Page 38 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“Rex brought it up, not me,” she explained.
Josh laughed. “I know that. I just love to see you get riled up. But I do wish you’dhave come to me earlier. Think of all the time we’ve missed together.”
Riley stroked his arm.
Josh couldn’t stop wondering if they’d have an issue if Claudia didn’t exist. Would Simone or K.T. or any of the others feel like she slept her way to the top? The questions formed an endless circle in his mind.
“Well, like I said before, we should just keep things quiet,” Riley said. “Who knows? Youmight not even like me tomorrow.”
“You mention edible underwear and twenty minutes later you think I might not like you the next day? I am male. I’m still thinking about the edible underwear.”
“If you wear it, I’ll wear it,” she said.
“Now we’re talking.” He laughed, but he was still worried about what Treat had said. They did need a backup plan. At some point, something would come to light,whether by accident or on purpose, and they needed to be able to deal with it proactively, not reactively.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” he asked.
“Studying line sheets for the trade show.”
“How about taking a break for dinner with me, Treat, and Max at your place? A double date.” The thought of being together as a couple in front of his family was a big step for Josh, and he felt hischest swell with joy.
“Really? What are they doing here? I’d love to see them.”
“Treat’s here on business, and I’m designing Max’s wedding dress. It’ll be fun. We’ll bring in food from anywhere you want.” They left the park and headed back toward her apartment.
“Icancook, you know. My mama did teach me that,” Riley said.
“Mm. You can cook and you’re beautiful? I’m a lucky guy.” There werefewer people on the street, making their walk back much quicker than their walk to the park. Josh slowed his pace, wanting to savor the normalcy of the evening. Being with Riley in the park reminded him of his high school years, when he’d watch her in the schoolyard with Jade, or walking around town with her girlfriends. His body remembered those stolen glances, too, and the rush of adrenaline thatsoared through him returned. He smiled at the memory, and when he looked at Riley, a peaceful smile on her lips as they strolled hand in hand, he wanted her to know that his feelings for her had started well before a few weeks ago.
“Riley, I’ve never admitted this to anyone, but I had a pretty bad crush on you in school.”
“No way. I had a wicked crush on you, too, but you were a Braden boy andway out of my league.”
“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard it my whole life. We’re just a family. We’re nothing special.” He’d always been proud of the Braden name, but he hadn’t been blind to their reputation. He and his siblings had been seen as theuntouchable Bradens: too good-looking for just anyone to go out with and too wealthy to be treated like everyone else.It was the one aspect of being a Braden that had always bothered him. Luckily, as the years passed, people matured and some of that air had fallen way.
“You were the hottest guys in town, and Savannah? She was like a model even in grade school, with that gorgeous auburn hair and her extroverted personality. I swear, I was so jealous of her confidence.”
“I remember you being pretty darn confidentand definitely gorgeous. You and Jade were always together, and we had to avoid Jade, so I could never approach you, but there were times that I’d see you and Jade hovering close together, laughing about something, or in town shopping, and I was so drawn to you. I remember just watching you, wishing I could gather the courage to talk to you. And, well, this is embarrassing, but I remember thinkingabout you way too muchafterI’d seen you.”
“Yeah?” she asked as they climbed the steps to her apartment.
“Oh yeah. Way too much.”
“Well, that feud took a toll on all of us. Jade was lusting after Rex and I was always thinking about you,” Riley said. “Gosh, I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to cross that invisible line just to hang out with you at the fall festival or after school wheneveryone was just hanging around.”
“I think it just makes things sweeter for us, having all that time to dwell on our private thoughts about each other.”
“Fantasies?” she teased.
“I’ll never tell.” At the top of the stairs, Josh took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Ms. Banks.”
“Is this my kiss good night?” She draped her arms around his neck.
“I don’twant to push myself on you.” The lie turned his stomach. He wanted nothing more than to open the door and carry her into the bedroom and have his way with her, but he wanted—no, he needed—to give her time and space to think. They were moving fast, at least his heart was, and he wanted her to have time to process her feelings.
“Push. Please push.” She kissed him hungrily.
Who cares about thinkingspace?
