Friendship on Fire (5 page)

PETER STAFFORD WAS a darkly handsome man, graying around the temples, with piercing blue eyes and copper skin. He stood when Riley and Josh arrived at the table. He was not quite as tall as Josh, but he looked very debonair in his dark suit and crisp white shirt.

“This is Riley Banks, our newest design assistant and a very talented future designer,” Josh said with a proud smile.

How many times will he make me blush?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stafford.” In the car on the way over, Riley had played Josh’s words over and over in her mind.
Let’s just go out and pretend we’re back in Weston, hanging out at the concert
. She hadn’t realized how much she’d begun to hope that the evening was a date until she’d heard him say those words. Why had he brought her flowers? Maybe it was a New York thing. But what about the kiss?

Mr. Stafford kissed the back of her hand in greeting. “Please, call me Peter.”

Well, that’s a kiss too, and he’s definitely not a date
.
It’s a New York thing,
she thought with a pang of disappointment.

They settled into their seats and ordered dinner. Riley was relieved when the waiter returned with a bottle of wine. She needed something to settle her nerves.

“Josh, how’s my favorite niece?” Peter asked.

Josh glanced at Riley, then looked back at Peter. “She’s well, Peter. Claudia’s doing just fine.”

Claudia? Peter’s niece?
Shitshitshit.
Riley tried to blink away the surprise from her eyes.

“Good. Glad to hear it,” Peter said.

Riley watched Josh reposition himself in his chair and spend an extraordinary amount of time refolding his napkin.
No wonder she still works there.

“She’s been with JBD for what, five, six years now?” Peter asked.

“Yes, that’s right,” Josh answered.

“Any movement toward full-fledged designer?” Peter asked.

Josh cleared his throat. “We’re working in that direction.” He sipped his wine, his eyes darting to Riley and back.

“Good,” Peter said, finishing his wine. “Everyone needs a break. I remember when I first dressed my girls in your line, Josh. That was a big risk, and I’m glad I took it,” he said.

Josh nodded. “It was a risk, and I appreciate your ability to see my potential.”

Peter poured himself another glass of wine. “Yes, well, you’re welcome.”

By the time the waiter brought their salads, they’d finished the bottle of wine.

Peter ordered a second bottle of wine, and when it arrived, he filled their glasses and made a toast.

“To our incredible industry,” he said.

Riley and Josh lifted their glasses to his, and as Riley sipped her wine, she noticed Peter staring at her. He arched a brow, and Riley looked away.

What the hell was that? Focus on your salad.
Riley fumbled with her napkin, and realized that she’d forgotten to Google which fork was the salad fork. For a moment, she froze—panic-stricken. Between Peter’s professional demeanor slipping toward flirtation and the news about Claudia, she could barely think, much less process silverware etiquette. She eyed Josh’s silverware, figured out which of his forks he’d picked up, and she used the same one.
Catastrophe averted.

 “Tell me, Riley, how did you land in New York with JBD?” Peter asked.

“It was happenstance.” She looked at Josh, not sure how to answer.
His brother referred me? I’m his brother’s girlfriend’s best friend?
They’d known each other growing up, but if she revealed that, wouldn’t Peter ask her why she hadn’t come to work for Josh sooner?

Josh came to her rescue. “Riley won two awards for her designs while she was in school, and when I was home visiting my family, I asked to see her portfolio.” He looked at Riley and smiled. “Her work was too good to pass up.”

How did he know how to say that so eloquently? She breathed a little easier. She’d have to remember to prepare for every possible scenario in the future.
Who am I kidding? This will be the last dinner with Josh’s business associates.

“Wonderful,” Peter said. “And tell me about yourself. Do you have hobbies?”

Why are you so focused on me?
She looked at his empty wineglass, silencing a groan.
Why do some men get tunnel vision when they drink?
Riley wasn’t prepared to answer personal questions. Peter filled her glass again, and she took another sip while she thought of an answer. As it trickled down her throat, she remembered Jade’s advice.
Be yourself.

“I don’t have many hobbies. I love people, horseback riding, and, well, designing. Back in Weston, I worked at Macy’s, which wasn’t glamorous or exciting, but it was fast paced and I enjoyed dealing with the customers. In my free time, I sketched designs, sometimes for hours on end.”

