Friendship on Fire (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, Book 3) Contemporary Romance

by Melissa Foster

  “That’s not why.” Riley swung her arm around Jade as they entered the restaurant. “I missed you,” she said.

  “I missed you, too,” Jade said.

  They sat at a corner booth and ordered lunch, and then Jade folded her hands on the table. Her vibrant blue eyes burned a path to Riley.

  “What?” Riley asked.

  “Nothing,” Jade said.

  “Liar.”

  “Okay, I’m waiting for you to spill your guts. When I went online to get my email, I saw all the pictures of you and Josh and the whole awful story. You must be ready to die inside, Ri.” She reached across the table and took Riley’s hand in her own. “Don’t you want to talk about it?”

  Riley blinked away the rush of emotions that was becoming all too familiar. “It’s all so…wrong. I mean, one minute Josh and I are happy as can be, and the next minute, I’m being accused of stealing Max’s wedding dress design and I can’t prove it’s mine. It’s such bullshit. That woman is evil, truly evil.” Riley pursed her lips. “She’s…God, you know I don’t hate people easily, but she’s really awful, and she made moves on Josh, too.”

  Jade’s eyes opened wide. “No way.”

  “Way. And now all of my other original designs are gone, too. There’s no record of my drawing, and of course, no one ever saw me drawing at work. That’s what I get for trying to keep my extracurricular designing a secret, I guess.”

  The food came, and Riley pushed her salad away. She couldn’t eat if she had a gun to her head.

  “What about the faxes you sent me?” Jade asked. “That has to prove something.”

  “Josh said that won’t prove they were my original designs. I don’t know…I’ve been thinking about it the whole way home. I’m not sure I should go back. I mean, look at what Josh is being dragged through, and it’s all because of me. He was this well-respected, successful designer, at the top of his game, and suddenly I waltz in and he’s being seen as a man who’s sleeping with the enemy.” Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Riley turned away, swiping at them.

  Jade grabbed her hand across the table. “Riley, honey, you’re not the enemy.”

  “I know,” Riley cried. “Damned tears.” She wiped her eyes with a napkin. “I just feel like I want to hide in a cave. I don’t ever want to go back.”

  “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” Jade said.

  Riley remained silent. She needed Jade’s support. She needed to know she could come home and stay home if she wanted to.

  “Cruella can have your drawings. Hell, she can even have your man, for that matter. Really, Ri, why do you need Josh Braden anyway?” Jade took a bite of her baguette, her eyes never leaving Riley’s.

  “I know what you’re doing. You pushed me like that in New York. I’m not stupid, Jade.”

  “Are you sure? Because I know many women who would give their left arm to be loved the way Josh loves you,” Jade said.

  “How would you know?”

  “Rex told me that Treat said he’d never seen Josh fall for a woman at all, much less practically live with one. And Max said that Josh looked at you like Rex looks at me—and you know how Rexy looks at me.” She shrugged. “Small town and all that.”

  “They said that?” Riley knew how much Josh loved her. It showed in everything he did: the way he told her to look at him while they made love, his confession about not having women in his apartment, running all over creation to secretly be with her. Hell, who else would throw their career on the firing line to stand beside her? Then the memory of that awful night when she found him on the couch came searing back, and the hurt of the accusation came right along with it. She reached up and rubbed at the pain in the back of her neck.

  “Yes, of course,” Jade said.

  Riley wished the cave were really an option. It would be so much easier than weeding through her tangle of conflicting emotions.

  “Let me ask you something,” Riley said. “If you knew that you didn’t deserve something, but that if Rex stood up for you it could hurt him, would you let him do it? Or would you extricate yourself from the situation so he wouldn’t have to deal with it?”

  “Hasn’t he already?” Jade answered. “We’ve both gone up against our parents at the risk of losing them. That was very painful for all of us. It might not have been Yahoo! News painful, but it was every bit as emotionally disabling.”

  “I guess.” Riley sighed.

  Riley’s phone vibrated, and she ignored it. She’d seen a message from Josh while she was waiting for the plane to take off, and she’d been too conflicted to respond.

