“No probs,” Lisa said, opening the door. “It’s Rue!”
“Ruth,” the assistant corrected her, stepping inside.
“Need anything before I go?” Lisa asked, but she wasn’t looking at Jamie anymore—her eyes flicked toward the bottle on the bar. Clayton’s bottle that she was sent there for.
Jamie swallowed, the ugly feeling rising in her chest. “No, I’m good.”
“That’smyjob,” Ruth interjected, her voice a little stiff.
Lisa smiled. “See you guys later.” She disappeared into the hall and Jamie resisted the urge to throw a pillow at the door.
Was she taking that bottle straight to Clayton? Were they going to drink it together?
Ruth flopped onto the couch. “Your makeup looks fantastic!”
Jamie blinked, snapping back to the moment. “Does it? I haven’t even looked.”
“We have to leave in ten.”
Jamie took a slow breath, pushing down the ridiculous feeling swirling in her chest. “I just need to get dressed.”
She stepped into the bedroom and slipped on a black dress. She’d probably be the only presenter not wearing sequins or a cowboy hat.
When she walked into the living room Ruth’s eyes went wide. “You look great, James!”
The hairstylist unrolled her curlers, shaking out soft waves before misting them with a finishing spray that smelled faintly of vanilla. Jamie stepped to the full-length mirror and gave a slow twirl. “Not bad, considering the day I’ve had.”
Ruth grinned. “It’s all smooth sailing from here on out.”
At the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the same show producer led them backstage and opened Jamie’s dressing room door. With all the commotion earlier she hadn’t realized there was no booze in her room.
“Where’s my vodka?” she asked the producer.
He pointed to the fridge of sparkling water. “That’s all that was on your rider.”
Shorty.
“Thank you,” Ruth said. “We’ll sort it out. I’m sure you’re busy.”
Jamie took a seat and wiggled her feet. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn heels. “This is just great.”
“Do you want me to get you a drink from the green room?”
“No, that’s okay.” She stood up. “I’ll come with you.”
This time the green room was jam-packed and no one could move, but she knew where the bar was, so they headed in that direction. A few yards away she spotted Clayton at the bar. Thank God he was tall.
As they approached, Clayton saw Jamie and smiled.
The people in line got their drinks ahead of her, and she tried to squeeze through the crowd. Then she stepped forward and nearly died. Clayton wore a black suit with a black tie and his black cowboy hat topped off his outfit.
“Clayton looks handsome,” Ruth said behind her.
Jamie turned her head and said, “He looks okay, I guess.”
Clayton looked her up and down when they finally got to the front of the line.
“Wow! You look gorgeous.”
