Page 24 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Eleven
RILEY AWOKE TO the sound of her cell phone vibrating on the bedside table. She reached for it without opening her eyes, and then she remembered the night before—and the missing piece.Did we say goodbye?She shot up in bed, pulling the covers against her chest. Her eyes scanned the bedroom. Josh’s clothes were gone, his wallet, too.Thank goodness. Oh no. Did he sneak out? Likea one-night stand?
Her phone vibrated against her cheek, and she clicked the Talk button. “Hello?”
“You were supposed to call me last night.”
“Jade,” Riley whispered frantically into the phone as she climbed from the bed. She didn’t know if Josh was outside the bedroom door, still in the apartment.
“What’s wrong?” Jade asked.
“Nothing. Everything. Hold on.” She set the phone on the nightstandand pulled on a T-shirt and underwear, then picked it back up. “It was a definite date.”
“Why are we whispering?” Jade whispered.
“Because I can’t remember saying goodbye to Josh after…you know.”
“You and Josh?” Jade screamed into the phone. “Really? This is wonderful!”
“No, it’s not. I mean, it’s wonderful, yes, but it’s also crazy scary.” She tiptoed into the living room and, seeing thatshe was alone, breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why is it scary?”
“Because. Now I’m sleeping with my boss, and you know Cruella will eat that up and spit me out for all to walk on.” Riley noticed a note on the counter in the kitchen. “Hold on,” she said as she retrieved and read the note.
Good morning, beautiful. Back soon. J.
“Oh my gosh.”
“Riley, clue me in here,” Jade urged.
“It’s a note fromJosh. He’s coming back. What time is it?” The sun was just beginning to rise over the crest of the trees.
“Six your time,” Jade said.
“Isn’t it like four in the morning there? Jeez you get up early to take care of those animals. Why would he leave and then come back before six in the morning?” Riley went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. There was a freshly used towel hanging neatlyon the towel rack. “He showered,” she said.
“And you what? Slept through him getting ready and leaving after you had sex?” Jade’s voice carried an entertained tone.
“Ugh. I must have. I don’t even know what time we fell asleep.”
“That’s some good sex,” Jade said. “Really, think about it. When’s the last time you had sex and didn’t want to push the guy out the door afterward? You’re not exactlythe sleepover type.”
“Shut up. It’s not like I’m a slut,” Riley spat.
“No, but you are really picky, which tells me one thing loud and clear. Josh Braden is good in bed.”
Riley turned off the water of the shower and sat on the toilet lid, thinking about the evening before. Josh had touched her with such care and attention, like he was savoring every moment as much as she’d been. “He was, butit was more than that. When you and Rex finally got together for good, did you feel like everything he did felt right?”
“What do you mean? He’s a man, and no man does everything right.” Jade laughed.
“No, I mean like every touch felt right. With most guys, when they touch you, they’re rushing ahead and ready for the next step. You know, kiss, boob, coochie, boom. It wasn’t like that with him.”Open your eyes. Be with me.A chill ran up her spine with the memory.
“Sometimes that’s nice, the rush of hot sex, but yeah, I know what you mean. So, what now? How will you handle Cruella?”
Riley blew out a breath. “That’s the worst part. I told him I’d rather sneak around than let her know.”
“No, you did not.”