“Do you miss Weston?” Peter asked.

The way he watched her, hanging on her every breath, gave her pause. She might have had a few drinks, but now there was no question. She knew a flirtatious look when she saw it.

She shot a look at Josh, who was also watching her, and the pressure sent her pulse soaring. “I miss my friends, but I’m where I want to be. I’ve wanted to design forever, and now, being among Josh and his team, watching it all come to life, it’s like breathing new oxygen after being on a lung machine. It’s invigorating.”

“I assume Riley will be coming with you to the Bliss line meetings?” Peter asked Josh.

“We can arrange that,” Josh said.

Peter’s eyes darted between Josh and Riley. “Forgive me for asking, but I’m a pretty forthright guy.” He looked directly at Riley and asked, “Are you two…?”

Oh God. I’m dead. Are my feelings that transparent?

“No,” Riley said as fast as she was able. She shot another look at Josh and was surprised to see something that resembled hurt in his eyes. What had she done wrong?

Josh folded his napkin in his lap and took a drink of wine. She tried to catch his eye, but he was looking past Peter with a determined stare. She followed his gaze. He was staring at the back wall of the restaurant.
He’s avoiding me
.
Oh God, what have I done? I rattled on about Weston and Macy’s. I’ve embarrassed him
.

“Would you excuse me, please?” Riley stood, forcing a smile when both men stood as well. “I’m just going to run to the ladies’ room.”
And drown myself in the sink.

JOSH’S BLOOD BOILED. Peter was not a man who incited conflict, and Josh was not at all prepared for the feelings that surged forth when Peter had asked if he and Riley were an item. He was still weeding through the whole date-versus-business-dinner conversation he’d had with Riley.

Josh wasn’t known for giving up easily. He didn’t get to where he was in the fashion industry by rolling over and playing nice. He worked hard and he took chances—chances that had led to his success and that he’d become known for.

Once Riley was out of earshot, Josh sat up straight and addressed Peter. He felt indebted to Peter for helping him make a name for himself all those years ago, but employing Claudia was payment enough, and Peter had obviously had too much to drink, so Josh took a professional approach. “Peter, Riley and I are not an item, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t approach her in that manner.”

Peter sat back and crossed his legs. He lifted the left side of his mouth in a coy smile. “So you do have eyes for her? I knew I picked up on something. I apologize if I embarrassed you.”

Josh held his stare. “I’m not sure what I have for her, but I would appreciate it if you’d refrain from stepping in and making it more difficult for me to figure out.”

Peter leaned forward. “Message received. Childhood sweethearts reunited?”

I wish. That would be a lot easier to figure out
. “No. Crush perhaps, not sweethearts,” Josh admitted. He watched the direction Riley had gone in. The way his muscles tensed just having this discussion with Peter took him by surprise.

“If I might give you a bit of advice, Josh, getting involved with an employee can create a sticky situation. One you might not want to get tangled up in. That’s how scandals are made.”

Josh laughed. “I hardly think she’s the scandalous type.” He’d already gone down that line of thinking, and hell, he wasn’t sure of anything past knowing that when he saw her, when he touched her, even just their fingers brushing against one another sent something through him that he hadn’t felt in a very long time. When she was nervous, when she blushed, and tonight, when she practically ran from the table, he found her adorable and wanted to wrap his arms around her and kiss the smooth skin of her cheek. He’d enjoyed their time together in Weston, and damn it, that was enough for him to know that he wanted the chance to see if there was more to it. More to them. Even if she was his employee. He’d figure that part out later. Right now, he didn’t need Peter Stafford stepping in and wooing her, and he realized, he needed to find a way to let Riley know what he was feeling without scaring her off.

“They never appear to be the scandalous type until it’s too late.” Peter lifted his glass and looked down the bridge of his nose at Josh. “I have a new idea brewing that I want to talk to you about after the New Year. Let’s see how tonight goes.”

WHEN RILEY RETURNED to the table, Peter and Josh were discussing fashion. Relieved, Riley placed her napkin in her lap and listened, hoping to redeem herself with an intelligent comment of some sort. No longer hungry, she pushed the food around on her plate.

