“We keep going back and forth. I mean, what are we supposed to do, make a general announcement? That seems weird, but not saying anything feels weird, too. What would you do?” Riley had been thinking about nothing else since she arrived at work at seven thirty that morning.
“I don’t know. It’s really none of anyone’s business. Why don’t you guys just live your lives without worrying about it, and when you’re at work, be professional because it’s the workplace, but don’t hide anything on purpose. Not at this point. That could only hurt your relationship in the long run.”
“Jade, I wish you were here.”
“No, you don’t. Then you wouldn’t be having all that crazy sex you’re having. Besides, you’ll be home soon and we’ll see each other then. I got the fax you sent me of Max’s dress this morning. You are amazing. I want you to design my wedding dress, if we ever get married. Oh, and I love, love, loved the last design you sent for me. I know you can’t make it before the holiday, so can you make it for Easter?”
Riley covered her eyes. What had she been thinking, promising to make an outfit for Jade for Christmas? She hadn’t been thinking at all. That was the problem. Her brain had been swimming in a river of love. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it. I have other dresses. I’ll just pick one of those. I was trying to make you feel needed,” she teased. “But it appears that Josh is doing a fine job of that on his own.”
“Ha-ha,” Riley said. “I’m really nervous. Josh wants to show the staff my design for Max’s dress today at the monthly meeting. He thinks it will solidify my design capabilities in their minds, to sort of ease Claudia into accepting my skills. He says my design skills surpass hers, and I guess he’s thinking of the future, if he moves me into a higher design position. God, that sounds weird. My skills, like I’m something special.”
“You are something special, Riley. Josh is a smart man. Follow his lead.”
“It’s just been such a whirlwind. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Can life really be this good?” Riley looked at her watch. She’d been in the ladies’ room too long. Claudia would give her the stink eye. “I gotta go. The meeting’s in a few minutes, and the trade show starts this afternoon, so I’m swamped.”
“No worries. I’m here when you need me.”
“Thanks, Jade. Wish me luck.”
“You’re made of luck. You don’t need it.”
Riley had never felt lucky a day in her life, until she and Josh reconnected. Now, as she prepared to face the entire staff—including Claudia—she wondered if luck would be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Four
RILEY SAT WITH her legs crossed in the packed conference room, her eyes darting from person to person. Simone and K.T. whispered among themselves. K.T. pointed to something on his tablet, and Simone let out a loud laugh. Clay scrolled through his cell phone messages, and Chantal tapped her pen on a black notebook that lay on the table. She had a pinched look on her face. Riley wondered how she must look to everyone else, with her right foot bouncing with nervous energy and her jaw clenched so tight her teeth hurt. She closed her eyes for just a second and reminded herself of what mattered: I’m educated, knowledgeable, and eager. I can do this. She opened her eyes and thought, Correction. I’m a skilled designer. I will do this.
Mia walked into the conference room in a long black skirt and white tuxedo shirt. Chunky black, white, and gold necklaces hung over her thin chest. Josh followed her into the room in the black Versace suit he’d dressed in earlier that morning. Riley knew he was wearing black boxer briefs beneath the finely made trousers. She could still feel the girth of him in her hands from when she’d teased him before he’d had a chance to pull those pants up. Riley felt heat rush up her neck and cheeks. Ice. Think of ice. But thinking of ice only made her think of ice cubes and all the dirty things she’d heard about people doing with them. I’m turning into a sex maniac. That thought brought a mischievous grin to her lips.
Josh touched the back of her chair as he walked behind her, and she gripped the portfolio she held in her lap tightly between her hands to keep from reaching back and touching his hand.
Once he moved to the head of the table and sat down, she let out the breath she’d been holding. It became more and more difficult to repress her feelings in front of her peers, and recently she’d found herself resenting the need to. Is it a need or a desire? She couldn’t think about that right now. She had to focus.
