Page 72 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Riley was embarrassed to be listening in on his phone call, and she tried againto pull away, but Josh’s grip was too strong. She pointed to the phone and brought her hand to her ear, mouthing,You can pick it up.
Josh shook his head and pulled her closer. “A bit of a circus,” Josh said.
“What’s this about Riley stealing the design for Max’s dress?” Treat asked.
Riley couldn’t help herself from calling out. “I didn’t do it,” she said.
“It’s Claudia’s newest ruse. We’redealing with it,” Josh said.
“Dealing with it? Not from what I can see. Have you seen the headlines?Airing the Dirty Laundry of the Designing World.This can’t be good for your career, or Riley’s. It’s not exactly what I meant when I said to turn the media on to her design skills.”
“Treat,” Josh said. “Please, this is stressful enough. No jokes, all right?”
“I’m sorry. What can I do? Wantme to make a statement? Say she showed us the dress two months earlier? I assume she’s innocent in this mess,” Treat said.
“I am, but I don’t want you to lie.” Riley was astounded by Treat’s offer, but she wanted to prove herself honestly.
“We’ll handle it,” Josh said. “I’m sending her home so she’s out of reach of the media. I’m hiring a PI to figure it out.”
“Sounds smart,” Treat said. “Letme know what I can do. If you want me to come back to New York, I can be there in a few hours. By the way, Riley, where’d they get that picture of you? You definitely looked like a kid with her hand in the candy jar.”
“Picture? What picture?” Riley asked.
“Front of Page Six,” Treat said.
“We gotta go, Treat. Thanks for calling.” Josh pulled out his iPad and pulled up theNew York Post’s website.Riley’s startled face stared back at them above the article beside a photograph of Claudia holding up the drawing of Max’s dress.
“Oh my gosh. They took that at the trade show yesterday. That’s crazy. I look guilty.” This was ten times worse than she’d imagined. How could she ever show her face on the streets of New York again? What would this do to Josh and his reputation? As she stewed overthose questions, a concern rose to the forefront of her mind. “Josh, they caught us leaving your apartment together.”
“No, they caught us both leaving the apartment building,” he corrected her.
“With you carrying my bags and then running to my side to shield me from the cameras. Come on. There’s no covering this up. Pictures of us together will be on all the websites in an hour, if they’re notalready.”
“I’m not trying to cover it up. I told you: I’m with you, scandal or no scandal.” Josh Googled his name. With a piercing pain in her stomach, Riley read through the first three listings.
Designer Josh Braden’s new girlfriend. Is she a thief?
The Braden Scandal: Is he dating a fraud?
UPDATE: Fashion Designer Josh Braden leaves home with accused design thief/lover.
“What are we gonnado now?” Riley could barely get the words from her lungs. She’d come to New York looking for a career, and not only had she lost hers, but she’d ruined Josh’s in the process.
Josh’s phone rang again. He pushed the speakerphone button again. “I’ve already seen it,” he said to his sister.
“You’re sleeping with Riley and I’m the last to know?” Savannah asked. “Do you have me on speaker? I hatethat.”
“Yes, and Riley’s right here,” he said.
Wishing she could grow wings and fly away, Riley said, “Hi, Savannah.”
“Hey, Ri.”
“Sorry we didn’t tell you we’re dating. We were trying to keep it quiet,” Riley explained.
“Maybe you should have thought about that before leaving Josh’s apartment together. What’s this cockamamie story about you stealing Cruella’s designs?” she asked.
“Even youcall her that?” Riley asked.
