Page 19 of Heavy Shot

Jill shook her head, fastening August’s preferred earrings. "No. I'll give you a hint." Her eyes twinkled and she thought for a moment then said, "Which handsome action star was out dancing with a winsome wordsmith? Rumor has it that this tea party transplant once shared building space with another of the mega-star's old flames."

August's eyes went wide. "He's dating Rhiannon? Our Rhiannon? How did that happen? I thought she had some taste."

"Hey!I resemble that remark! I think they’re sleeping together. I’m not sure if they are dating? She was very territorial.” Jill laughed. “She came out of the ladies looking like she was going to take my head off for talking to her man.”

“Rowr. Well, she isn’t a shrinking violet or a shady queen like you. She’ll say it to your face. Very up front, that one.”

“Shady queen?”

“Mean girl? You like that better?”

“Hey!”

“All I’m saying is that you’re passive-aggressive and she’s aggressive. And now we’ll get to see which of those Kline likes more.” His eyes glittered with mischief as he said it.

"Tsk! Don’t be mean!”

"But you dumped me for him," August sniffed. "Twice."

"You were too good for me," Jill said, swatting his shoulder. "Shopping. Come on and I'll tell you all about last night."

"Oh god, that's who he was with when you saw him out? Does she know about the two of you?"

"Only if he told her. You know I don’t kiss and tell. I never named names when it came to him."

August shook his head. "It will never last. Might be good to see him get a taste of his own medicine, actually."

"His wife left him, August.That's strong medicine right there.Don't wish ill on him. Bad juju."

"Juju my ass.”

Jill transferred the contents of her purse from the black Chanel she’d worn the day before, into a cream-colored Celine that matched her sandals, and pushed her Jackie O style sunglasses up on top of her head. “Are you driving, or are we taking a car?”

“I’m driving, Darling. This isn’t New York.”

New York or not, once they were inside the shops the atmosphere was universal. They started at Chanel and worked their way through Hermes and Louis Vuitton with August acting as the most expensive stylist in the world. Even with her budget for spending, Jill was starting to feel lightheaded by the time they came to Prada. She wasn’t even sure she liked what he was piling up for her, but he’d been in LA for five years, so she supposed he knew what he was doing. At the very least, he knew what looked good on her.

They were laughing together in a fitting room when August walked out ahead of her so she could come consider herself in the three-way mirror.

"I don’t know why you need to see it. Look at it in the mirror of my eyes, darling," he said, drawling out the soapy words. "Let me be the window to your soul!"

All she could do was laugh and then laugh harder when she saw herself in the dress he’d chosen. Instinctively, she put her hand up to hide her naked breastbone, then froze, meeting a different set of eyes in the reflection of the middle mirror. Kline’s usually heavy-lidded bedroom eyes were wide, his head tilted with a strange smile on his face.

“Oh... Kline. Hello."

As soon as she spoke, he seemed to force his face to rearrange into something friendlier, less hungry. "Hello again. Fancy meeting you here."

August stepped out in front of her, all his Bonhomme gone. "Well, look what the wind blew in. You really are everywhere, aren't you, It Boy?"

"Gus," Kline smiled tightly. "That's a nice dress," he said to Jill, admiring the daring frock. "Are you looking for something for the Grammys? I heard you were presenting."

"She's wearing an original for the Grammys," August answered. "A little something I've cooked up."

"I was threatening to go back to New York," Jill said, trying to inject levity. "So August brought me shopping.He's trying to convince me that LA has all there is to offer."

Kline nodded. "The best shops. The best restaurants. Great weather. Golden opportunity on every corner. You can't ask for more."

"Hm. I miss New York. Things feel different there," Jill said, smoothing the dress she was wearing, keeping her sternum covered. "Less fake."

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