Friendship on Fire(29)

Josh didn’t need or want time. He was damn 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 stately dining 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, surveying the 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 Max before 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. When he 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 to dealing 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 shit 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 closed his 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 ever felt 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 damned 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 doors opened, and Treat held the front door open for Max and Josh to pass through into the frigid morning air.

“Then what the hell 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 into the 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 she could 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 her waist, 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 the way 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…Goddamn 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 through her. 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. She swallowed, 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.”





Chapter Twenty-One


MOVING INTO TREAT’S apartment didn’t take very long with the help of Josh’s driver, Jay, but from the moment she walked into the Dakota, Riley felt completely out of her element. The enormous foyer swallowed her, and between the eleven-foot ceilings, expansive living room, dining room, library, and three large bedrooms, she knew she’d been given a handout at one thousand dollars a month, and it embarrassed her.

Josh took her through the maze of rooms, each one bigger than the previous one, passing furniture so rich and finely made that she was afraid to touch it. Do people really live this way?

She unpacked her meager belongings in the master bedroom outfitted for a king and queen. A four-poster bed that she needed a footstool to climb into graced the center of the room between two eight-foot windows. Cherry furniture with elaborate carvings that could only be handmade lined the walls. A mirror larger than her bedroom wall back home hung above the oversized dresser. It looked like it belonged in an upscale showroom.

She escaped to the kitchen, hoping to feel more comfortable away from the expensive woods and textures. She was not that lucky. Riley lowered herself onto a barstool in the enormous kitchen. She’d always imagined that living in a lavish home would be exciting. She not only felt out of place, but she felt downright lonely, even with Josh just down the hall in the ridiculously large master suite. She pushed to her feet and flew into his arms when he came looking for her.

“You okay?” He rubbed her back.

“I’ve just never stayed anywhere like this before. It’s huge. Why would he have such a huge place? I mean, even with Max, it seems really, really big. I thought he was so down-to-earth.” She snuggled into him, wishing she were back at Savannah’s.

“He is down-to-earth. Who he is isn’t linked to the homes he owns. That’s real estate, investments. Treat is the man you always thought he was. It’s a bit big. I’ll admit that. But don’t judge him based on his apartment.” He took a deep breath. “Riley, come with me.” He took her hand and led her out of Treat’s apartment, down the elevator, and into his own apartment.

“Where are we going? Don’t tell me he owns two of these monsters,” she said.

He withdrew the key from his jeans pocket and unlocked the door. “This is my home,” he said.