Page 20 of Romancing the Rumrunner
The others were in various states of disrepair. Most were stained and more than a few had cigarette burns in them. Unfortunately, the dress that was wearable was a garish yellow that would look horrible on her. Still, it was the only one she’d willingly let touch her skin, so she drew that one off its hanger.
“You can change behind the screen there.” Tony dropped to the sofa and crossed his legs, hooking one foot on the knee of his other leg while he leaned back, draping his arm along the back of the sofa.
Jessie’s mouth dropped open. “You want me to change while you are in here?”
“You’ll be behind the screen. I assure you I can’t see anything. I need to see how it looks on you and staying put is a lot more expedient than having me wait out in the hall like some bag boy.”
Jessie considered protesting, but he was right. She would be hidden enough behind the screen and besides, Tony didn’t seem like the type of man she could easily persuade. She sighed and stomped behind the screen, removing her own clothing and slipping the dress over her head as quickly as she could.
The minute it slid over her chest, she knew it wouldn’t work. Whoever had worn the dress before had been at least two sizes smaller, and a great deal more flat chested. She grabbed the hem and tugged it down over her curves, squeezing herself into it like it was a sausage casing. She got all the important parts covered, but just barely. And the material pulled so tightly over her body that it was barely decent.
She glanced down at herself and revised that thought. It wasn’t anywhere near decent.
“How’s it going?” Tony asked.
“Um…I don’t think this one will work.”
“Well, come on out here and let me see.”
“That’s really not necessary, I assure you—”
“Baloney. Come on out.”
Jessie sighed and stepped out from behind the screen, fighting the urge to cover her breasts with her arms. The material barely contained them and it was stretched so tightly, too deep a breath would expose all her bits and pieces.
Tony’s mouth opened slightly as he took her in, but he didn’t say anything. Jessie wasn’t sure if he was horrified at how ghastly she looked or if it was something else. Finally, he looked away, shifting uncomfortably on the couch, and waved her back behind the screen.
“No, you’re right. That one won’t do at all. What about the others?”
“They look to be all the same size.”
“Well then. We’ll have to remedy that first thing tomorrow. But for tonight…”
“I’ve brought something I can wear tonight.”
“Oh. Excellent. All right then. When you’re ready, come back to my office and I’ll introduce you to the rest of the band members and you can discuss your set numbers with them. I’d like you on the stage by midnight.”
Jessie nodded, her mouth suddenly dry.What have I gotten myself into? Set numbers?
Tony gave her a wink and pulled the door closed behind him. Jessie leaned against it a moment.
“Pull yourself together, Harlan. Good grief, it’s only a few songs.”
Jessie shook herself off, grabbed the dress she’d borrowed from Maude from the back of the chair, and went behind the screen. She peeled the hideous yellow dress off and slipped into her own dress. The silk slipped across her skin like fresh, warm cream and hugged her curves in all the right places. She felt like the absolute cat’s pajamas in it. The neckline was lower than she usually dared to wear, but for a nightclub singer, it was perfect.
She pulled out her cosmetic bag and refreshed her makeup. She ran the pencil along her brows, dabbed a bit more rouge on her cheeks and smeared Maude’s bright red lipstick across her lips. The overall effect was very nice. Lighter, she was sure, than Maude would want, but for Jessie it was more than enough. She patted the waves of her hair back into place, securing the rhinestone and feather headband that had been made for the dress across her forehead.
She took a look in the full-length mirror, turning this way and that. The deep sapphire blues and luminous greens of the beaded peacock feathers on the dress brought out the color of her eyes, making them brilliantly bright in her pale face. She pinched her cheeks, trying to help the rouge along, and put her hands on her hips.
“Well, that’ll have to do.” She took one last deep breath and headed out.
Tony’s door was open so she gave it a quick knock and pushed it the rest of the way.
“Mr. Solomon? I’m ready.”
Tony glanced up and froze. For a moment, Jessie was afraid she’d spilled some powder or something on her dress. But a quick perusal alleviated that worry. Maybe she wasn’t fancy enough?
“Do I look all right?”
