Skintight by Susan Andersen Read Free Book Online Page A

telling him about how you and Jax met last night and got to the part where you said, ‘Well, Gallagher, Jax Gallagher, I believe Iwould like to have breakfast with you,’ Donny went ape-shit. Did you know your boy Jax is part of the big poker tournament that’s gonna be held over at Bellagio at the end of the month?”
    â€œYeah, he mentioned that this morning.”
    â€œDid he mention his ranking? Because apparently he is big on this circuit. Donny says he’s probably one of the top five winners of the past couple years. And according to my guy, that equates to huge—and I’m talking mega —winnings.”
    â€œAnd he’s a hottie, too,” Michelle piped in from down the row of stools in front of the long lighted mirror.
    â€œUm, um, um,” Eve murmured and grinned at Treena. “Money and sex appeal. Sugar, I’m thinking you definitely hit the jackpot with this one.”
    â€œDid I tell you all about the television special I’m going to be in?” Julie-Ann asked.
    â€œAd nauseam,” Carly said, strolling into the dressing area from the shower room. Reaching her station next to Treena’s she dropped her towel and picked up a pair of silky undies from the countertop. She raised a brow at Treena as she stepped into them and adjusted the thong’s fit. “So what are you going to wear on your date?”
    Treena removed the nylon skullcap that enabled her to fit all her hair under the wig from the final act and rose to her feet. Fluffing out her curls with both hands, she strode over to the garment rack. She stopped in front of it and slid aside a couple of costumes that the wardrobe mistress hadn’t yet collected for repair. Unhooking the hanger containing the cocktail dress she’d brought from home, she swung around and held the garment against her front for her friends to see. “What do you think? He indicated I should dress up.”
    It was an above-the-knee, empire-waisted, black-and-gold crocheted dress that was cut low in front. It had a slip-dress lining and tiny capped sleeves, and its bias-cut hem was finished with silky eight-inch knotted fringe that swayed with the least little movement. She raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
    â€œOh, hell, yeah,” Juney breathed, coming over to inspect the dress. “Where did you get this?” She fingered the fringe. “This is totally hot. I’m going to have to borrow it sometime.”
    â€œWhenever you want,” she agreed. She’d gotten it when she and Big Jim had first gotten married, but she refused to dwell on that. She’d realized this afternoon that it had been ages since she’d anticipated anything the way she was looking forward to her date with Jax tonight—and she was damned if she was going to let guilt ruin her evening. She hooked the hanger back on the rack and returned to her station to get ready.
    A few moments later Julie-Ann said admiringly, “It sure is nice the way you can just forget your husband’s only been dead a few months.”
    Carly half rose from her stool. “Listen, you little bi—”
    Treena reached up and halted her with a hand on her arm. “It’s okay,” she said quietly, and turned to Julie-Ann. “My husband has been dead for over four months,” she said evenly, “and he was ill practically our entire marriage before that. I was faithful to him while he was alive, and I hardly think going out with another man now can be considered dancing on his grave.”
    â€œOf course not,” Julie-Ann agreed with an innocent blink of her eyes. “That’s what I said. It’s nice that you can just forget all about him and have fun with another guy.”
    No guilt, no guilt, she reminded herself and returned Julie-Ann’s saccharine smile with an equally insincere one of her own. “Isn’t it?” she agreed, and turned back to finish applying her