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long though, will we? she asked nervously as she grabbed a mink coat from the closet in the front hall. She hadn't worn it since her husband's funeral, but she didn't let herself think of that now. She was doing this for her daughter. I don't want to stay more than a few minutes.
    I'll bring you home whenever you want, Mom. I promise.
    All right then, she said, looking surprisingly young and vulnerable as she followed Jan through the front door, and as though to say good-bye to someone who wasn't there, she glanced over her shoulder for just an instant, paused, and then closed the door softly behind her.

Chapter Three

    The preparations for the party at the store had gone on since early that morning. There were garlands over the doors, and wreaths in all the windows. They closed at four o'clock exactly, and there was a beautiful Christmas tree, all decorated in silver. Jack was pleased when he saw it.
    I know they're not politically correct anymore. But I love 'em. This one's a beauty. The store was sparkling as he looked around. There were bars in three locations, and cases of French Champagne chilling in the kitchen. And he had hired four musicians to play music, to liven up the atmosphere, but not for dancing. They were expecting two hundred people. It was one of their more exclusive parties, for only their best customers, and a list of celebrities that Jack knew would be there. Unlike their not showing up at most events, they always came to Jack's parties. Everybody loved him, and coming to parties at Julie's.
    Well, Gladdie, how does it look to you? he asked, as he looked around for one last time before going to change. He had bought a new Armani suit for the occasion.
    Looks good to me, Jack. Really good, she said, as she admired all the details. She loved his parties. They were always terrific.
    Keep an eye on things for me. I'm going to go upstairs and change, he said, and disappeared into the elevator. He was back, looking like the cover on GQ twenty minutes later. The suit was dark blue, but there was nothing stuffy about it, and the way he wore it made him look like a male model.
    Very handsome, Gladdie said in an undertone when he came back downstairs again. You look terrific. Do you have a date tonight? she inquired with interest. The last starlet had passed through his hands several weeks before, and she knew he was currently cultivating a well-known model.
    At least a dozen of them, he laughed. Unfortunately, Starr left for Paris this morning. But she had me invite her sister.
    Very generous of her ' or very foolish ' Gladdie commented with a grin.
    I think she has a friend in Paris. He smiled, feeling pleased with life, and pleasantly unencumbered, which was how he liked things.
    Are the kids coming tonight? Gladdie asked, helping herself to a glass of Champagne as the first guests started to come through the door. Elizabeth Taylor had just walked in with Michael Jackson. And Barbra Streisand and a friend were right behind them.
    They said they'd try, Jack said absently as he went to greet his guests, and within half an hour the place was jumping. The music added to the festive mood, and celebrities came and went, as outside, photographers snapped their pictures, but Jack wouldn't allow them in the building. He wanted everyone to relax and enjoy the party, without fear of the press or the tabloids or the cameras.
    It was nearly seven o'clock when Jan and Amanda drove up to the door, and Jan relinquished her car to the valet, and preceded her mother into Julie's. She had been worried on the way that Amanda would suddenly panic and change her mind, and the photographers who leapt at them instantly almost did it. But Jan pulled her into the store as quickly as she could, and Amanda looked suddenly breathless and a little startled when she got there. It was all so dazzling and so festive and so busy. There were faces she recognized everywhere, and two of the actresses she had worked with years before suddenly