Page 43 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“Love that,” Mia said with a wide smile. She snagged the canary yellow scarf and handed it to Riley. “Just put it back when you’redone.”
“Sure. No problem.”
Mia stroked her chin, studying Riley’s pantsuit. “That’s a really great outfit on you.”
Riley sensed sincerity in Mia’s voice. Her eyes were bright and her smile genuine. Josh’s faith in Mia reassured her, and Riley sensed that she could let her guard down with her. “Thanks, Mia. I don’t have the money to wear all designer clothes yet, and back home dressing up meantwearing your best cowgirl boots and denim skirt.” She laughed.
“Been there, done that,” she said.
“Where are you from?”
“Southern Virginia. My father ran a dairy farm.” She shrugged. “I think that’s why I always wear jeans. It reminds me of home.”
“You can get away with skinny jeans. You’re about as big around as a string bean, besides, with your heels and your taste in blouses, you alwayslook stunning.”
“Thanks. It’s all about comfort for me, and Josh doesn’t seem to mind, so…” She shrugged.
Josh doesn’t seem to mind much of anything, other than Claudia’s attempts to seduce him.Riley smiled to herself.
“Mia, can you give me the name and number of the company courier?”
“Sure. I can have something couriered if you need me to,” Mia offered.
“Really? Peter Stafford asked tosee my portfolio. Josh knows. It’s not for another job or anything like that. I was in the meeting with him and Josh the other night about the Bliss line, and he asked then, as well as when he called earlier today.”
“Sure. Wow, that’s big. Peter is known for turning down ideas, not asking for more.”
“Really? Hm.” She had no idea why Peter had requested her work, but she’d been up-front withJosh, and being open with the company and working through the JBD courier would send a clear and professional message to Peter. “Thank you. Oh, and I don’t know why, but I have a feeling this is best done without Claudia knowing about it. She might think I’m doing something inappropriate.”
“She’d be jealous as all get out. How are things going with Cruella?”
Riley froze. Had she heard her usethat name? She ran through her calls to Jade and couldn’t remember calling her from the office.
“Relax. We all call her that.”
She let out a relieved breath. “Oh, whew. I thought you read my mind.”
“Nope. Is she making your life miserable?”
Riley leaned against a shelf. “Only a little. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“She has a thing for Josh, so she puts all attractive new employees through thewringer.”
“Really?”Attractive?The compliment made her day.
“Haven’t you noticed the way she stalks him, showing up whenever you and Josh are near each other? I swear that woman’s got him on a homing device.”
Riley hated herself for what she was about to ask, but it didn’t stop the words from tumbling from her lips. “Do you think they’ve ever…you know?”
Mia let out a loud, “Ha! Josh? No way.He doesn’t even like dating the gorgeous women he’s set up with. I can’t figure him out. He’s got women at his fingertips, and it’s like he’s waiting for Ms. Right. I have no idea what he thinks he’ll find in a woman, but he doesn’t like the typical snooty women he’s introduced to. I just hope that when she shows up, she’s as kind as he is, because the wrong woman could ruin that wonderful man.”
I’m a kind woman.“You’re so right. I hope so, too.”
Mia looked at her then with narrowing eyes, and Riley thought she saw a secret lingering behind her gaze.There’s no way she could possibly know about us.She thanked her for the help and went back to her desk.
Her phone vibrated as she sat down. She pulled it out and was surprised to see a text from Max.
Hi, it’s Max. Jade gave me ur number.I hear ur with Josh!
