Once Frank gave the all clear that her space was empty of psychos, he left, and the women all filed into her suite. Her friends wandered out of the foyer, gawking. This was the first time she’d invited them to her private space. Though it wouldn’t be the last.
“This is what you call your room?” Charlotte asked. “It’s an entire hotel floor.”
Mad rushed through the rooms in a quick tour. “She even has a dining room!” she hollered.
“You can look around if you want,” Claire said to the other women craning their necks to see more of the suite. She trailed after them as the women oohed and aahed over the decor, the luxury appointments, the master bathroom. This was the kind of appreciation she had to remind herself to have. Somehow seeing it through their eyes made it easier to appreciate. When they’d finished, she gestured them toward the master bedroom with the walk-in closet full of her clothes, each item handpicked by her personal shopper. Even on casual days, she had to look put together for the inevitable photo either from a paparazzi or just a fan wanting a selfie with her.
“Mad, you go first,” Claire said. “You’re about my size. Take your pick of dresses. Anything you want.”
Mad flushed bright red. “I’ll just watch.”
Hailey put her hands on her hips. “What do you mean you’ll just watch? Pick something.”
Mad traced the carpet with the toe of her black work boot. “I don’t know what to pick,” she mumbled with an almost shy look.
Claire took in Mad’s short disheveled purple hair, her black concert shirt ripped at the collar, and the usual baggy cargo shorts. She remembered Jake telling her about all his brothers and how Mad was one of the guys. Maybe she’d never worn a party dress. Or so rarely that she felt uncomfortable.
Claire started going through her cocktail dresses, looking for the right color for Mad. What went with purple hair, brown eyes, and delicate fair skin? She pulled out a silver sequined dress with a dipping back.
“No,” Hailey said. “Purple.” She quickly went through the dresses and pulled out two purple dresses, one lavender with a ruffle at the skirt, one a deep purple sleeveless dress that was like a second skin on Claire. It was hard to tell Mad’s shape. She guessed her breasts could hold up the sleeveless dress.
“Pick one,” Hailey ordered, holding both dresses up to Mad.
Mad lifted her chin. “You pick.”
Hailey shoved the dark purple sleeveless one at her. Mad took it with a mumbled, “Thanks.” She stood there, holding the dress about a foot away.
“Try it on,” Hailey urged.
“Now?” Mad asked. Her cheeks tinged with pink, and she cast a sideways glance at the rest of the women, who weren’t even looking at her. They were too busy browsing through Claire’s closet.
“Yes, now,” Hailey said. “How else are you going to know if it works?”
“I’ll do it at home later,” Mad mumbled.
Was Mad that shy? Too embarrassed to change in front of the rest of them? Claire never would’ve guessed it.
Claire crossed to Mad and whispered in her ear, “You can change in the bathroom. I’ll keep them busy. If you don’t like the fit, just change back to your regular clothes. But if you do like it, you have to let us see.”
Mad nodded once and marched out of the closet.
“Where’s she going?” Hailey demanded.
“It’s too crowded in here,” Claire said. She grabbed the black low-cut dress she’d worn to a charity dinner last spring. “This would look gorgeous with your hair,” she told Hailey, handing it to her.
Hailey gasped. “This is Prada!”
“Made especially for me,” Claire said.
“Haute couture,” Hailey whispered reverently. She turned. “Unzip me.” For as long as she’d known Hailey, she was always in a dress.
Claire unzipped her. Hailey stepped out of her dress and slipped the other one over her head. Claire did the tiny clasp across the waist in back for her.
Hailey preened. “Omigod! I love it!” She went to the mirror and did a little twirl. Then she rushed at Claire, throwing her arms around her. “Thank you!”
Claire’s eyes misted as she hugged her back. “You’re quite welcome.”
Hailey browsed the shoe racks next, trying on several pairs, and then picked a pair of black Versace stilettos with gold-covered heels. She beamed at Claire. “They’re a little tight, but I’ll make them work.”
“I’ll get something in your size,” Claire said. “You’re probably going to be wearing them all night for the premiere and the after party.”