Page 55 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Twenty-Four
RILEY SAT WITH her legs crossed in the packed conference room, her eyes darting from person to person. Simone and K.T. whispered among themselves. K.T. pointed to something on his tablet, and Simone let out a loud laugh. Clay scrolled through his cell phone messages, and Chantal tapped her pen on a black notebook that lay on the table. She had a pinched look on her face. Rileywondered how she must look to everyone else, with her right foot bouncing with nervous energy and her jaw clenched so tight her teeth hurt. She closed her eyes for just a second and reminded herself of what mattered:I’m educated, knowledgeable, and eager. I can do this.She opened her eyes and thought,Correction. I’m a skilled designer. I will do this.
Mia walked into the conference room ina long black skirt and white tuxedo shirt. Chunky black, white, and gold necklaces hung over her thin chest. Josh followed her into the room in the black Versace suit he’d dressed in earlier that morning. Riley knew he was wearing black boxer briefs beneath the finely made trousers. She felt heat rush up her neck and cheeks.Ice. Think of ice.But thinking of ice only made her think of ice cubesand all the dirty things she’d heard about people doing with them.I’m turning into a sex maniac.That thought brought a mischievous grin to her lips.
Josh touched the back of her chair as he walked behind her, and she gripped the portfolio she held in her lap tightly between her hands to keep from reaching back and touching his hand.
Once he moved to the head of the table and sat down, shelet out the breath she’d been holding. It became more and more difficult to repress her feelings in front of her peers, and recently she’d found herself resenting the need to.Is it a need or a desire?She couldn’t think about that right now. She had to focus.
Mia went over the agenda for the meeting and the details for the New Year’s Eve party. Josh had told her about the annual JBD black-tieaffair. Each year he made a speech, handed out bonus checks, and commended each employee for something they’d done well over the course of the year. Riley was sure the trade show would be a success, and she wondered if Josh would comment on her work at the New Year’s Eve party. It was a big event for the employees. A time for them to feel honored and appreciated. She was looking forward to it andhad already begun leafing through the JBD closet for possible gowns to wear. Mia had been setting aside the items she thought might fit Riley. Since the samples were made for models, size six or eight was considered large. With Josh’s insatiable appetite for her, she felt just as sexy and appealing as she had when she’d left Weston—before stepping into the impossibly thin world of fashion design.In fact, she thought as she listened to Simone describe design elements she was struggling with,I’m proud of myself for not falling prey to the overly image consciousness of Manhattan.She cared about fashion—oh yes, more than she was willing to admit—but it did not define her. She was still the same Riley Banks that had left Weston so many weeks earlier. She still kicked back in her jeans andT-shirts. She still ate what she enjoyed and laughed louder than most men. Her confidence grew as she realized how far she’d come and how much more room there was to grow. By the time it was her turn to present, her frenetic pulse had calmed. She drew her shoulders back and held her head high.
Riley set her portfolio on the table. “My first trade show is this afternoon, and thanks to ClaudiaI’m fully prepared.” She shot a glance at Claudia, whose nose inched toward the ceiling. Riley didn’t like seeing Claudia gloat, but she had been the one to give Riley the information she needed in order to succeed with the show.
“The samples are ready and I’ve got everything Josh has ever designed memorized. Every stock number, every color, every stitch, and every piece of fabric. I think I’veeven memorized how many hours it took to make each piece. The show is allowing three designers premium space with substantial build out, and we’ve secured a spot, so we can’t fail. In fact”—she looked at her watch—“the booth should be erected by now.”
“Way to go, Riley. You’ll knock ’em dead,” Simone said.
“Thanks, Simone. As long as I knock their wallets loose, that’s all I need.” Riley avoidedJosh’s eyes, which were locked on her with what must look like professional pride to everyone else, but Riley could still feel his hands around her waist, as they’d been earlier that morning, his cheek against hers, the smell of his cologne seeping into her pores, and his voice in her ear.I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait for the day to be over so I can make love to a woman with trade show experience.He’d made it sound so erotic. She cleared her throat in an effort to clear her mind and focused on sharing her design for Max’s dress.
“I’ve been working on designs for a beach wedding dress for a friend,” Riley began.
“Not just a friend, for the fiancée of one of America’s Most Eligible Bachelors,” Josh added.
Riley started at his admission. “Yes, that’s right.”
Claudia lowered her chin.“I haven’t heard about this. Who might that be?”
Her question sucked the confidence right out of Riley’s brain. She looked to Josh for direction.
“Who doesn’t matter at this juncture,” Josh responded. “Riley, please continue.”
Riley shot another look at Claudia, now sitting back with a narrowed gaze locked on her. Her pulse sped up again. She feigned a cough, trying to regain her composure.I can do this. I can do this.
Her hands trembled as she lifted the design sheets. She reached for the back of a chair to support her weakened knees as she placed the drawings on the display boards. Every breath she took echoed in her ears. She scanned the images she’d spent hours laboring over, scrutinizing them for fault, and as she took in the fine neckline, the unique, intricate designs ofthe bodice, and the simplicity and flow of the skirt, a bit of her confidence returned.
She faced the people she’d spent weeks working with and hoped for a positive reaction. She took a deep breath and began describing her process.
“The bride is very utilitarian. Comfort and ease of wear are her primary concerns. The wedding will take place in the summer, and she’s looking for a simple gownthat doesn’t scream of her fiancé’s social stature, but rather whispers it with grace.” There was a collective,Mm, around the table. Pleased at the response and worried by the frown on Claudia’s face, she forced herself to continue.
“I opted for a spaghetti strap and a modified sweetheart neckline to draw the eyes up.”
K.T. nodded. Riley’s eyes drew back to Claudia, whose frown had turned toa devious smirk, the left side of her mouth curved up. She leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, and leaned her right arm on the table.
Riley shot a glance at Josh, hoping to draw strength from him. He nodded just enough for her to see but not enough for anyone else to notice. Mia’s eyes were wide. She nodded, then flashed a thumbs-up, encouraging Riley to continue.
She took another deepbreath, drew her rounded shoulders back again, and went on to describe the materials she’d use for the dress, the lack of a long, bustling train, and the intricate and delicate embellishments. There were many questions about the printed designs, which she answered with confidence, and by the time she was done, Josh was beaming across the table at her, and the others were murmuring among themselves,with the exception of Claudia, who remained in the same position she’d been in when Riley had begun describing the dress. And with the same evil smirk on her lips.