Mia went over the agenda for the meeting and the details for the New Year’s Eve party. Josh had told her about the annual JBD black-tie affair. Each year he made a speech, handed out bonus checks, and commended each employee for something they’d done well over the course of the year. Riley was sure the trade show would be a success, and she wondered if Josh would comment on her work at the New Year’s Eve party. It was a big event for the employees. A time for them to feel honored and appreciated. She was looking forward to it and had already begun leafing through the JBD closet for possible gowns to wear. Mia had been setting aside the items she thought might fit Riley. Since the samples were made for models, size six or eight was considered large. With Josh’s insatiable appetite for her, she felt just as sexy and appealing as she had when she’d left Weston—before stepping into the impossibly thin world of fashion design. In fact, she thought as she listened to Simone describe design elements she was struggling with, I’m proud of myself for not falling prey to the overly image consciousness of Manhattan. She cared about fashion—oh yes, more than she was willing to admit—but it did not define her. She was still the same Riley Banks that had left Weston so many weeks earlier. She still kicked back in her jeans and T-shirts. She still ate what she enjoyed and laughed louder than most men. Her confidence grew as she realized how far she’d come and how much more room there was to grow. By the time it was her turn to present, her frenetic pulse had calmed. She drew her shoulders back and held her head high.
Riley set her portfolio on the table. “My first trade show is this afternoon, and thanks to Claudia I’m fully prepared.” She shot a glance at Claudia, whose nose inched toward the ceiling. Riley didn’t like seeing Claudia gloat, but she had been the one to give Riley the information she needed in order to succeed with the show.
“The samples are ready and I’ve got everything Josh has ever designed memorized. Every stock number, every color, every stitch, and every piece of fabric. I think I’ve even memorized how many hours it took to make each piece. The show is allowing three designers premium space with substantial build out, and we’ve secured a spot, so we can’t fail. In fact”—she looked at her watch—“the booth should be erected by now.”
“Way to go, Riley. You’ll knock ’em dead,” Simone said.
“Thanks, Simone. As long as I knock their wallets loose, that’s all I need.” Riley avoided Josh’s eyes, which were locked on her with what must look like professional pride to everyone else, but Riley could still feel his hands around her waist, as they’d been earlier that morning, his cheek against hers, the smell of his cologne seeping into her pores, and his voice in her ear. I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait for the day to be over so I can make love to a woman with trade show experience. He’d made it sound so erotic. She cleared her throat in an effort to clear her mind and focused on sharing her design for Max’s dress.
“I’ve been working on designs for a beach wedding dress for a friend,” Riley began.
“Not just a friend, for the fiancée of one of America’s Most Eligible Bachelors,” Josh added.
Riley started at his admission. “Yes, that’s right.”
Claudia lowered her chin. “I haven’t heard about this. Who might that be?”
Her question sucked the confidence right out of Riley’s brain. She looked to Josh for direction.
“Who doesn’t matter at this juncture,” Josh responded. “Riley, please continue.”
Riley shot another look at Claudia, now sitting back with a narrowed gaze locked on her. Her pulse sped up again. She feigned a cough, trying to regain her composure. I can do this. I can do this.
Her hands trembled as she lifted the design sheets. She reached for the back of a chair to support her weakened knees as she placed the drawings on the display boards. Every breath she took echoed in her ears. She scanned the images she’d spent hours laboring over, scrutinizing them for fault, and as she took in the fine neckline, the unique, intricate designs of the bodice, and the simplicity and flow of the skirt, a bit of her confidence returned.
She faced the people she’d spent weeks working with and hoped for a positive reaction. She took a deep breath and began describing her process.
“The bride is very utilitarian. Comfort and ease of wear are her primary concerns. The wedding will take place in the summer, and she’s looking for a simple gown that doesn’t scream of her fiancé’s social stature, but rather whispers it with grace.” There was a collective, Mm, around the table. Pleased at the response and worried by the frown on Claudia’s face, she forced herself to continue.