“I want class. Old-time class, not the typical New York cheesy trends. This means we stick to the more refined pieces of your Bliss line,” Peter said.

Uh-oh.

“I don’t believe any of the Bliss pieces are
cheesy
,” Josh retorted.

“No, no, they’re certainly not. I just meant to stick to the finer fabrics. Pencil skirts rather than flared, wool and silk, maybe a little leather. Something the older generation might take pride in wearing.” Peter lowered his chin and looked at Riley from a discerning angle. “Don’t you agree, Riley?”

Crap. Don’t put me in the middle.
Wishing she could pick up a knife and slice through the tension, clearing a friendly path, she took a deep breath and said, “Actually, I find all of Josh’s pieces refined, but I do understand the desire to attract a more mature audience.”
Supportive yet discerning
. She shot a look at Josh, who nodded, with an appreciative smile.

To a neighboring table, they probably looked like they were having a meaningful business meeting, but to Riley, who felt like a fly on the wall watching a silent game of one-upmanship, the exchange was unsettling.

“Riley, I’d be curious to see your designs. You don’t mind, do you, Josh?” Peter smiled, and behind the facade, Riley saw fierce competition in his eyes.

Josh lifted his drink like he was going to toast. “Go right ahead. She’s by far the most talented designer I’ve met in the past few months. She has a long career ahead of her.”

Ohmygodohmygod! I do?
Riley clutched her napkin in her lap to keep from jumping up and hugging him, and then she saw the way he sipped his drink, watching Peter above his glass. Was he using her as a playing card? Was he challenging Peter?
Oh God, what have I gotten myself into?

JOSH PAID FOR dinner, and when they stood to leave, he was quick to pull out Riley’s chair and put a possessive hand on her back.

“Peter, as always, it’s been a pleasure. Have your secretary call Mia and schedule a meeting,” Josh said with the most gracious smile he could muster while biting back his annoyance at the way Peter had tried to rile him and the way he’d reacted.

“I’m heading to Switzerland with my brother’s family for the holidays. I’ll schedule a time for after the New Year.” Peter kissed Riley’s cheek. “The pleasure was all mine.” He shook Josh’s hand. “I look forward to seeing this all come together.”

Josh heard the double entendre loud and clear. “So do I,” he said.

“Thank you for allowing me to join you for dinner. It was wonderful to meet you, and I’m honored to be included in the upcoming meetings,” Riley said.

IN THE CAR, Josh wrestled with the conversation he’d had with Peter. The intent of their date—that wasn’t a date at all in Riley’s eyes—was to welcome her to New York, show her a good time, and get to know her better, and he wasn’t going to let anything waylay his plans.

“That went well, don’t you think?” he said.

“Yes, he’s very nice.” Riley played with the edge of her purse. “So, Claudia is his niece?”

He’d almost forgotten that relationship had been revealed. “Yes. Peter helped me get started in the business years ago, and when Claudia graduated from college and needed a job…” He shrugged. “I’m a loyal guy. What can I say?”

“I guess that explains a few things. I sort of wondered how you guys got connected. She seems…different from the other employees,” Riley explained. Before he could respond, she said, “Josh, I’m really sorry if I embarrassed you with Peter. I didn’t mean to talk about Weston like I was some cowgirl hick. I’m mortified.”

“Is that what you think went on in there?” Josh couldn’t bear the way she stared at her hands and sat stiffly beside him. It was a beautiful evening, and he was determined not to let Peter’s comments ruin it. He reached over and lifted her chin until her eyes met his.

“Riley, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your personality sparkled. I love how much enthusiasm you have for life, for people, and of course, for designing.” Damn, he wanted to lean forward and kiss her luscious lips, tangle his fingers in her hair, and press her full body against him.

Her lips parted, but no words came. He watched the tip of her tongue move slowly over her lower lip and he felt himself staring. He shook his head to stop his brain from wondering how her lips would taste on his.

“Peter’s questions about us, and his intense interest in you, were his way of telling me that he was… interested.” There. He’d said it. At least part of the truth.

