as she knew it was officially over.
“Rhett and Randi are not breaking up,” she said a little too loudly, hoping to repair the mess Jolene had created. “Jo doesn’t like Randi very much. She just wishes they would end their relationship. Jo hates having to share Rhett’s pool with a Playboy model.”
“They aren’t?” Melanie frowned. “But Jo . . .” Her voice trailed off as the sudden realization hit her. Without missing a beat, Melanie added, “Too bad. There are a lot of women that would leap at the chance to be with Rhett Corrigan.”
Jolene’s mouth opened and Cassie glared at her, still wondering how her friend had come to learn—and spread—such devastating news. Jolene knew she’d made a huge mistake and cringed like a kicked puppy.
She grabbed Cassie’s hand and whispered, “I’m so sorry, Cass. I heard you on the phone last night with Carreen and I—”
“Let’s buy your dress, Cassie,” Melanie said loudly, pushing Cassie back into her dressing room. “Go ahead and change and we’ll grab lunch afterward.”
As Cassie emerged and walked up to check out, every eye in the store followed her. She spotted two women talking animatedly on cell phones, watching her every step. One woman’s catty smile almost did her in. Cassie heard a click and saw a woman had snapped her picture.
She placed the outfit on the counter and walked away. The situation was beyond damage control. Cassie Carroll, formerly known as Cinderella for all of five minutes, wouldn’t need a new outfit for Ken Cameron’s premiere.
Rhett would fire her—and he had every right to. She would never work in this town again. Cassie mentally composed her resignation letter as she walked out of Vanity, Jolene and Melanie hurrying to catch her.
CHAPTER 17
Cassie stormed into the gatehouse, Jolene trailing her. Apologies continued to spill from her friend’s mouth but they meant nothing. After riding home in silence, Cassie turned and lashed out.
“You know what this job means to me! You’ve totally blown it. Do you think a private man like Rhett Corrigan likes having his dirty laundry aired in public?”
Cassie slammed her purse onto the breakfast bar. “The tabloids and TV shows and blogs have sources everywhere. That woman took my picture and forwarded it somewhere. I guarantee you it and the hot gossip that Rhett is dumping Randi is already splashed across the Internet. Can you imagine how furious he’ll be? Not to mention that Randi will be humiliated. How would you like to flip on the TV and hear about Breck breaking up with you?”
“Randi James will thrive on the publicity, Cass. And Rhett will forgive you. He’s about the nicest guy I’ve ever met. He won’t hold a grudge.”
Cassie stared at Jolene. “I can’t forgive you, Jo. Our friendship is over.” She swallowed hard as her throat threatened to close up with tears. “You better pack. I assure you that Rhett won’t forgive me, much less want either of us hanging around. Not to mention that any money I’ve managed to save will now be eaten up in attorney’s fees as he takes us to court.”
She hurried to her bedroom and slammed the door. TJ sat curled against the pillows. She lifted the orange tabby into her arms and buried her face in his silky fur as she sank onto the bed. Hot tears leaked out and Cassie no longer tried to hold them back.
The Hollywood dream was dead. She hadn’t had a lick of success as an actress or agent and would now lose her job as Rhett’s assistant. She’d never stand a chance of landing another assistant’s job.
Yet Cassie refused to crawl back to Waco with her tail tucked between her legs. Nothing waited for her back in Texas. Her tenuous relationship with her mom wasn’t a reason to return. Her mom cashed the check Cassie sent each month and had never offered a simple thanks, much less had a kind word to say on the few occasions Cassie called. So, where could she go? At least she had a little money in the bank now, thanks to the generous weekly salary Rhett paid. Of course, she didn’t have a car anymore. It had been hauled away for scrap. She didn’t have much in material possessions, either. Everything she owned would fit into a single suitcase. After her move to the gatehouse, she’d culled through all her things and gotten rid of most everything.
Cassie glanced around the bedroom, the nicest place she’d ever slept. After only a few