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"Inferior, overpriced merchandise, my ass," Kate shot out. "You'd better watch your mouth, Candy, before you find yourself in the middle of a slander suit."
"Expressing an opinion isn't slander." She'd checked with her second husband, the lawyer, to be sure. "It's a matter of taste." Proud of the body her first husband, the plastic surgeon, had helped create, Candy spread her towel open. "One might have thought you had more, Laura. But apparently bloodlines and breeding aren't always enough to ensure taste in companions."
"You know, I was just thinking that." Margo sat up. "Both of your exes had such sterling pedigrees. Go figure."
With some dignity, Candy crossed her naked legs. "I wanted to speak to you, Laura, about the Garden Club. Under the circumstances, I think it would be best if you resigned as co-chair." When Laura only lifted a brow, Candy dabbed at her throat with the edge of her towel. "There's gossip brewing, about you and Peter, about your association with…" She skimmed her eyes over Margo. "Certain unsuitable elements."
"I'm an unsuitable element," Margo told Kate.
"That's nothing. I'm an undesirable element. Aren't I, Candy?"
"You are simply detestable."
"See?" Grinning, Kate leaned over, staring into Margo's upturned face. "I'm detestable. It's because I'm the poor and distant relation. The Powells were a questionable offshoot of the Templetons, you know."
"I'd heard that."
"And I'm an accountant," Kate went on. "Which is much worse than a shopkeeper. We actually talk about money."
"That's enough," Laura said quietly. "You want the chair to yourself, Candy, it's all yours." She only regretted she wasn't able to break it over Candy's empty head. "That'll give me more time to associate with unsuitable and undesirable elements."
The easy capitulation was disappointing. Candy had so hoped for a fight. "And how is Peter enjoying Hawaii?" she said with a sneer. "I heard he took that clever little secretary of his with him this time. Though now that I think of it, they did take several… business trips before. It must be devastating to find yourself replaced by an employee of your own company. She's quite young too, isn't she?"
"Candy likes them young," Kate said, as fury bubbled through her. "How old is the pool boy you're, bumping, Candy? Sixteen?"
"He's twenty," she snapped, then seethed at the way she had stepped into the trap. "At least I can get a man. But then, you don't want a man, do you, Kate? Everyone knows you're a lesbian."
Margo snorted, had to slap a hand over her mouth to hold the next one in. "Oh-oh, Kate, secret's out."
"It's a relief." Kate scooted forward on the bench so that she could leer at Candy's body. "I've had my eye on you for years, Sugar Lips, but I was too shy to tell you."
"It's true." Conspiratorially, Margo leaned toward Candy. "She's been afraid of her love for you."
Unsettled, u
nsure, Candy shifted. "That's not amusing."
"No, it's been painful, wrenching." Kate swung her legs over the bench, slid down. "But now that you know the truth, I can make you mine at last."
"Don't touch me." Squeaking, Candy jumped up, fumbled with her towel. "Don't come near me."
"I think they want to be alone," Laura commented and wrapped her towel over her breasts.
"I hate you. I hate all of you."
"God." Kate gave a quick shudder. "Isn't she the sexiest little thing?"
"You're revolting." Fearing for her life, Candy dashed out of the steam room, leaving her towel behind.
"Pervert," Margo said mildly when Kate collapsed on the bench.
"Careful, you might get me hot. If I was a lesbian, I'm sure you'd be more my type." Catching her breath, she looked over at Laura. "Honey, don't let her get to you."
"Hmm?" Distracted, Laura glanced back. "I was just thinking—how much do you think she paid for that boob job?"
"Not enough." Margo rose and tucked the towel in place. "Come on, let's go stuff her in a locker. For old time's sake."
"I do like men," Kate insisted, fidgeting as her toenails were painted. The salon's cotton-candy-pink and spun-sugar-white decor was designed to put a woman into a relaxed and festive mood. It made Kate itchy. "I just don't have a lot of time for them."