“In me?” Riley laughed. “Did you have too much wine? I’m nobody. He was just being nice. I’ll bet he treats all the women that way—and better.”

She looked away, and he drew her chin back once again, lowering his voice to what he hoped was an honest, meaningful tone. If she saw Peter as someone who treated women a certain way, surely she saw Josh as the same type of person. They weren’t so far removed in the industry, after all.

“Riley, I’ve known Peter since I began designing, and I can assure you that he does not treat all women that way. In fact, I have never seen him so forward with a woman that accompanied another man.” He waited for understanding to dawn on her. She glanced down, and when she looked up at him again, the green in her eyes caught the light, and a hint of that spark that he’d seen while she’d spoken of Weston returned, hidden behind a shroud of confusion.

“But…this was business, and surely he knew that,” she said. She shook her head. “It was business.”

“That’s what you tell me.” Josh smiled, but inside he cringed, knowing he was pushing the limits. She might not want anything more from him than a job.

“But I thought…you said just to pretend we were back home.” She clung to her purse.

“It’s not what I’d hoped for,” he admitted. “I saw how nervous you were, and I wanted you to be comfortable.”

“Not what you hoped for? You mean the flowers, the kiss—”

“I don’t ask women on dates very often, Riley. I’m out of practice, and stupid me, I thought yellow roses with red tips signified a growing attraction between friends.”

“They do?”

She sounded breathless. Josh felt a stirring in his groin, a constriction in his chest.

“They do.” He searched her eyes for an indication that she felt the magnetism that was drawing them together like metal to magnet. “Red alone is romantic love; yellow adds friendship, hopes, and promises.”

“Hopes,” Riley whispered.

“Red alone,” he said. “Maybe one day. Riley…”

She licked her lips again, and this time he let his body lead them. He took her face in his palms and kissed her softly, soaking in the sweet taste of wine on her tongue and the warmth of her mouth, and finally, the release of tension as she kissed him back—tentatively at first, then harder, meeting his passion with her own, probing his mouth with her tongue. Josh could have kissed her for hours. He forced himself to pull away for fear of taking things any further in the backseat of his company car. Damn, he had to gain control of his emotions.

They stared into each other’s eyes, the air between them sexually charged. Her breasts heaved with every breath. He longed to kiss her again, to touch the milky crest of her breast, which had been taunting him all night. Instead, he took her hand in his and fought his desires. He might not have dated for a long time, but he knew the risks of going too fast—and even if he hated to admit it, Peter had a point about scandals. He wasn’t worried about himself in that regard, but God only knew what kind of hell Claudia would put Riley through if she knew how Josh’s feelings were taking flight.

“Let’s go see New York,” he managed. He couldn’t erase the smile from his face if someone paid him to do it. His heart danced with renewed energy, and as he looked out the window, even the lights of the city seemed brighter.

“Jay,” he said to the driver. “Longacre Theatre please.”

“Yes, sir,” Jay said.

A nervous smile lingered on Riley’s face, worrying him. Had he misread her? Overstepped the boundary of their friendship?

“Do you regret our kiss?” he asked.

“Regret?” she asked. “No, definitely not.” She smiled and squeezed his hand.

He found her nervousness endearing and breathed a sigh of relief to know she didn’t regret the kiss he adored. For the first time in months, Josh felt like he had something to look forward to besides work. A country song came on the radio, and he reached for the rear controls to change the station.

“No, please. He’s my favorite,” Riley said.

“Who is it?”

“Hunter Hayes. ‘Wanted’ is my favorite song ever.”

“Wanted.” Hunter Hayes
. Josh made a mental note of her favorite artist.

“The city is so beautiful,” Riley said as she craned her neck, looking up at the illuminated signs as they passed. “This is so different from home. You know, I used to look at pictures of New York and think that I couldn’t wait to get there and experience it, and now that I’m here, I know that I never could have imagined what it would have done to me.” She turned back to Josh with a wide smile. “It’s like just being here pumps me with energy. I want to experience it all—the lights, the nights…” Her smile faded.

“What is it?” Josh asked.

Riley groaned. “Oh, nothing about tonight. I’m just a little afraid to take the subway, and I’m realizing that I really need to.”

