Cassie washed her hands and watched in the mirror as Jolene fiddled with her hair.
“I’m so glad you and Rhett worked everything out. Now, you can come back to the gatehouse and start work again. Everything will be normal, all in time for Christmas.”
Jolene tucked a stray lock behind her ear and faced Cassie. “Who knew Mr. Superstar wanted to jump your bones so badly? The looks he gave you during dinner? I’m surprised the tablecloth didn’t catch on fire. I think everybody here knows what you two will be doing tonight.” Jo grinned. “Or in the limo on the way home.”
Cassie blushed as she touched up her lipstick. “I will be back as your roomie, Jo, and I’m sure I’ll be working as Rhett’s assistant. The rest we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Jolene shook her head. “Oh, baby, it’ll go. Fast and furious the first time. Maybe slow and sensual the next. If you go round three, then—”
“Enough!” Cassie glanced into the mirror and saw her beet red reflection staring back. "Go find Breck. I’ve got to take a few deep breaths and pull myself together. In fact, tell Rhett I’ll meet him at the car.”
“No dessert? I heard it’s tiramisu, your favorite.” Jolene gave Cassie a knowing glance. “On second thought, I’m sure dessert is already planned. See you tomorrow, Cass.” Jolene hugged her. “Have fun.”
Cassie dampened a paper towel and held it to her face, trying not to smudge her makeup.
She was going home with Rhett tonight. Rhett Corrigan. Mr. Action Star, Mr. Bankable, Mr. Hollywood Heartbreaker. She, Cassie Carroll, would be in his bed within half an hour. The thought thrilled her and scared her at the same time. What if she wasn’t sexy enough? Experienced enough? What if he took one look at her naked and said, “Pass”, scarring her for life?
No, Rhett was attracted to who she was on the inside. She wasn’t some Hollywood fake. It was also a two-way street. Rhett wasn’t merely perfect to look at. His inner qualities are what attracted her to him. His kindness. His sense of humor. The way he placed such importance on family. He was much more than his looks alone. He must feel the same about her or else his kisses wouldn’t have packed such a wallop.
She picked up her clutch and left the restroom, feeling more confident than before. She would meet Rhett and begin what might be the best night of her life.
“Cassie?”
Zak Mercury stood in the narrow hallway leading back to the dining room. She hadn’t seen him at dinner but Jolene told her Zak was supposed to stop by after finishing a set at Bonkers.
“I heard all the press the past coupla days.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Sorry. Tough break,” he slurred. “I have good news. HBO picked up my special.”
She winced, smelling the whiskey on his breath. He must’ve guzzled half a bottle on his way to the restaurant. Still, he was a friend of Rhett’s and he’d been nice to her in the past.
“Congratulations, Zak. I’m sure you’re on your way to becoming their number one draw.”
“Hey, you’re outta job now,” he said, his voice loud enough to make her wince. “My offer’s still open. I could use an assistant.” His words started slurring more. “Things’re happenin’ fast. Scripts pourin’ in. Whad’ya say, Cassie? Wanna work for me?”
Two women came into the hallway and they squeezed by. The women went into the restroom before she answered.
“It’s a sweet offer, Zak, but I still work for Rhett.”
He looked puzzled. “Corrigan kept you on after that fiasco? Boy, you must be good at your job. And other things.”
Zak’s words and tone pissed Cassie off. She decided he was drunk and tried not to read anything into it.
“It was nice seeing you, Zak, but Rhett’s waiting for me. I need to—”
Zak blocked her as she tried to pass.
“Come on, Cassie. He’s just your boss. It’s not like you’re keeping a date waiting.” Zak’s eyes drilled into hers. “Or are you?”
Her mouth grew dry. She clutched her purse to her chest, trying to put some space between them.
“Zak, I really need to go.”
He didn’t move. “You’re screwing him, aren’t you? No wonder you were so quick to shoot me down. Who needs a tall, cute redhead when you can have Captain Hotshot?”
Cassie tried to take a step back but she had nowhere to go. Her heart drummed wildly as anger poured through her.
“You’re drunk and being stupid. Why don’t—”
He pressed against her, pushing her against the wall. “Let’s see if this changes your mind.”
Zak’s mouth covered hers, his tongue an invading army. Cassie fought for air as she tried to push him away, but even drunk, he was much stronger than his lanky frame indicated. She didn’t have enough room to knee him in the groin so she did the next best thing.
She smashed her high heel down and ground the point into his foot.
Zak broke the kiss, roaring an obscenity, as his body seemed to magically fly away from her. Then Cassie saw why.
Rhett had Zak by the collar. He slammed him into the wall face first. She heard the dull crunch and knew the comedian’s nose had broken.
The two women exited the restroom at that moment and one of them screamed. That started the other one screaming and their two-part harmonies could have shattered glass a block away.
Cassie watched in horror as Zak, his nose gushing blood, spun away from Rhett and then slugged him directly in the eye. Rhett’s head snapped back and hit the wall as Zak attacked Rhett’s ribs. Rhett roared something unintelligible and fought back, pummeling Zak, his blows striking Zak from his face to his stomach. Blood was everywhere.
The women kept up their symphony, drawing a crowd at the edge of the hallway. She heard Ken yell Rhett’s name, and then somehow Breck bullied his way through and pulled Rhett off. Zak lay still on the ground. Her eyes met Rhett’s. She ran the few feet between them and they clung together.
Then the flashes began. Cassie knew immediately that the paparazzi had somehow made their way in. Rhett turned them away from the intrusive cameras but the damage had been done.
“Call an ambulance,” Rhett hollered, trying to protect Cassie from the blinding light.
“Back off!” Breck shouted at the photographers. He stood and tried to block the scene from their lenses.
Rhett peeled off his jacket and slipped it under Zak’s head. As people pressed around them, he told Cassie, “He’s breathing. He’ll be all right. He’s got to be all right.”
Somehow, Breck came up with a few cloth napkins and Cassie mopped the blood from Zak’s face. He moaned.
“You’re fine, Zak,” she whispered. “The ambulance is on its way.”
His eyelids fluttered a few times and then opened. He glared at Rhett. “This piece of ass is worth our friendship, Hotshot?”
Rhett’s arm went instinctively around Cassie. “Pretty much, Zak.”
The comedian groaned. “Does this mean I can’t play poker with the gang anymore?”
Rhett frowned. “Not if you try treating Cassie like some two-bit whore in a back alley. And not if you continue to drink yourself into these stupid situations. It’s time you got help.”