Friendship on Fire(17)

“Works for me. Where’s Savannah?”

“She’s in LA for two weeks. She let Riley stay there until she found an apartment.”

“Sounds good. Does Savannah know you’re doin’ her roommate?” he teased.

“Jesus, Treat. That’s a little raunchy, don’t you think? And no, she doesn’t know. No one knows.”

“I’ll bet Jade does.”

“Maybe,” Josh said, wondering if she did.

“It’ll be nice to see you.”

“You too, Treat, and thanks for keeping this between us.”

“Do me a favor, Josh. Have a backup plan. Things like this don’t stay hidden for long. I think Rex and Jade lasted for less than two weeks before Rex lost it and had to tell everyone. Figure out your what-if plan, and make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. You taught me well.”





Chapter Thirteen


“TRADE SHOWS ARE one of the most important aspects of our jobs,” Claudia began. “We are a reflection of JBD, therefore”—she ran her eyes slowly down Riley’s cream blouse and black pencil skirt, both of which were not high-fashion pieces, but they were stylish and professional—“you need to represent JBD. Get something from the closet. If you can find something that fits.”

Riley clenched her jaw. Let it go. Just let it go. “I’ll do that.”

“You need to be there an hour early to set up the booth. Be sure the layout is perfect.”

“Aren’t you going to be there?” Riley asked. This was to be her first trade show. She had no idea how Josh liked things arranged.

“Yes, but I’ll have things to do. I’ll join you right before we open. And the show is trying something different this year. They’re doing an evening premier, not morning, so plan on sticking around until ten at least. This is their first pre-Christmas show, and if it goes poorly, it’ll be the last.”

“Are there guidelines for the booth arrangement?” Riley’s pulse sped up with the sneaking suspicion she was being set up to fail.

“Simone can fill you in on those details.” Claudia waved a dismissive hand in the air, and when Riley waited for further direction, she snapped, “What?”

Riley blinked several times. Are you for real? “You made such a big deal about the trade show, I figured there was much more to it. I feel like I have no information. What do I put up? What about accessories? What can I expect at the show? Is it okay to show buyers alternative clothing arrangements? Accessories?” She had a million questions, and by the pinched look on Claudia’s face, she knew she would walk away with all of them unanswered.

“Simone. Go see her.” Claudia spun on her heel and walked away.

Riley gritted her teeth and headed for Simone. Simone. Go see her. What am I? A dog? A child? Riley was by no means a wallflower, and if anyone back home had treated her that way, she’d have set them straight, but she couldn’t afford to piss off Claudia. She needed to learn the ranks. Learn the ranks. Riley stopped in her tracks. Maybe she’d been playing Claudia all wrong, acting strong, taking direction without question. She’d seen women like Claudia before. Claudia needed to be the queen bee, and luckily for Riley, she didn’t mind being the unwanted stepsister. At least for now.

Instead of seeing Simone, she headed back to Claudia and approached her with a furrowed brow.

“What?”

“I know you said to see Simone, but I really want to learn from the best.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “And Josh says there’s no one better than you. I really wish you’d show me around a little. It’s obvious that you know exactly what needs to get done, and according to Josh, no one does it better than you.” She opened her eyes wide and covered her mouth. “Oh goodness, please don’t tell anyone I told you that. Josh probably didn’t mean for it to be public knowledge.” She bit her lower lip, then turned, fidgeted with her hands. “Never mind. I’m sure I’m overstepping my bounds.” Riley took a step away.

“Stop,” Claudia said.

Riley bit the insides of her cheeks to ensure a smile wouldn’t suddenly appear and give her ruse away.

“Josh told you that, did he?” Claudia held Riley’s gaze.

Riley hurried to her side, feigning a worried glance around the room, then whispered, “Yes, and so I just thought…well…that it would be best to learn directly from you. You obviously know what you’re doing.”

“Of course I do.” Claudia lifted her chin. She tapped her pen on the desk, then shot to her feet. “Okay, but I don’t have much time, so pay close attention.”

