would be wearing but Cassie realized that Melanie would face much more scrutiny being the star’s wife. She might actually need to wear a name designer, unlike others attending.
Flipping through another rack near the back, she found a pearl gray pantsuit. Glancing at the price tag, it was almost doable. If she paid half and Rhett kicked in the rest, Cassie would only have to eat peanut butter sandwiches for about three months to be able to purchase the set.
She found another few items, but looking at their cost, she was ready to hang everything back on the rack and give up. She did find a black camisole that would be nice under the pantsuit and picked it up.
Jolene came over with an armload of clothes. She held up her right arm. “These are for you to try on. There’s a little black number in here that’s to die for. The other side is for me. Ooh, I like that pantsuit. That color would look good on you.”
Cassie followed Jolene to the dressing rooms. Most of what Jolene chose for her cost an arm and both legs, with maybe a spleen and her kidneys thrown in, so Cassie didn’t bother to try on those outfits. She did slip on a navy sheath that qualified as a maybe before she put on the pantsuit. Cassie eyed herself in the mirror.
The fit was superb but she couldn’t justify the price. Slipping it off, she hung it back on the hanger and picked up the black dress Jolene had raved about. Cassie stepped into it and zipped it up.
Magically, the Cinderella transformation occurred. Cassie didn’t know what had happened but she knew she had to have this dress, price be damned. She began rationalizing in her mind, thinking every woman needed the right little black dress that could be worn anywhere. Dressed up or down, the outfit made Cassie feel like a star in her own right. It put every curve in the right place and showed enough cleavage and leg to make her feel very, very sexy.
Jolene knocked and opened the door. “What do you think about . . . holy water, Batman! That’s the dress, Cass. I knew it when I picked it out. You look divine.”
Melanie opened her door. “Walk out, Cassie. Let me see how it moves on you.”
She stepped out and did a walk and quick turn in the aisle.
Melanie beamed at her. “Jolene’s right. That dress looks like it was made for you. It’s perfect for Ken’s premiere and you could wear it anywhere else, dressed up or down. A classic like this never goes out of style.”
“You sure will turn the paparazzi’s head, Cass,” Jolene enthused. “You’ll replace Randi James and steal Rhett’s heart with a one-two punch. Get ready to make the cover of Us.”
Cassie was aware of the salesclerk hovering nearby sorting clothes and other occupied dressing rooms. She couldn’t let anyone leave with the impression she was Rhett’s new flavor of the month.
“Jo, you know I’m only accompanying Rhett because Randi’s out of town. For goodness’ sake, I’m his assistant. I pick up his dry cleaning and take notes at his meetings.”
Jolene laughed. “Wait until he sees you in this dress, Cass. You’re a knockout, even with the ponytail. If Rhett weren’t already planning to dump Randi’s ass, he’d decide to in a heartbeat after he caught sight of you.”
Cassie’s stomach dropped faster than if she rode a roller coaster. How on earth did Jolene know about the upcoming break-up? With a tongue made for gossip and no filter on her foul mouth, Cassie had made sure not to give Jolene a hint of what would come.
“Are you serious? Rhett’s going to end things with Randi? The story just broke that they were seeing each other.” Melanie sighed. “I’m actually glad to hear this. When Ken and I heard they were a couple, we were shocked. Randi’s prima donna act gets old fast. Other than boobs and legs and tons of peroxide, what does she have to offer? Of course, Ken tells me most men don’t care about personality or intelligence but I’d like to give Rhett more credit in the brains department.”
A wave of nausea rippled through Cassie. No one in that dressing room would have misunderstood Melanie’s words. To prove her right, two doors opened simultaneously. Both women emerged, eyeing Cassie up and down.
“Nice dress,” one hissed as she walked by.
Cassie wanted to crawl under a rock and die. Her life