Page 67 of Rescuing Riley
Chapter Twenty-Five
Puffy clouds hungover the Pacific Ocean far in the distance. Liza and Riley sat on a couch swing on the back porch of the Redwood Cove Inn. One day had passed since Josh had saved them. If it weren’t for him, Liza and Riley might not be alive. Sure, the federal agents were waiting for the right moment to storm out of the offices, but Bart had been a second away from using his gun on Riley or Liza or both of them. Plus, Josh had had the fortitude to alert Agent Wallace despite Taylor following Liza’s orders not to bring in the cops.
Riley moved Liza’s long hair out of the way and laid her head on Liza’s shoulder. “I’m still mad at you. And I have a ton of questions.”
Agent Wallace had questioned Liza without anyone but other agents present.
“Let’s wait for my cousin. I know he’s chomping at the bit to ask me the same questions you have, and I would prefer to only answer them once, especially after being interrogated until four in the morning.”
Riley could do that. She didn’t blame Liza either. Having to relive the ordeal over and over again would’ve been maddening. Riley knew she would have to answer Ross’s questions, but he wouldn’t be as nice as Josh, especially when he saw her black eyes.
“While we wait, let’s talk about Leo. I’m sure Josh doesn’t want to hear about him.”
Liza tensed. “Nothing to say about Leo.”
Riley sat up. “He’s in love with you. The man confessed as much.”
She whipped her head at Riley, brown eyes full of despair. “He and I could never be. I don’t agree with his morals or what he and his family do for a living. I made a mistake in sleeping with him.”
“How come you never told me?”
Waves crashed on the shore.
Liza’s foot moved back and forth. “Would you have approved?”
“Whether I would have or not, I am your friend, and you know I don’t judge. I would’ve supported you no matter what.” Riley wouldn’t have approved, but love was a funny animal. She believed love found a person, not the other way around.
Liza patted Riley’s thigh. “Thank you. I do care for Leo, but not enough to live his lifestyle. So when are you leaving for Boston?”
Riley didn’t want to leave. She wanted to spend time with Liza and go on that date with Josh. Riley had told him she would, but the wedding she had next weekend required her to be in Boston. When Riley had called that morning, her assistant had said the bride-to-be wanted a refund if Riley didn’t show. Riley couldn’t say she blamed the young woman. Riley had promised that she would be there every step of the way. She also had the mayor’s daughter’s wedding coming up, and she had so much to do.
“Tomorrow.”
“Josh will be sad,” Liza said. “When I told him to take care of you, I didn’t mean to fall in love.” She giggled.
“He’s not in love with me.”
“Pfft. He is. I know my cousin. I have never seen him head over heels for someone. That kiss yesterday? That reunion between you two? Wow.”
Heat pinched Riley’s cheeks. “He certainly knows how to kiss.” She touched her lips. “I will be sad too. I promised him a date.”
“Oh, he’ll hold you to that promise.”
“Long-distance relationships don’t really work,” Riley said, more to herself.
“I’ll make sure this one does.” Out of nowhere, a tear slid down Liza’s cheek. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I put you in danger. That was never my intention.”
Riley reached over and grasped her best friend’s hand. “You didn’t force me to do anything. You didn’t even force Taylor. That woman admires you so much, although I had my doubts about her at first.”
“She’s a great person. Her father cut off her inheritance because she didn’t want to go to business school, and she wants nothing to do with her family’s winery or any of their businesses. She’s going to be a great fashion designer.”
“She’s also getting married. Right?”
“I think her relationship with her fiancé is strained because her father disowned her. So we’ll see.”
Riley had seen many couples break up midway through the wedding planning stages for many reasons.
Riley and Liza swung on the couch swing, the movement soothing. Riley could sit there all day, thinking, reading, working, and watching the ocean in all its glory. As the surfers paddled out to catch the next big wave, she had an idea.
