Private Scandals

loving every minute of it.” She eased closer, eyes dancing. “Don’t you know when they ask about your dress designer, you’ve made it?”
    “They didn’t ask me.”
    She turned, fussing with his tie. “And you look so nice, too. Very GQ. ”
    He grimaced. “Please. I can’t believe I got talked into doing that photo layout.”
    “It was smashing.”
    “I’m a newscaster, not a model.”
    “But you have such cute dimples.”
    They didn’t flash. They didn’t so much as wink as he cornered her with one steely-eyed glare. “Keep that up and I’ll leak the news that you changed your underwear three times before getting into that dress tonight.”
    “Okay, they’re not cute. No matter what Mary Hart said last week on ET. ”
    “She said—never mind.” No way was he going to get pulled into that one. “Let’s get a drink before we go in.”
    “Considering the occasion, it’ll have to be champagne. Just one,” she added, pressing a hand to her middle. “I don’t think my system can handle any more.”
    “Wait here. I’ll fight the horde.”
    “I told you you were my hero.”
    She turned, and would have scooted off into a corner, where she could stand and observe, but she found herself face to face with Kate Lowell.
    “Hello, Dee.”
    “Hello, Kate.” Deanna offered a hand and they shook like strangers. “It’s good to see you.”
    “It doesn’t feel as though you mean it,” she said as she straightened her shoulders. “You look terrific, ready to win.”
    “I hope so.”
    “I’d like to wish you luck. Really excellent luck, considering your competition.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Don’t. It’s purely selfish on my part. By the way, Rob Winters said to send his best if I ran into you.”
    Deanna’s stiff smile softened. “How is he?”
    “Dying,” Kate said shortly, then let out a breath between her teeth. “Sorry. We’ve been friends for a long time, and it’s hard to watch.”
    “You don’t have to apologize. I understand about friendships and loyalties.”
    Kate dropped her gaze. “Direct hit, Dee.”
    “Cheap shot,” she corrected. Instinctively she took Kate’s hand again. There was none of the mannered politeness this time. Just support, basic and unstudied. “I can’t even imagine what it must be like for you.”
    Kate studied their joined hands, remembered how easy it had once been. “Dee, why didn’t you announce Rob’s condition when he told you about it?”
    “Because he asked me not to.”
    Kate shook her head. “That was always enough for you. I’d wondered if you’d changed.”
    “I have, but that hasn’t.”
    “I really hope you win tonight. I hope you cut her off at the knees.” With this, she turned and walked away.
    As Deanna watched the other woman walk through the crowd, she thought she understood the tears she’d seen in Kate’s eyes, but not the venom in her voice.
    “Well, we have come up in the world.” Angela glided into Deanna’s line of vision, a frothy dream of candy-pink silk and icy diamonds. “Smile for the camera, dear,” she whispered as she leaned forward to air-kiss both of Deanna’s cheeks. “Surely you haven’t forgotten everything I taught you.”
    “I haven’t forgotten a thing.” Deanna let her lips curve up. She hated the fact that her stomach jittered with nerves.Hated more the fact that they were bound to show. “It’s been a long time.”
    “It certainly has. I don’t believe you’ve met my husband. Dan, this is Deanna Reynolds.”
    “A pleasure.” As polished as a fine gem, Dan took Deanna’s hand in his. “You’re every bit as charming as Angela told me.”
    “I’m sure she told you nothing of the kind, but thanks. I saw your pre-Emmy special last night, Angela. I enjoyed it.”
    “Did you?” Angela held up a cigarette for Dan to light. “I have so little time to watch television myself these days.”
    “That’s interesting. I’d think that would insulate you from your audience. I love to watch. I suppose I’m really the average viewer.”
    “Average isn’t something I’d settle for.” Angela’s gaze shifted over Deanna’s shoulder, smoldered. “Hello, Finn. Isn’t it interesting that we’d all have to come to Los Angeles to have a reunion?”
    “Angela.” Smoothly, he passed Deanna her glass of champagne, then slipped an arm around her waist. “You’re looking well.”
    “He used to be much more clever with his compliments,” Angela told Dan. She made the rest of