Randi pursed her lips. “To tell you the truth, I feel Rhett is too close to his family. For one thing, he should cut the apron strings from his mother. He’s a grown man, for goodness’ sake.”
Rhett chuckled. Nadine would explode with that comment.
“His sister, Carreen, was his assistant but she’s dying of cancer now.”
“What?” Rhett jumped to his feet, anger pouring through him.
“Is it true Rhett is paying for Carreen’s cancer treatments?”
Randi cocked her head. “I suppose so. Rhett never shared anything about money with me. Ever. His other sister, the one in law school, is all about money. And the other sister—”
The reporter interrupted. “How many sisters does he have?”
“Just the three. Suellen is plain weird. Rhett pays off people all the time to get her out of scrapes.”
“Sounds like the Corrigans are the original dysfunctional family.”
Randi held up a hand. “I don’t want you to think I’m bitter, Carolyn. I did enjoy my time with Rhett. Even around his strange family.”
She batted her doe-like eyes and looked wistfully into the camera. “Rhett can be quite charming. He made me feel so special. Not that I was only beautiful but he recognized how smart I am. Despite this nasty breakup in the media, which is so immature on his part, I’ve learned to believe in myself.”
Randi smiled brightly. “I can do anything I want now. I feel empowered being out from under Rhett’s thumb. I know I can do better for myself than Rhett Corrigan.”
“If you saw him, Randi, what would you say to Rhett?”
She shrugged and smiled sweetly. “Absolutely nothing. My mama always said if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Rhett cursed as the reporter wrapped up the segment, hurling the remote across the room. Randi made him sound like an egocentric, penny-pinching jackass.
His cell rang. He snatched it up from the coffee table. It was Becky calling. “What?” he barked.
“Did you see that?”
“It’s all garbage. Surely, the media knows she’s playing them.” Rhett paused. “Don’t reply to a thing, Becky. No statement.”
“None? Come on, Rhett, the press has been hounding me for two days now. After Randi’s dog and pony show, it’ll be ten times worse.”
“I’m taking the high road. No reply, Becky. I won’t budge on this.”
She sighed. “As your PR person, I think you’re wrong, but I understand where you’re coming from.”
“I know you wouldn’t betray a confidence, but . . . have you heard from Cassie?”
“No and I wouldn’t tell you if I did. I like collecting my paycheck too much to choose sides in this fiasco.”
“I know about that girl loyalty thing. I have all those nutty sisters, you know.”
“Sure, you do.” Becky sighed. “I doubt I’ll hear from Cassie.”
“If you do, tell her to call me. Please.”
“Okay.”
Rhett hung up, frustrated and depressed. As much as Randi’s interview pissed him off, he expected the model to play the martyr. What really bothered him was Cassie vanishing. How could she have gotten under his skin so quickly in such a short time? Not seeing her the past couple of days had driven him crazy.
His cell rang. Ken’s number flashed on the caller ID.
“Hey, Ken.”
“You coming to the premiere, Corrigan?”
“No. It’s your night, buddy. I won’t pull the spotlight from you. It’s your first movie. Your big night. You don’t need the negative publicity I would generate by showing up on the red carpet.”
Ken laughed. “Hasn’t Irv told you that even bad publicity is good? Come on, man, get out of the house. Face those mongrels head on. Besides, I won’t take no for an answer. Actually, Melanie instructed me to tell you that no isn’t an option.”
“You’re scared of a five foot two woman, Cameron?”
“Damn straight I am. I do what I can to keep her happy. She ordered me to call you and figure out the time we’ll pick you up.”
He hesitated. “I won’t go with you in the limo. I'll go on my own. I promise.”
“Hmm. At least sit with us when you get there. We’ll be on the back row. I’ll save the end seat for you.”
“Okay. Deal.”
“Thanks. There’s an after party at Pomodoro. Promise you’ll come to that. It’s small. Only about eighteen, twenty people. Private room. No one will bother you.”
Rhett thought a moment and decided he needed to commit. Ken had been a good friend to him over the years and he wanted to help celebrate the start of his film career. “See you in a few hours.”