Page 50 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Chapter Twenty
SATURDAY MORNING, JOSH rose early for his run. He hadn’t missed a run since moving to New York, and lately, the idea of leaving Riley, lying naked and alone in the bed they shared, made his morning run not quite as appealing as it once had been. He showered and slipped into his running clothes as quietly as he was able, then wrote a note for Riley and placed it on the kitchen counter.
He put on his running shoes and headed out the door, hesitating for just a second as he debated climbing back in bed beside Riley and missing his run—just this once. It was a slippery slope, and if he skipped one run, he’d have an even harder time getting out of bed the next day, and the next, and the next…
He jogged through Central Park, watching the sun climb above the trees, its warm raysfiltering through the umbrella of bare branches. Dawn was his favorite time of day, before the masses began hurrying about, when the birds still lingered on the dewy grass and the ducks slept lazily beside the water.
When he reached the Dakota, he slowed to a walk and caught his breath. He withdrew the key from his jogging shorts pocket and entered his apartment. After spending time with Rileyin Savannah’s quaint apartment, his seemed too big, too empty, and far too…cold. He remembered how proud he’d been when he’d purchased the eight-room apartment and how special he’d felt knowing he was walking into the same building where John Lennon had lived. Now, as he walked through the expansive living room to the balcony overlooking the park, he realized how silly that feeling had been andwhat it said about who he had been. When he’d come to New York, he’d pulled far away from his Colorado roots, trying to fit in with the other elite designers and, he now realized, worrying about his image and what other people thought of him.
After spending time with his family during his recent trip back home—two of his brothers now in love, his father still pining for his mother—he’d returnedto New York wanting more. Riley seemed the answer to his prayers. Since she came into his life, he’d felt more fulfilled than any material item could ever make him feel. She fed his desire to love and be loved.Love.He knew it was crazy, falling in love so quickly, but he was sure the way his heart hammered in his chest when he thought of her—as it was right then—and the way she was always onhis mind, every moment of every day, that he was falling deeper and deeper in love with her. When Treat pulled him into the kitchen and suggested that she rent his apartment, Treat had instinctively known that Josh had been on the verge of asking her to move in with him. He’d offered the apartment as a safety net. Riley could live there, or have the option of staying there, giving them the time tobe certain about their relationship without the added pressure of a year-long lease or moving in together right away.There’s no rush, Treat had told him.
Josh didn’t need or want time. He was one hundred percent sure of his feelings, but he didn’t want to pressure Riley.
He crossed the hardwood floor, passing the hand-carved mantel above the fireplace and the pocket doors that led to the statelydining room. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d used the dining room. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d even walked into the guest bedroom on the other side of the apartment, either. He assumed his cleaning lady cleaned it, but he wouldn’t know if she hadn’t.
He headed down the hall toward the master bedroom. He stood in the center of his sitting room, arms crossed, surveyingthe rarely used room with the beautiful fireplace.This could be Riley’s design studio.He wasn’t sure how he’d handle finding time for Riley to design Max’s dress while she was working under Claudia’s supervision as an assistant. Designing at the office would raise all sorts of questions. He wasn’t going to figure it out in the next five minutes, and he wanted to say goodbye to Treat and Maxbefore returning to Riley’s. He went through the bedroom to the bathroom, where he washed his face with cool water. He patted it dry and leaned over the sink, looking at himself in the mirror. He ran his hand through his hair and scoffed at his sweaty shirt.Treat’s seen me look worse.Josh had no interest in spending any more time in the home he once took solace in unless Riley was by his side.
He left his apartment and headed to the next floor, where he found Treat and Max closing the door behind them.
“Josh, what are you doing here so early?” Treat asked.
“I came to say thank you.” He hugged his brother, embracing him for a breath longer than usual. Treat had offered sage advice throughout his life, and he appreciated him for that and for the love he’d shown him over the years. Whenhe disengaged from his brother’s strong grip, he hugged Max. She felt like a fragile bird in comparison.
“Thanks for letting Riley design my dress, Josh,” Max said. “I feel blessed on so many levels.” She took Treat’s hand with a smile.