  “I’m so afraid of hurting him,” she admitted to Jade, ignoring her phone’s incessant vibrations.

  “Riley?”

  “What?”

  Jade nodded toward Riley’s purse. “I know what you’re doing. You can’t just ignore him. Relationships don’t work that way, and you’re not that kind of woman. You’re a communicator.”

  Riley sighed. “I’m just not ready to talk to him. I can’t help but feel like I’ve hurt him, and when he first told me what was going on, I swear I hated the look of pity in his eyes. It was like he loved me, but he wasn’t sure if he quite believed me at the time, and he felt sorry for me.”

  “So tell him that. That’s what you would tell me to do. Pick up the damn phone and tell the man. He’s going to the ends of the earth to make sure you’re taken care of. It’s the least you can do.”

  Riley dug through her purse. “Sometimes I hate you when you’re right.”

  “I know. Luckily, we have a love-hate relationship that can survive any man problem,” Jade teased.

  She read the messages from Josh. She couldn’t deny the love she had for him. She texted back. I’m here safe and sound. Thank u 4 standing by me. Love you. Ri.

  Then she scrolled to a message from Mia and read it.

  Hang in there. Here if u need me. Xox. M.

  “Mia texted me.” She smiled and texted back. Thx. U r not mad at me for not telling u? I’m so sorry.

  “And?” Jade asked.

  Riley’s phone vibrated. Maybe a little hurt, but I get it. Don’t worry. We’re cool. Xox.

  “She’s supportive.” Relief swept through her. Thank you! Xox.

  She listened to Josh’s voicemail and then put her phone away.

  “Don’t you feel better?” Jade asked.

  Riley let out a sigh. “I do, and I’m glad Mia texted. I guess I’ve made a friend. Thank goodness, because it’s been weird not having any girlfriends.”

  “Hey, what about me?” Jade feigned a frown.

  “You’ll always be my best friend, but you’re here, and sometimes I need someone there, too. Thank you, Jade. I feel much better having read Josh’s text and hearing his message. He said he’s met with the PI, and he thinks we’re in good hands. Knowing how much he loves me does help.” If I could only remember that ten minutes from now.

  “Riley, this stuff will pass. It’ll all work out.”

  “But what if it doesn’t? What if we can’t clear my name? Josh hasn’t said anything, but can she sue me for my own designs? And by now the whole world has heard about it. What must Max think? Oh my God, poor Max. I’ve got to call her.”

  “She’s fine. I talked to her earlier today. She said Treat told her it was all lies.”

  “I can’t believe the way the Bradens go to bat for one another,” Riley said. “Before seven o’clock this morning, both Treat and Savannah had already called Josh.”

  “Let me tell you something. All that family loyalty stuff, it’s genuine. I see it on a daily basis with Rex, and not just for his family members. He’s just as loyal and protective of me and even my family, which I didn’t expect at all, given our family histories.”

  “Whatever their father did when he was raising them, he did well, I guess.” Riley remembered the conversation she’d had with Josh about how different he’d felt from his brothers. She didn’t think he was so different after all. He di
dn’t hesitate to go to bat for her once the initial shock had worn off. She picked up her phone and texted him again.

  Sorry for everything. Can’t wait 2 see u Wednesday. Miss u already.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  JOSH WALKED THROUGH JBD’s design studio remembering when Rex had first asked him about looking over Riley’s portfolio. Never in a million years would he have imagined that Riley was as talented as those sketches had proven her to be. Then again, he never would have imagined himself so in love with the woman he’d spent years crushing on. He assumed that once he’d left Weston, he’d never see her again. Now he stood beside her desk, and sadness slithered around his heart once again. How could she ever feel the same about New York—or JBD—or him, after this?

  He reached into his pocket to answer his ringing cell phone.

  “Hi, Dad.” He tried to muster a smile.

  “Son.” His father’s deep voice stirred the emotions he’d been holding back all morning, causing a fissure in his iron facade. “I hear you’re comin’ home Wednesday. That right?”

