down on the kitchen table. “It’s good to see you.”
“Come on in, Mimi. Did you find where to park? How is your suite?”
“Everything’s lovely, but my first priority is to explore this kitchen. I’m a bit like a kid in the candy store. I can’t wait to familiarize myself with everything.”
“Let me help you move your things in first. Then you can spend all day getting to know your kitchen.”
“Oh, you are a dear.”
“You have too much to do, Cass. I can help Mimi move in.”
Breck had entered the kitchen. He wore a satisfied look that screamed he’d had hot sex last night. She wondered if Jolene lurked behind the kitchen door, ready to make a mad dash back to the gatehouse.
Breck made his way over to Mimi. “Breck O’Dell, Ma’am. I’m at your service and intend to be your new best friend. Especially if you know your way around mashed potatoes or apple pie.”
Mimi blushed. “Cassie warned me you were a charmer. And please, it’s Mimi. Ma’am was my grandma.”
“A hungry charmer, Mimi. If I unload and bring in your stuff, would you consider—”
“You name it, Breck. Omelet. French toast. Pancakes.”
He broke out in a huge smile. “Then come on, Mimi. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“See you two later,” Cassie told them. “I’ve already eaten and have tons to do.”
Cassie went to her office, Shep trailing behind her, and decided to check e-mail first. As she did, the phone rang and Becky’s name popped up.
She answered, “Hi, Becky. I was about to call you.”
“Rhett is not returning my texts or calls. Did you know Rhett was involved with Randi James, Cassie? What is he thinking? Randi James makes the Wicked Witch who poisoned Snow White look like a candidate for sainthood. I thought Rhett had more sense than to let a tramp like that hitch her wagon to his star.”
Cassie’s gut flipped over. How had Becky learned about Randi and Rhett? “I’m clueless, Becky. What are you—”
“Have you seen Rhett today?”
“No.”
“Call up the People website.”
Cassie did as Becky asked. There in living color was Randi feeding a reluctant-looking Rhett bites of sushi. Then a few more shots of the two leaving the restaurant came up in the next frames. Rhett looked uncomfortable and wore a scowl. Randi wore next to nothing and glowed.
“They put it on their website yesterday and let me know just now that it’ll be their cover this week. I’ve got to talk to Rhett ASAP, before they go to press. He shut the door on me when I told him about the pictures but I think it’s important to give him a chance to clarify the relationship and remove any speculation for the article. Have him call me right away, Cassie. I need to issue a statement. Maybe a joint one. I wonder who reps Randi.”
“I’ll track him down, Becky. I guarantee he’ll call you right back.”
Cassie hung up, a sick feeling washing over her as she studied the pictures in front of her on the computer screen. Randi looked like a Christmas package gift-wrapped from Saks, shiny and sleek and utterly gorgeous. Cassie didn’t know a man alive who wouldn’t want to open that pretty package. If she had learned one thing in Hollywood, though, it was that looks are deceiving. After making Randal James’ acquaintance, Cassie knew what a vile woman resided within the model.
It still bothered her that Randi interested a man like Rhett.
Cassie punched the intercom, hoping Rhett might still be in the house.
He answered immediately. “What’s up?”
“You need to call Becky. Now.”
Rhett hesitated a moment. “I will. Soon.”
“I said now, Corrigan. It’s important and she’s frantic. Do it.”
“Are you my mom? That’s the only person who tries to boss me around these days.”
“Meet me in my office.” Cassie turned the intercom off and stewed. He would come, she knew, but he wouldn’t be in a good mood.
Thirty seconds later, Rhett appeared. Shep rose to greet him but Rhett ignored the dog. Cassie couldn’t read the look in his eyes and made the decision to go on offense.
“Call Becky. You’ll be on the cover of People this week. She needs a statement from you.”
“I’ll call her when I feel like it,” he snapped. “She’s my publicist and will do what I say. Besides, I hired her to keep my name out of the news. She’s fallen down on the job.”
Cassie bristled at his tone. “Don’t take out your problems on the hired help, Corrigan. We’re just doing our jobs.