Friendship on Fire (17 page)

IT WAS THE week before Christmas and the week of the trade show. Days had passed in a flurry of preparations, and by the time Friday arrived, Riley felt like she’d sailed through the week on a cloud, so happy in her personal life that the business of the show preparation barely scratched her elated surface. The trade show was taking place Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday she and Josh would fly home together and spend their first Christmas as a couple in the homes of their parents.

She couldn’t imagine her life being any more perfect. The only hindrance was keeping their relationship a secret, and they’d become a bit lax with covering their tracks outside of the office. Jay usually picked up Riley and then swung back to pick up Josh, but on rare occasions, like today, when they were running late, they rode to work together.

“Do you worry about showing up together?” Riley asked. They’d spent

most of the previous weekend in bed, and when they weren’t in bed, they were christening one of the other rooms in his apartment. Marking each one with their lovemaking. Claiming each piece of furniture with intertwined bodies, breaking the formality of each piece with every loving caress, every ravenous kiss.

“After the weekend we just shared, nothing worries me,” Josh said.

She knew that wasn’t true. They’d both vacillated a hundred times about telling the staff of JBD about their relationship. It had become the most painful decision Riley had ever had to make, and she was still on the fence.

“Josh, I’m not kidding,” she said.

“Riley, we just spent days memorizing every curve of each other’s body. Over the past week we’ve had picnics on the living room floor, moved your stuff into my place.
Our
place. Let’s not bring the what ifs into our lives just yet. Can’t I just revel in this happy place for a while longer?” Josh stroked her cheek. “I feel like we’re finally having a seminormal life, babe. I’ve never kept pictures of women in my apartment. And now we’ve got that picture of us in our Mets hats from last weekend on the mantel and another in the bedroom. I love how our lives are coming together. I don’t want to think about how arriving at work might rock the boat.”

They’d taken the picture in Central Park the previous Sunday evening, wearing their sweats and Mets caps. Josh had held the camera at arm’s length and they’d smiled like fools. She loved that picture, but she loved the one in the bedroom even more. An eight-by-ten framed photograph of the two of them, their heads angled toward each other on their pillows, fluffy white sheets surrounding their sexually sated faces as they gazed happily into his iPhone camera.

She looked out the window, thinking about how the work week had flown by, with days spent trying not to let their raging hormones give them away and working late into the evenings until they were sure the other employees had gone, then making out like kids on the couch in Josh’s office. As much as she wanted to enjoy the last few days, she felt haunted by their secrecy, and at the same time, afraid to expose it.

Josh cupped her cheek and drew her eyes to his. “I love seeing your perfume bottle beside my cologne in the bathroom. And I love that even though we have two sinks, our toothbrushes hang side by side. I care about all of the rest—I really do—but all I want is to not think about it right now, okay?”

How could she ask for anything more? 

WHEN THEY ARRIVED at the office together, no one seemed to notice, and for that Riley was thankful…sort of. She was about ready to just tell everyone they were together and throw caution to the wind, but Claudia had been more pleasant to deal with lately, and from what Josh had told her, Claudia’s efforts were paying off.
She’s giving you some fierce design competition
, he’d said. She was happy for Claudia. She understood being competitive, even if she didn’t think Claudia handled things in the most appropriate manner. If she could progress on her own merits, then she deserved to, and that’s what she’d told Josh. Everyone deserved a chance. The only chance Claudia wasn’t going to get was a chance with Josh. He was one hundred percent Riley’s.

“It’s like a fairy tale come true, Jade.” Riley paced the ladies’ room floor Friday afternoon. “We couldn’t be happier in our personal life, and I must be doing a good job at work, because he gave me a key to the office last week so I no longer have to ask someone to be there when I want to work after hours or on the weekends.”

“So we’ll be sisters-in-law one day? Awesome,” Jade said.

“I don’t know about all that, but…” Every time Riley thought of how close she and Josh had become and she began to think of a future together, she made herself stop. She didn’t want to jinx their relationship.

“Girl, you’ve got it bad. No details, please. If Josh is going to be my brother-in-law one day then I probably shouldn’t know all those things.” She laughed. “What did you decide about work?”

Riley’s nerves were wound so tight around the office that she was sure everyone could see the love she had for Josh dripping from her pores. When she and Josh were in the same room she avoided looking at him, and when Claudia was around, it took all her determination to keep her girlfriend instincts in check.

The night they’d had dinner with Max and Treat, they’d discussed no longer hiding their relationship, but somehow hiding felt safer. It had become a habit that she didn’t quite know how—or if—she should break, and the conflicting feelings were tearing her up inside.

“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.

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.

“I opted for a spaghetti strap and a modified sweetheart neckline to draw the eyes up.”

K.T. nodded. Riley’s eyes drew back to Claudia, whose frown had turned to a devious smirk, the left side of her mouth curved up. She leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, and leaned her right arm on the table.

Riley shot a glance at Josh, hoping to draw strength from him. He nodded just enough for her to see but not enough for anyone else to notice. Mia’s eyes were wide. She nodded, then flashed a thumbs-up, encouraging Riley to continue.

She took another deep breath, drew her rounded shoulders back again, and went on to describe the materials she’d use for the dress, the lack of a long, bustling train, and the intricate and delicate embellishments. There were many questions about the printed designs, which she answered with confidence, and by the time she was done, Josh was beaming across the table at her, and the others were murmuring among themselves, with the exception of Claudia, who remained in the same position she’d been in when Riley had begun describing the dress. And with the same evil smirk on her lips.