  Hal Braden had a special bond with each of his children, and he handled each one different from the next. He didn’t pressure them to visit, and he didn’t pressure them to do much of anything in particular, but he was the one his children turned to when they were considering life-altering decisions, and at that moment, Josh couldn’t have wished for a better ear to bend.

  “Yes. Wednesday.” He hesitated in spilling his guts to his father, though the little boy in him screamed, Dad, tell me what to do. Please tell me. Hal Braden didn’t believe in computers and didn’t really understand the enormity of the press. Josh hoped his brothers and Savannah wouldn’t worry their father with his issues, although by now, he was sure the Weston grapevine was buzzing. He bided his time, waiting to see if his father brought it up.

  “Good. You talk to Dane lately?” he asked.

  “Not in a while, why?”

  “Just thought you might want to. I get a feelin’ he’s in need of a little time with his family. He’s coming home for Christmas, but he could probably do with a call if you can fit it in.” He heard the worry in his father’s slow drawl.

  Josh furrowed his brow and sat down in Riley’s chair. “Dad, is something wrong?”

  His father sighed. “No, not wrong. I just got a feelin’ about him, much like I’ve got one about you.”

  Josh and his siblings were used to hearing about their father’s feelings, or rather, worries that their father claimed came to him through their dead mother. Josh wasn’t sure if this was one of those times, but he’d call Dane and make sure he was okay.

  “What do you mean about me?” Josh asked, knowing exactly what his father meant. He leaned back in the chair and stretched his legs.

  “I hear Riley’s back in town,” his father said. “And a little bird tells me she’s run into a hell of a time out there in the big city.”

  Josh righted the chair, needing the stability beneath him. “I’m handling it.”

  “I’m sure you are. Son, I also hear that you and Riley are together. That right?”

  Josh had hoped to tell his father in person, to see his eyes and read his expression when he told him, but he’d never lie to him. “Yes, sir. We are.”

  “Well, then, you make sure you nip this crap in the bud. Don’t let those highfalutin city folk shame our good name, you hear?”

  If only it were that easy. “Dad?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m standing behind Riley on this, and my gut tells me I’m right, but what if…?” He couldn’t force the words to come. They made him weak, selfish, and saying them out loud again felt akin to disrespecting Riley.

  “What if she’s not the woman you believe her to be?” His father cleared his throat. “Son, there’s no easy way around that question, and I can’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, but I can tell you what your mother would have said in this very situation.”

  “Please.” Josh heard the urgency is in own voice.

  “Your mama was a heart-driven woman, but she was the smartest damned woman I ever met. Stubborn, too. Once her heart made a decision, she’d chew on it for a bit, mull over the ins and outs of the sanity of it, and she’d come away with a big smack-eatin’ grin and she’d have her answer. She’d look me in the eye and say, ‘This one just might bite me in the arse, but damn it to hell, my heart cannot survive without it.’ Ask yourself, son. Can your heart live without her? Once you figure that out, you’ll have your answer.”

  Josh shook his head. “But Mom’s decisions wouldn’t tank her career.” Josh clenched his fists and he had to force them to relax.

  “Don’t you go down that line with me, Josh Braden.” His father’s stern tone caught him off guard. Before Josh could answer, his father continued. “Your mother’s life was every bit as important as yours. Her career was her family, this ranch, me, you, and every one of your siblings. When she made decisions, she had seven other people’s lives relying on it. She held your life in her hands.”

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m just confused. I’ve worked hard to get where I am.”

  “Yes, you have, and your mother worked her ass off to get our family to be who we are. You think that was easy? You think it didn’t come with her own understanding that one screwup could turn the Braden name into a laughingstock? Hell, in this small town, one wrong move could shut down a ranch. Josh, I’m not angry at you, but damn it son, gain a bit of perspective. People matter. Family matters. The rest of that bullshit—fame, cars, high-rise apartments—it’ll all mean nothing without a full heart.”