He squeezed her hand, an idea taking hold. “We’ll see if we can take care of that.”

“How?” she asked.

“We’ll see.”

Riley turned back toward the window. “Look, there’s Tiffany’s.” She whipped her head around. “Oh my gosh. I sound like such a tourist. I’m so sorry.”

She was too damn cute. “Don’t be. I love it.”

As they neared the theater, his nerves became addled again. Paparazzi were known for stalking theaters and restaurants. Luckily, Jay was adept at evasion. He’d worked for Josh for five years, and in that time, had never let him down. He drove two blocks past the stone-faced theater and turned down a dark street.

Josh told Jay they’d walk home and opened Riley’s door for her.

“Didn’t we just pass the theater?” Riley asked as she stepped from the car.

“We’re just avoiding the media hounds. I don’t think you want to deal with Claudia seeing us on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow, do you?”

Her eyes grew wide. “Goodness, no.”

He couldn’t fight the urge any longer. He leaned in and kissed her quickly on the lips, wanting to do so much more. As he pulled away, she leaned in and deepened the kiss, telling him everything he needed to know.

“Come on,” he said, taking her hand in his. They hurried around the corner.

“Mr. Braden, what a pleasure to see you.” The older gentleman who greeted them inside the back entrance had thinning gray hair and wore a white dress shirt and gray slacks. “Ms. Banks, we hope you enjoy the show.”

Riley squeezed Josh’s hand. “Thank you,” she said.

When Josh made the arrangements for the tickets, he’d also prepared Frank Rimmel for their entrance. He could see by the light in Riley’s eyes that she felt as special as he had hoped she would. “Frank has run the doors here for twenty years. Thank you, Frank,” Josh said, and followed the concrete hallway through a maze that grew more magnificent with each step. They wound their way down a heavily traveled red carpet to center-stage seats.

Riley let go of Josh’s hand as she took her seat, and Josh felt the emptiness like a missing friend.
How could that happen so fast?

“This is so exciting. How did you get tickets so quickly?” Riley asked with wide eyes. She scanned the stage, the audience, and finally Josh. “Thank you for taking me here.”

“The show is called
First Date
. I thought it was appropriate, so I made a few phone calls,” Josh answered. He slid his hand into hers.

She looked at him with warmth in her eyes, and as she leaned toward him, he thought she might initiate a kiss. She whispered, “
First Date
? Really? You’re so thoughtful. This is incredible. It’s so majestic but so intimate at the same time. I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto,” she joked.

In the flash of her words, Josh was thrown back to the concert once again: comfortable and happy and full of wonder about the woman who had reentered his life without warning.

The musical comedy began, and Josh watched Riley more than he watched the show. Her laugh was loud and hearty and anything but feminine. She threw her head back with her mouth open and roared; tears of joy streamed from her eyes. Her enjoyment was infectious, and Josh found himself not curtailing his own laugh for the first time in years. He was so used to making sure he was projecting an appropriate image for a man of his status that he hadn’t realized how much of his life had been impacted by his career. Or perhaps
limited
was a better word.

By the time the show ended, Riley’s tears of laughter had washed away most of her makeup, revealing the natural beauty that lay beneath. Her high cheekbones shone pink, and her thick lashes set off the glow of yellows and greens in her hazel eyes. Josh felt a tug in his heart, the speed of which threw him for a loop.

As they headed for the front exit, Riley slowed her pace. “Shouldn’t we go out the back?”

He’d been so caught up in her that he’d almost forgotten. “The back will be swarming with people trying to get autographs. We’re better off going out the front with a bit of cover." The last thing he wanted was to let go of her hand, but if he had any hope of shielding her from the media, they had to exit separately. Chances were strong that there wouldn’t be any media out front. Photographers usually stalked the back entrance after the shows to take pictures of the actors.

The thought of anyone but Claudia seeing them holding hands didn’t bother Josh, but Claudia could make Riley’s life hell. “Riley, we should walk out like we’re not together. I’m really sorry, but just in case. It’s probably for the best. You can leave first, and I’ll follow. Go to your left and I’ll meet you around the corner.”