“We’ll see you at Dad’s for Christmas?” Treat asked.
“Yeah, of course.” He bit back his desire to bend Treat’s ear for a minute more, and as Treat always had,he sensed his hesitation.
“What is it?” Treat asked. “You’ve got that look you always had as a kid when you wanted to ask Dad something but you were afraid to.” He moved his head forward and stared at him. “And you’re doing that pensive, biting-the-inside-of-your-lip thing you used to do. What’s wrong?”
Josh looked down. Was he a fool? Was he missing some raging red flag? He was not used todealing with such intense matters of the heart, and he needed guidance.
“How did you know?” Josh’s words fell fast and determined. “When you knew you two were in love, did it scare the heck out of you and make you feel like you were on cloud nine all at once? Or is it just me?”
Treat broke into a wide grin as they headed into the elevator.
“Aww,” Max said. “Little Joshy is in love.”
Josh closedhis eyes and shook his head. When he opened them, Treat had a serious look in his dark eyes.
“I’m gonna tell you what Dad told me about Max.” Treat pulled Max close to his side. “‘Ain’t no use pretending that noose around your heart doesn’t tighten every time you see that woman.’” He shrugged. “That’s the best I’ve got for you, Josh. You know when you know, and love is like nothing you’ve everfelt before. It makes you question everything you’ve ever done and everything you’ve ever known.” He kissed Max’s forehead. “And it’s the best thing that can happen to a guy.”
“A noose around your heart. That’s it exactly. Thanks, Treat. I just keep feeling like it’s all happening so fast, but I don’t want to slow it down. I just want to run with it. Forever,” Josh admitted.
The elevator doorsopened, and Treat held the front door open for Max and Josh to pass through into the frigid morning air.
“Then what are you standing around here for? Figure this out and move it along. Riley’s a catch, and the fact that she’s from Weston makes me think fate has stepped into another Braden’s life.” Treat opened the door of the waiting sedan. “I love ya, bro.” He hugged him again and stepped intothe car after Max. “Hey, you still have the key, right?” Treat had given Josh a key to his apartment when he first purchased it.
“Of course.”
“Good luck. Love you,” Treat said.
“Love you both, too.” The words came so easily for them. Their father had always shown them love, verbally, physically, and emotionally, and by doing so, they’d each been comfortable showing love toward one another.Now Josh was ready to share that love with Riley. He watched them drive away before sprinting back to Riley’s.
RILEY WAS PACKING her belongings when Josh burst through the door. His determined footsteps crossed the floor. She stepped into the hall, and Josh took her in his arms and kissed her, holding her so tightly shecould barely breathe. It wasn’t a sexually driven kiss, and the difference stole her breath. This kiss was laden with an energy that vibrated through him, seeping into her lungs, her heart, and—she swore—into her soul. This kiss held the promise of something so big, she could practically feel it swoop her off her feet. She could taste the tangy sweetness of it.
He drew back, his hands on herwaist, his eyes searching hers, and a silly grin on his lips. “I love you, Riley Banks.”
She couldn’t breathe. Her jaw gaped and her heart slammed against her chest so fast she thought it might explode.
“There are just no two ways about it.” Josh’s words fell from his mouth fast and loud. “I love your quirky jokes. I love you when you’re scruffy, and I love you when you’re naked. I love theway you melt beneath my touch, and most of all, I love your kind and generous soul. Riley, you’re one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met, and I…I…Damn it, Riley. I love you, all of you. You don’t have to tell me that you love me. I just didn’t want to hold it back anymore. You need to know, or…or I needed to tell you.”
Riley could barely think past the rush of adrenaline soaring throughher. Her stomach whirled and goose bumps rushed up her arms. “Josh” was all she could push from her lungs. She took a step forward, her palms against his chest, her cheek between them. His arms enveloped her. His heart beat against her cheek, sure and true.
She looked up at him, knowing she’d remember the sincerity and hope in his eyes forever. Her eyes watered, and her throat tightened. Sheswallowed, forcing her voice past the lump that had lodged itself there and hoping it would be as strong as the love in her heart. “I love you, too.”
