Private Scandals

the introductions and, spotting a camera out of the corner of her eye, angled herself into a prominent position. “I really must powder my nose before we go in. Deanna, come along with me. No woman goes to the ladies’ room alone.”
    Though Finn tightened his grip, Deanna eased away. “Sure.” Better to face whatever unpleasantness Angela had in mind now, she decided, than wait for it to be played out in public. “Finn, I’ll meet you inside in a minute.”
    To offer the camera a friendly tableau, Angela hooked her arm through Deanna’s. “We haven’t had one of our private talks for ages, have we?”
    “It would be a little tough, since we haven’t seen each other in two years.”
    “Always so literal.” With a light laugh, Angela swung into the ladies’ lounge. It was nearly empty, as she’d hoped. Laterit would be full, but now people were eager to be seated. She walked to the mirrored counter, pulled out a chair and did exactly what she’d said she would do. She powdered her nose. “You’ve chewed off most of your lipstick,” she said dryly. “Nervous?”
    “Excited.” Deanna remained standing, but set her glass aside to dig a lipstick out of her evening bag. “I imagine that’s a natural reaction to being nominated.”
    “It becomes routine after a while. I have several awards, you know. Interesting that you’ve been nominated for that show on date rape. I’d considered that more of a self-confessional hour, not a mix of views.” Angela patted her hair, searching for any out-of-place strands as she turned her face side to side. “I imagine Finn will cop one of the prime-time statues himself when they come out. He’s well liked in the industry, and he’s been able to create a show that appeals to the news buffs as well as the viewer looking for entertainment.”
    “I thought you didn’t watch television.”
    Angela’s eyes sharpened. It surprised Deanna that their reflection didn’t leave slices on the glass. “I glance at something now and then, if I think it might interest me. Of course, Finn has always interested me.” Slowly, with relish, she glided her tongue over her lips. “Tell me, do his eyes still go that wicked cobalt shade when he’s aroused?” She dabbed perfume at her wrists. “You do manage to arouse him occasionally, don’t you?”
    “Why don’t you ask him?”
    “I may do that—if I get him alone. Then again, if I get him alone, he might forget all about you.” Smiling, she twirled up a spiral of hot pink lipstick. “So what would be the point?”
    Deanna wasn’t nervous any longer, she was simply irked. “The point might be that you’re married, and that Finn stopped being interested in you a long time ago.”
    “Do you really believe that?” Angela’s laugh was as brisk and chilly as a puff of December air. “Darling, if I decided to have an affair with Finn—and Dan’s a veryunderstanding man, so my marriage is no obstacle—he’d not only be willing, he’d be grateful.”
    Moving beyond irked, Deanna felt little knots of tension twine in her stomach, but her smile came easily. “Angela.” There was a laugh in her voice. “Trying to make me jealous is a waste of time. You had sex with Finn. I know that. And I’m not naive enough to imagine he didn’t find you tremendously attractive and alluring. But what I have with him now is on an entirely different level. You’re only embarrassing yourself by trying to convince me he’s like some trained mutt who’ll come running if you snap your fingers.”
    Angela slapped the lid on the lipstick. “You’re very cool, aren’t you?”
    “No, not really. I’m just happy.” She sat then, hoping they could bury at least the sharpest edge of the hatchet. “Angela, we were friends once—or at least friendly. I’m grateful for the opportunity you gave me to learn and observe. Maybe the time’s passed where we can be friendly, but I don’t see why we have to snipe at each other. We’re competitors, but there’s more than enough room for both of us.”
    “Do you think you can compete with me?” Angela began to shake, from her shoulders down to her spine. “Do you really think you can come close to what I’ve achieved, to what I have, to what I’m going to have?”
    “Yes,” Deanna said, and rose. “Yes, I do. And I don’t have to resort to planting lies in the tabloids or low-level espionage to do it. You’ve been in the business long enough to tolerate a little heat,