Friendship on Fire(22)

Riley walked in front of him, then turned around and stopped, forcing him to stop walking, too. She stood on her tippy-toes and kissed him. “Can I just say that I love how you think about me? There aren’t many men who would worry about a woman’s feelings as much as you do, and there aren’t many men who would want to take steps to protect them in a situation like this. Thank you.”

He pulled her to him and dipped her over his arm, lowering his mouth to hers and kissing her like she was a movie star on a stage.

“I can’t stop myself from thinking about you,” he said as he brought her upright once again. “I am worried about you having to deal with gossip or whatever our relationship might stir up. The last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable about us in public or at work.”

She put her head on his shoulder as they strolled by the water. “I don’t have an answer. Any way I look at it, it’s torturous. I guess I could quit working for you and try to get another job, but I know from experience that it won’t be in fashion design.”

He heard the regret in her voice. “That’s not even an option. Your design skills are superb. Maybe it was a mistake to have you learn the nitty-gritty of the business first. I should have brought you in as a designer.”

She squeezed his arm. “You think I’m that good?”

“I know you’re that good.”

“Then why couldn’t I get a job after college?”

“Probably because this business has more to do with who you know. There are hundreds of applicants for every position. Right out of school, probably none of the people reviewing your résumé even looked at your portfolio. I’m glad I did. You should have come to me years ago,” he said.

“You’re kidding, right? We avoided each other because of the family feud between your family and the Johnsons. Besides, I’d never dream of using our friendship like that,” she said.

He arched a brow at her.

“Rex brought it up, not me,” she explained.

Josh laughed. “I know that. I just love to see you get riled up. But I do wish you’d have come to me earlier. Think of all the time we’ve missed together.”

Riley stroked his arm.

Josh couldn’t stop wondering if they’d have an issue if Claudia didn’t exist. Would Simone or K.T. or any of the others feel like she slept her way to the top? The questions formed an endless circle in his mind.

“Well, like I said before, we should just keep things quiet,” Riley said. “Who knows? You might not even like me tomorrow.”

“You mention edible underwear and twenty minutes later you think I might not like you the next day? I am male. I’m still thinking about the edible underwear.”

“If you wear it, I’ll wear it,” she said.

“Now we’re talking.” He laughed, but he was still worried about what Treat had said. They did need a backup plan. At some point, something would come to light, whether by accident or on purpose, and they needed to be able to deal with it proactively, not reactively.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?” he asked.

“Studying line sheets for the trade show.”

“How about taking a break for dinner with me, Treat, and Max at your place? A double date.” The thought of being together as a couple in front of his family was a big step for Josh, and he felt his chest swell with joy.

“Really? What are they doing here? I’d love to see them.”

“Treat’s here on business, and I’m designing Max’s wedding dress. It’ll be fun. We’ll bring in food from anywhere you want.” They left the park and headed back toward her apartment.

“I can cook, you know. My mama did teach me that,” Riley said.

“Mm. You can cook and you’re beautiful? I’m a lucky guy.” There were fewer people on the street, making their walk back much quicker than their walk to the park. Josh slowed his pace, wanting to savor the normalcy of the evening. Being with Riley in the park reminded him of his high school years, when he’d watch her in the schoolyard with Jade, or walking around town with her girlfriends. His body remembered those stolen glances, too, and the rush of adrenaline that soared through him returned. He smiled at the memory, and when he looked at Riley, a peaceful smile on her lips as they strolled hand in hand, he wanted her to know that his feelings for her had started well before a few weeks ago.

“Riley, I’ve never admitted this to anyone, but I had a pretty bad crush on you in school.”

“No way. I had a wicked crush on you, too, but you were a Braden boy and way out of my league.”

“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard it my whole life. We’re just a family. We’re nothing special.” He’d always been proud of the Braden name, but he hadn’t been blind to their reputation. He and his siblings had been seen as the untouchable Bradens: too good-looking for just anyone to go out with and too wealthy to be treated like everyone else. It was the one aspect of being a Braden that had always bothered him. Luckily, as the years passed, people matured and some of that air had fallen way.

“You were the hottest guys in town, and Savannah? Jesus. She was like a model even in grade school, with that gorgeous auburn hair and her extroverted personality. I swear, I was so jealous of her confidence.”

“I remember you being pretty damn confident and definitely gorgeous. You and Jade were always together, and we had to avoid Jade, so I could never approach you, but there were times that I’d see you and Jade hovering close together, laughing about something, or in town shopping, and I was so drawn to you. I remember just watching you, wishing I could gather the courage to talk to you. And, God, this is embarrassing, but I remember thinking about you way too much after I’d seen you.”

“Yeah?” she asked as they climbed the steps to her apartment.

“Oh yeah. Way too much.”

“Well, that feud took a toll on all of us. Jade was lusting after Rex and I was always thinking about you,” Riley said. “Gosh, I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to cross that invisible line just to hang out with you at the fall festival or after school when everyone was just hanging around.”

“I think it just makes things sweeter for us, having all that time to dwell on our private thoughts about each other.”

“Fantasies?” she teased.

“I’ll never tell.” At the top of the stairs, Josh took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Ms. Banks.”

“Is this my kiss good night?” She draped her arms around his neck.

“I don’t want to push myself on you.” The lie turned his stomach. He wanted nothing more than to open the door and carry her into the bedroom and have his way with her, but he wanted—no, he needed—to give her time and space to think. They were moving fast, at least his heart was, and he wanted her to have time to process her feelings.

“Push. Please push.” She kissed him hungrily.

The hell with thinking space.





Chapter Seventeen


THE NEXT MORNING, Riley jumped up at the vibration of her cell phone. She wasn’t surprised to see that Josh was gone, but she was surprised at how natural it seemed for him to have spent the night again and for her to know he’d be back shortly after his run.

“I’m sorry. I should have called you last night,” she said to Jade.

“Damn right you should have,” Jade said with a smile in her tone. “I hope you have a good reason not to have called.”

“Too good.” Riley got out of bed and threw on a T-shirt. She went to the kitchen, and when there was no note on the counter and Josh’s gym bag was gone from the couch, she felt a stroke of panic shoot through her. “We’re still not telling anyone about us,” she said, distracted as she headed for the bathroom.

“What are you doing? You’re breathing really hard,” Jade asked.

“Walking into the bathroom.” She flicked the bathroom light on and nearly dropped the phone when she saw, Back soon. Don’t shower without me. Xo, J, written in lipstick on the mirror, surrounded by a big red heart.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hello?” Jade said.

“Sorry. I just woke up.”

“I hear you’re having company tonight. I wish I was gonna be there. It’s like we’re back in college again, in different states, catching up via phone all the time,” Jade said.

Riley missed seeing her best friend, but she wouldn’t trade a minute of her time with Josh for anything. Not even Jade. Josh. What was she going to do about him? He’d get sick of hiding out, and wouldn’t she, too? Didn’t she want a real relationship where they could be seen in public without wearing disguises?

“Hello?” Jade repeated.

“I’m sorry. I’m just distracted. I don’t know how you did this sneaking around stuff. I am always so worried. Even when I’m not thinking about it, I’m thinking about it.”

“I told you what to do. Just come clean and let Cruella deal with it,” Jade said.

“That’s easier said than done. She came on to Josh last night.”

“No!”

“Yes. He set her straight, but she’ll have a bigger reason to hate me when she finds out, and let’s be honest, it’s only been two days. Two days.”