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"More tension," Kline offered.
"More fabric," Jill mused. "This dress isn't going to work."
"Well, there's plenty of other boutiques, darling," August said, cheerily, "and if you don't find anything you like here, we'll just go to my studio."
"In New York, Gregor just sends things over to the apartment." She sulked slightly.
"We'll move Gregor out here then," August laughed. "I'm not letting you go back now that I've got you again."
She rolled her eyes to Kline and looked him up and down. She couldn’t help but smile. He was still just so handsome. "Get an Armani.You've got the shoulders for it."
He nodded. "That's usually what I end up wearing. I'm thinking that I might go for something with a bit more edge to it, though. Maybe a kilt? Haven't decided."
"I hear powder blue is making a comeback," August said, before turning to Jill again. "Let's get you out of this dress. We'll be late for the showing at Dior."
“Not a kilt,” Jill said, shaking her head around August’s shoulder as he started to maneuver her. “Trying too hard.”
August was moving her back toward the fitting room and she shrugged apologetically before smiling."Go for Armani.But leave your tie undone and don't do up your top button. Do just-been-done Rat Pack edge.No one else is doing it this year.You’ll look delicious and the media will eat you up."
He smiled. "Sounds just the thing. You always did know what looks good on me."
"I like men. I know what looks good on men."
"What's Gus going to be wearing?" he asked.
Jill laughed, hoping she sounded insouciant and not desperate to get him flirting. "Me."
"Of course." Kline nodded. "Lucky guy."
"Lucky me.If you'll excuse me, I have to go be undressed so he can dress me up again.I've moved into the second stage of my career, you know.August's Barbie."
"That's sounds like a full-time job," he said, grinning. "It was great seeing you again. I'll look for you at the awards."
"It's muse, not Barbie," August called, "now get your injection-molded-self back in here!"
“Are you going to be at the Grammys?”
“I did an audiobook. Got to grind to get that EGOT,” he said.
August’s disembodied voice said, “Got to have talent to get the O and the T.”
“I’ve got one E more than you’ll ever have!”
“Have fun losing the G,” August called. “Angela Bassett is up in your category.”
Jill laughed, covering her mouth with both hands before saying, “I have to go.” She waved at Kline, then turned back into the dressing room. As she did, she could hear Kline speaking to someone. “Let’s go. I want to wear Armani,” he said. “Rat Pack chic. Vintage cuff links and all.”
August said nothing, but his mood had clearly soured, so when she was dressed again Jill asked, “Is Lola joining us for dinner?” August had invited himself along with Jill to meet with her Los Angeles management, suggesting he might be able to help steer her. She hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings, and it was always good to have his company, so she’d agreed he could come along.
“I hadn’t thought so.”
“It might be nice,” Jill suggested gently, patting his chest. “I don’t know anyone out here and I’d love to have a girlfriend. It would be nice to have another girl at the table anyway. You could call her while I’m at the spa.”
“Oh, am I getting shut out of the luxury experience?”
“You want to sit through my makeup and blow out? God bless you. We’re meeting Royce at Giorgio Baldi. I’m sure Lola would love to join us, right? See and be seen? On your arm? Her boyfriend?”
August grumbled but assented. “When you change for dinner, put on the Louis Vuitton strapless. It looks stunning on you, and it won’t be terrible with the jewelry you have on.”