Riley followed Claudia into another room, this one stocked with banners, brochures, and various racks and displays. Claudia pulled a binder from a shelf and leafed through it.

“These are photos of our previous displays. Results from each show are noted behind the images. Obviously, the designs must change from show to show, and the setup needs to be fresh as well, but I use this and pull ideas from each to create something new. Whatever you do, do not ever duplicate a display. Buyers are smart, and they have great memories for details. You have to be on top of your game. Memorize every item we bring to the show as well as our stock on hand.”

“How can I possibly do that in two weeks?” Riley asked.

“You’ll have to study the line sheets day and night until then. All of them. I always make sure to read through the tech packs, too, so I know what stitch is used on each garment.”

Of course you do. “Oh, you are so smart. Okay, I’ll do my best.”

“Your best?” Claudia turned stern eyes on her. “You cannot do your best. You have to be perfect. There’s no room for flustered newbies at the trade shows.”

Then why am I going? “Of course. I won’t let you down. I’ll stay late and study them.”

“Why don’t you take them home tonight? I always find it easier to concentrate at home,” Claudia offered.

“Really? I’m allowed to take them out of the office? I figured this stuff was proprietary.”

“Oh, don’t worry. If I say it’s okay, it’s okay.” Claudia smiled and touched Riley’s shoulder.

Riley tried not to bristle against her touch. “Thanks, Claudia. I really appreciate your help. I won’t let you down.” Why hadn’t she thought of being a kiss up before today? Worked like a charm. Unless…Was this a setup of some sort? Was she going to get in trouble for taking them out of the office? She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach and tried to will it away.

Riley studied the books for the next two hours, taking copious notes of the details she’d need to remember. As she headed back to her desk to review the line sheets, she saw Josh coming toward her, Mia by his side.

“Hey, Riley. How’s it going?” Mia asked with a wide smile.

“Great. I’m really excited about the trade show.” She tried not to make eye contact with Josh, but she felt his alluring eyes on her, drawing her in, and she couldn’t remain evasive. She lifted her eyes. Oh great, now I want to kiss him. “Good morning, Josh.”

He smiled, and she felt a rush of excitement all the way to her toes.

“Riley,” he said easily. “Have you found Claudia unusually wicked today?”

“Wicked? No. In fact, she’s been nothing but pleasant today. It’s been a nice surprise.” And a shocking one. I don’t trust her.

Mia’s eyes darted between the two of them, and Riley realized she was staring at Josh with a girl-crush smile on her lips. “I’ve got to get to work,” she said and rushed past them. Mia’s voice hung in the air behind her.

“A little skittish today?” Mia asked.

Riley slowed her pace to catch Josh’s response.

“Aren’t all new employees?” he answered.

Thank you, Lord. She breathed a sigh of relief. Back at her desk, she sat down with the line sheets spread out before her for the Bliss line as well as the previous two seasons. She opened her desk drawer and reached for a pencil without looking. Something pricked her finger. She brought her bloody finger to her mouth and looked around before glancing in her desk. Damn it. She wished she knew what Claudia was up to now. She did flip on the nice switch awfully quick. Riley wanted to believe that Claudia was just being nice after her suck-up act, but could she change her tune that fast—or at all? If she’s playing a prank after being so nice, I’ll— She looked into the drawer, then quickly rolled her chair to block the view from her officemates. She reached into the drawer and withdrew an orange rose. Josh. Her heart skipped a beat. She opened her purse and stuck the flower inside. As she was closing her purse, she found a note. She hid it in her fist and headed to the ladies’ room. She wasn’t going to be caught blushing at her desk.

After locking herself in a stall, she opened the note.





Beautiful Riley, please forgive me, but I have a conference call tonight. Can we move our date to 8? Can’t wait to see you. I’ll pick you up at Savannah’s. Wear something scruffy. Yes, scruffy, not nice, not designer, not pretty.

—J