Chapter Five
The city bustledwith business people scurrying up and down sidewalks, horns blowing, and delivery trucks double-parked. The atmosphere reminded Riley of home, which helped her lose some of the tension that had held her hostage since she’d arrived in Northern California.
Josh, Charlie, and she rode the elevator up to Stitches, Inc. on the fifteenth floor.
Josh held on to Charlie’s leash as Riley clutched her purse. The car ride over had been mainly Josh talking about all the landmarks to visit in and around Northern California, in particular Lake Tahoe.
“It’s too bad that you’re not staying longer than four days,” he’d said. “You would love Lake Tahoe. Liza’s parents and mine used to vacation there, mostly in the winter during ski season.”
Riley wasn’t a skier. She couldn’t even imagine herself with skis on, even though she didn’t live far from several well-known ski resorts in New England. Oceans were her love, not lakes. Summer was her season, not winter. She hated the bitter cold, the snow, and the long nights during the winter months.
She wouldn’t mind visiting Tahoe, and she got the feeling that Josh wanted to show her his childhood hangout.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to a shiny floor. An elaborate sign that read “Stitches, Inc.” with a pair of scissors was etched into the glass wall behind the reception desk straight ahead.
Josh held one side of the elevator, allowing Riley to walk out first. It had been a while since she’d been around a man who opened doors for her.
A lovely lady of about fifty with glasses perched on her nose talked into a headset. When she noticed them, she held up her finger.
Riley took inventory of her immediate surroundings. Two hallways traveled down both sides of reception with doors spaced every few feet or so apart. She imagined they were on the executive floor and the rest of the employees were somewhere below them. Liza had talked about the dressing room, as well as the drawing room where she spent most of her time.
“Are you sure Liza’s office is on this floor?” Riley whispered in Josh’s right ear. The place seemed dead.
His shoulder quivered. “I’ve only been here a couple of times.”
“Then where is everyone?”
Her question went unanswered as the receptionist asked, “How can I help you?” The gray streaks painted through her black hair glistened in the muted light.
“We’re here to see Liza Bandon,” Riley said.
“May I say who’s calling?” the receptionist asked. “And do you have an appointment?”
Josh leaned a muscled arm on the glass counter, which acted as a barrier between them and the receptionist. “Josh Bandon and Riley Lewis, and no appointment.”
The receptionist rose and eyed Charlie, then smiled. “I just love golden retrievers.”
Charlie sat on his haunches, prim and proper and well behaved, wagging his tail.
The receptionist waved her pink-painted fingernails to a small alcove near the elevators. “I’ll see if Liza is available. Please have a seat over there.”
Josh rested a hand on Riley’s lower back, and a jolt of electricity, delicious and out of the blue, sent tendrils of heat throughout her entire body. If his touch started a fire, his musky cologne was making her dizzy in a good way.
Four leather armchairs formed a circle in the alcove that was referred to as the waiting area. Josh waited for Riley to be seated before he commandeered the chair next to her.
Charlie nestled in between them as Josh fixed the purple bandana around the dog’s neck.
They didn’t have a chance to speak before a thin-as-a-rail blonde sashayed in, dressed as if she’d just stepped off the runway at a fashion show. Her pencil skirt, button-up white blouse, and red silk scarf complemented each other while accentuating her small curves. Her outfit screamed money and lots of it. Riley guessed the company paid their employees well.
The woman eyed Josh with big blue eyes that were framed with thick, mascaraed lashes. “Josh, so good to see you.”
Josh stood and pecked her cheek. “Taylor.” He glanced past her. “Where’s my cousin?”
Taylor’s red lips turned down. “I’m sorry to say she isn’t here.” Her gaze finally acknowledged Riley. “You must be Riley.”
Rising, Riley held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Taylor grasped Riley’s hand with both of her cold ones. “Liza has told me so much about you.”