  AFTER THE ABRUPTNESS of his father’s words sank in, Josh took one final look at Riley’s desk, then headed into the security room to check on Reggie.

  “How’s it going?” Josh asked.

  Reggie stopped the video he was watching and leaned his large body back in the chair, crossing his right ankle over his left knee. Then he clasped his hands behind his head. A wide grin spread across his lips.

  “Well, if the videos I’ve watched are any indication of what’s to come, I’d say your hunch is right, and we’ll probably come up with something soon.”

  “Really? What have you found?” Hope swelled in his chest.

  “Not much. Just little things. Body language, the way Claudia watches the others like a hawk.” He shrugged. “Could be that she’s just a nosy woman, but I’ve got a feeling there’s more to it. She’s really focused on Riley. Lookie here.” He rewound the video and pressed play.

  Josh watched Claudia eyeing Riley as she walked away, her eyes running up and down the length of Riley’s body. She narrowed her eyes, and a sneer curled her thin lips.

  Reggie turned it off again and sat back. “Might be nothing, but I’ve seen women look that way before, and trust me, it’s never a good thing.”

  “You must really have a solid grip on people by now, huh?” Josh asked. “What’s your take on Riley?”

  “With all due respect, Josh, until we have a definite answer, I think I’ll reserve my right to pass judgment.”

  Pass judgment? On Riley? That flash of anger that had surprised Josh over the last few days rose within him again. He crossed his arms to keep it reined in. Did he think Riley was up to no good? Did he see something in her Josh did not?

  “Don’t get yourself all riled up,” Reggie said. “She’s your other half at the moment. I don’t want to say anything until I’m certain.”

  At the moment? “Okay, fair enough,” Josh said.

  “I’d like to work through the evening if you don’t mind, since the holiday’s coming up so fast. I’ve got their passwords to get into their files. You can leave me here if you have plans. Is there a security guard who can lock up?”

  Josh scrubbed his face with his hand. “I’ll stick around.”

  “Suit yourself. Oh, and your sister said to tell you not even to think about not coming home on Wednesday.” Reggie turned back to the computer.

  “Oh, I pla
n on it, unless this mess explodes in our faces.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  DANE ANSWERED THE phone on the fourth ring, just as Josh was about to hang up.

  “Josh! How’s my little brother?” Even though there were five years between them, and as adults, Josh stood eye to eye to his six-foot-three brother, Dane never failed to throw “little” at him as often as he could.

  “Hanging in there. How about you? Where are you?” Josh asked.

  “Heading home, actually. Making my way to the airport now.”

  “Dad said I should check in with you. Anything going on that I should know about?” Josh clicked on his computer and opened his email.

  “Dad.” Dane laughed. “How does that old man always know when something’s up? There’s no great shakes happening in my life.”

  Josh noted an emptiness in Dane’s response. “You sure? What am I hearing in your voice?"

  “Shit, Josh. Nothing, really.” Dane blew out a loud breath. “Nothing like the shit that’s going on in yours, thank God.” He laughed again.

  “Great. Take pleasure in my pain. That’s a supportive brother for you.”

  “Hell, it makes me realize how lucky I have it. No ties that bind.”

  Josh heard another twinge of something…loneliness maybe, in Dane’s voice. “You sure there’s nothing you want to talk about?”

  “Not at this juncture, but it’s good to know you’re there. I appreciate it. Anything I can do to ease your situation?” Dane asked. “I feel for Riley. I mean it’s hard enough going from Weston to New York. A whole new world. And the poor thing is attacked by the wolves. You don’t think she did it, do you?”

  Josh hated the voice running through his head, I don’t think so, but how can I be sure? “You know Riley. You think she’d ever do something like that? Jeopardize a career she just began?” The words felt wrong tumbling from his lips.

  “Or her relationship with the boss?” Dane tossed in.

  “Right, there is that.”

  “No, I don’t, but we never really know someone until the shit comes up the pipes, right?” Dane said something to someone in the background. “I gotta go. My flight’s boarding. See you at home. Love ya, bro.”