Page 91 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
Everyone stared at her. She didn’t want to call Josh in front of everyone. What if he hadn’t called because he wasn’t sure about them anymore? What if he didn’t tell her about Claudia because he was on her side now?
“Call him,” Savannah said.
Riley pressed speed dial and put the phone to her ear.Don’t pick up. Don’t pickup.
“Riley,” he said in a rushed whisper. “You okay?”
Hearing his voice made her want to climb through the phone and crawl into his lap. “Josh? Yes. You?” Too many questions cluttered her mind.
“Yeah, fine. I’m in the middle of something. I’m sorry about thePostand about not calling. I can explain.”
“I don’t care about thePost.”Yes, I do. Explain, please!“Why are you whispering?”
“I’min the middle of a meeting. I love you. I’ll call you later. Promise. ’Kay, babe?”
Riley ended the call feeling more confused than she was before. “He says he’s okay and that he can explain about thePost.”
“Of course he can. Jeez, if there’s one thing about my brothers, none of them are cheats. My father would have whooped their butts if he thought he raised cheaters,” Savannah said.
“I’dnever have pegged Josh as a cheater, but I have to admit, I do feel better having heard him say he can explain,” Riley admitted.
“What are you going to do, Ri?” Jade asked. “Have you thought any more about what happens if they don’t clear your name?”
“That’s all I can think about, and if it’s fair to Josh to stay with him. I mean he’s a great guy, but he could do so much better than a womanwith an accusation likedesign thiefon her résumé.” Riley averted her eyes from Savannah’s dark stare.
“Are you telling me that you would break up with him…to protect him from being—what?—connected to you if they don’t clear your name?” Savannah pushed her chair back and crossed her arms.
“I don’t think she’s saying that,” Jade said.
“I’m so confused, Savannah. What would you do?” Riley neededanswers, and since she hadn’t come up with any, she sure hoped someone else had them.
“Any man that would stick with me through thick and thin would be making his own choice.” Savannah clenched her jaw. “If you plan on hurting Josh—”
“No, that’s not my intent,” Riley said.Great. Now his sister hates me.“I’m saying that…”Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.Her eyes betrayed her and filled with tears.“I just don’t know what to do.” Her voice cracked as warm tears spilled down her cheeks. “I love him, Savannah. I don’t ever want to be without him, but what if being with him hurts him? He loves his career. I could kill his reputation.”
Jade was by her side in a heartbeat, her arms wrapped around her. “Shh. It’s gonna be okay. We’ll figure this out,” Jade said.
“I went through this with Treat,”Max added. “I’m not sure if you knew about this, Savannah, but I didn’t want Treat to give up his work for me. I knew how much he loved the traveling, the negotiations, the fast-paced lifestyle, but in the end, I realized that I could only control what I did, not what he did. These are men, not boys, Riley. They make their own decisions, and from what I’ve experienced with Treat, I can honestlysay that he’s never regretted his decision.”
Riley wiped her eyes. “So you think I shouldn’t worry that he’ll change his mind?”
“No way,” Max said. “If Josh says he loves you, he will stand by you. How can you or anyone else dispute what comes from his heart? They’re his feelings, Riley, not yours or anyone else’s. Just Josh’s.”
Riley looked at Savannah, who was watching her like a lion onthe prowl—one wrong word about her brother and she’d pounce.
“Savannah, I need to know. Do you think if Josh decided to stay with me he wouldn’t turn around and regret it a month, a year, or even ten years later?” Riley held her breath, waiting for Savannah to answer.
Savannah opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. She took a drink; then she put one hand on Riley’s hand and the otheron her heart. “I’m not Josh, but cross my heart, this is what I believe. If Josh makes a commitment, it’s a commitment that he won’t break unless you force him to.” She pulled Riley into a hug and whispered against her ear, “If you hurt him, I’ll kill you, so decide before he gets here.”
Riley pulled away with her eyes wide, her heart racing.
“Kidding,” Savannah said in a high-pitched voice.Something in her voice told Riley she wasn’t.
