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"Thank you." She resisted the urge to twitch at her dress. Carl had, while she showered and did her hair and makeup with the most exquisite care she'd used in a year, worked a genuine theatrical miracle. He'd rushed over to the theater department and liberated a costume which looked like a million bucks and had only cost a few thousand to construct, having been donated by some New Hollywood diva who'd needed a tax write-off. Je
"You wonderful idiot! If they'd caught you sneaking this out, they'd have thrown you out of college!"
"Yeah, but it'd be worth it, just looking at you in it." He ran his gaze appreciatively across her curves.
"Huh. This dress is a lot more glamorous than I am. Now, if I just had Aunt Cassie's nose, or cheekbones, or chin..."
"I like your nose and cheekbones and chin just the way they are. And if you don't scoot, you'll be late."
So Je
Then she spotted her aunt at a dim-lit corner table and swallowed hard, palms abruptly wet. Oh, God, she's got somebody with her and it's not her latest.
If this was family only... The only person it could be was a private detective. Cassie'd hired more than her share over the years. Je
"Hello, Je
Je
"Ms. Caddrick." Firm handclasp, no clue from the voice. Noah Armstrong's eyes were about as friendly as a rabid pit bull challenging all comers to a choice cut of steak.
Je
"Well, what a surprise, Cassie." She glanced around the elegant restaurant, surreptitiously tugging at her short skirt to be sure nothing untoward was showing, and realized with a start of surprise there were no reporters lurking. "Gawd. How'd you manage to ditch the press?"
Her aunt did not smile. Uh-oh.
"This was not an a
Worse, oh, man, she's go
"I see. Okay," she sighed, resigned to the worst, "let's have it."
Cassie's lips tightened briefly. The redness in her eyes told Je
"It's..." Cassie hesitated, glanced at Noah Armstrong, then sighed and met Je
Je
"Drink that wine," her aunt said brusquely. "You're going to need it."
Je
Je
Noah Armstrong glanced sharply into Je
Je
Armstrong's lips thi
Je
Je
Cassie said heavily, "You remember Alston Corliss?"
Je