Page 81 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Thirty-Eight
DANE ANSWERED THE phone on the fourth ring, just as Josh was about to hang up.
“Josh! How’s my little brother?” Even though Josh stood eye to eye to his six-foot-three brother, Dane never failed to throw “little” at him as often as he could.
“Hanging in there. How about you? Where are you?” Josh asked.
“Heading home, actually. Making my way to the airport now.”
“Dad saidI should check in with you. Anything going on that I should know about?” Josh clicked on his computer and opened his email.
“Dad.” Dane laughed. “How does that old man always know when something’s up? There’s no great shakes happening in my life.”
Josh noted an emptiness in Dane’s response. “You sure? What am I hearing in your voice?”
“Nothing, Josh. Really.” Dane blew out a loud breath. “Nothinglike the mess that’s going on in yours, thank goodness.” He laughed again.
“Great. Take pleasure in my pain. That’s a supportive brother for you.”
“Sorry. It makes me realize how lucky I have it. No ties that bind.”
Josh heard another twinge of something…loneliness maybe, in Dane’s voice. “You sure there’s nothing you want to talk about?”
“Not at this juncture, but it’s good to know you’rethere. I appreciate it. Anything I can do to ease your situation?” Dane asked. “I feel for Riley. I mean it’s hard enough going from Weston to New York. A whole new world. And the poor thing is attacked by the wolves. You don’t think she did it, do you?”
Josh hated the voice running through his head,I don’t think so, but how can I be sure?“You know Riley. You think she’d ever do something likethat? Jeopardize a career she just began?” The words felt wrong tumbling from his lips.
“Or her relationship with the boss?” Dane tossed in.
“Right, there is that.”
“No, I don’t, but we never really know someone until the muck comes up the pipes, right?” Dane said something to someone in the background. “I gotta go. My flight’s boarding. See you at home. Love ya, bro.”
Satisfied that his father’sradar must have been off and Dane was just fine, Josh ended the call and turned to his emails, clicking on one from Peter Stafford.
Josh,
I’m in Switzerland with limited access while I’m with the family. We’ve scheduled a meeting on January4, and I intend to make it. I’ve got a new venture I’d like to discuss. I’ve reviewed Riley Banks’s portfolio, and you were correct. Her talent is unmatched.Please be sure to include her in our meeting, as agreed. I’d like to get her input on the spring lineup for our girls. I believe you have a winner on your hands.
Best,
Peter
Josh closed his email and pushed away from his desk, wishing Reggie hadn’t left him so conflicted about Riley’s innocence. His father’s words ran through his head.Can your heart live without her? It’ll all mean nothingwithout a full heart. Man…He wanted her input on the spring lineup? Josh really needed to get some answers and clear her name.
“MR. B, YOU here?” Mia sailed into his office carrying a cardboard coffee tray in one hand and a paper bag in the other.
Josh reached for the drinks. “You’re supposed to be going home to spendthe holidays with your family,” he said, though he was glad to see her. His nerves were coiled like a snake. He needed a distraction.
“So are you,” she said. “I knew you’d be here, so I brought you dinner.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“No, I didn’t, but that’s what the world’s best assistant does. She plans ahead, fixes problems before they occur, and…” She looked up as she set the sandwichesdown on his desk. “Oh darn, I don’t know what else, but I didn’t come here to prove how great I am. I came here to make sure you weren’t falling apart. You didn’t answer your phone messages from me, or the text I sent.”
“It’s been quite a day,” Josh admitted.
“I bet. How’s Riley holding up?”
