact, it was quite cozy, with two bedrooms andtwo bathrooms, a moderately-sized kitchen, and a living room dining room combination. It was just a few blocks from Central Park. She couldn’t have asked for more comfortable surroundings.
Riley changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt. It was eight o’clock, and if she worked this late every night, she’d have to put off her apartment search until the weekend. Exhaustion and excitement coalesced,bringing with it an ounce of homesickness. Riley reached for her cell and called Jade.
She tucked her cell phone against her chin.
“I’m stuck with Cruella De Vil as my mentor—or boss, I guess. I can’t even imagine how Josh works with her, or how I’ll survive her,” she said when Jade answered the phone.
“Cruella De Vil?” Jade laughed.
“Yeah, and don’t laugh. She’s awful.” Before Jade couldrespond, she added, “And I met Josh’s assistant, Mia, who’s just the opposite. She’s really nice and down-to-earth. I wishshewas my mentor.” Riley sighed.
“You can handle Cruella. You told me yourself that it was a cutthroat industry, remember? Don’t let her get you down,” Jade said. “She’s probably just feeling threatened because you’re such an awesome designer.”
Riley smiled. She picturedJade in her jeans and cowgirl boots, her long black hair flowing to her waist, sitting on her front porch. “I miss you,” Riley said.
“Of course you do.” Jade laughed. “But you’ll survive, and you’ll thrive. This is your big break. It’s all you’ve ever wanted, remember?”
“Yes, of course, and I’m thankful, but I miss you. I miss the smell of the farms and driving. It’s only been a week, but Imiss driving already.” Riley realized how whiny she sounded and she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I do love it here, even if it smells a little like dirty feet, wilted food, and car exhaust. I swear, it’s almost eight at night and the entire city is still outside walking around. It’s so different from home.”
“I know, but Weston can’t offer you a career,” Jade reminded her.
AndWeston can’t offer me Josh, either.“I know. I want New York. I want this. I just wish you were here with me. I could use a friend and a drink right now.” Riley walked to the kitchen and opened a bottle of water, making a mental note to buy some alcohol for times like this. “Bottled water doesn’t cut it. I want to celebrate my new job with you, and I want you to hug me and tell me that Cruellasucks and that I’m ten times better than her.”
“Cruella does suck, and you are ten times better than her.” Jade grew quiet, then said with mischief in her voice, “Tell me what it’s like to work with Josh.”
Riley took a gulp of water, then plopped onto the leather couch. “I never realized how sweet he was. All those years in school…I mean, he was cute. All the Bradens are. But Josh is…” She rememberedthe way he’d looked at her, the feel of his hand on her back. “He’s just really nice.”
“Riley, it’s me, remember? You never describe guys asreally nice. And it’s Josh Braden, for goodness sake. Spill it already.”
She laughed. “It’s not like there’s anything between us. He’s just…he’s different. You know how Rex is all take-me-to-bed sexy and his brother Treat is more refined?”
“Yeah? And bythe way, thanks for noticing Rex is take-me-to-bed sexy.” Jade laughed. Jade’s and Rex’s fathers had been feuding since before Jade was born, and when she’d moved back home after the end of a bad relationship, a chance meeting with Rex unleashed years of forbidden passion. Not only were Jade and Rex madly in love, but they were also in the midst of designing a house together. If Jade and Rex hadn’teased the feud between the families, Riley, being Jade’s best friend, would never have had a chance to get closer to Josh.
“You know what I mean. I’m happy for you.” Riley curled her legs up on the couch and rubbed her aching feet. “Anyway, you know how their brother Hugh is kind of self-centered and Dane is so smooth that you just know he’s got to be a player?” She didn’t wait for Jade to concur.“Well, Josh is like a mixture of all of them. He’s smooth, but I don’t see him as a player. He’s refined, but not snooty; he’s not self-centered, but one look at how meticulous he is about his clothing and hair, and you know there’s a bit of self-centeredness in him. He’s just…different.”
“You’re all breathy. This is the guy you lusted over for all those years, and your answer is that he’sdifferent?” Jade accused her.
She and Jade had been best friends since they learned to talk, and she knew Jade would see through any false impressions she tried to give, so instead she told her the truth. “I’m here for a career, not a relationship. I’m trying not to let myself think of him in that way.”
“Um, Ri, you just did,” Jade teased.
“You know what I mean. I know he exists, and I am a woman, afterall, but I’m not going there. Not with him.” She remembered Claudia leaning in to Josh’s back when they were introduced. “Besides, I’m not so sure Cruella isn’t sleeping with him.”
“What about all that, ‘I swear I wanted to kiss him’ stuff that you said when you guys were meeting to talk about you working for him, and yes, I’m using air quotes around ‘working for him,’” Jade said.
“Ugh! Jade.It’s hard enough seeing his handsome face and feeling those things. Do I really have to acknowledge them, too? I’m here for a career, like I said. Not for Josh.” She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself or Jade.
“Well, I’m glad to hear you’re keeping your eye on what matters,” Jade said. “But even if you weren’t, I’d be right there, cheering you on.”
“That’s because you’re the bestfriend ever. On the upside, I stayed late tonight and sketched a bit.”
“Really? Will you make me something wonderful to wear for Christmas?”
The excitement in Jade’s voice inspired Riley. “Yes, of course. I tossed the ones I drew tonight. I was too tired to do anything worthwhile, but I’ll work on it. And you know what? You’re right. I’m not gonna let Cruella get to me. She’ll zap me of allmy creativity.” She felt a burst of renewed focus. “Tell me something fun. How’s your house design coming along?” Jade and Rex had purchased a plot of land between their families’ estates, and they hoped to build their house in the coming months.
“Same, same. We’ve got the plans pretty well set. We’re meeting with the builder again next week.”
“Let me know how it goes.” Riley rubbed the ballof her foot. “I swear my feet feel like they’ve been bound. I’m gonna take a hot bath. Call ya tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. Miss you,” Jade said.
Riley ended the call and headed for the bathroom, stopping in the living room to look over a photo on Savannah’s bookshelf. Josh stood between his father and Hugh, the rest of his siblings fanned out to their sides. Each of the Braden men were striking,but as she looked at them all lined up with their radiant smiles and muscular physiques, it was Josh who drew her attention.It’s always been you.
She set the frame back on the bookshelf. “Now I’m really losing it,” she said aloud. “He’s your boss. Delete that thought. Delete, delete, delete…”
