“There are no dots. I’m saying it happens. In general.” For a moment, Vivian took hold of her skirt, twisting the beautiful gold lace. Then she appeared to realize what she was doing and stopped, lifting her chin. “A pretty young thing catches the eye of someone in authority and good intentions and ethics go out the window. I’ve seen it happen too often.”

Had it happened to Vivian herself? Was that where this was coming from? Hot outrage prickled Jules’s skin at the thought. If it had happened, she’d find a way to go back in time and wring the neck of whoever it was. That’s what she’d do.

Hard on the heels of her outrage came embarrassment. Like Vivian needed Jules to protect her from anything.

Vivian pursed her lips. “Anyway, never mind all that. I’ve always respected Monique, and I appreciate what she’s done for our brand. But she mentioned something about Mark, which is the last thing I need. It would be a shame if—”

Just then, something sucked and pulled at the skin of Jules’s chest. The boob tape was coming loose.

A domino effect had begun. Next thing she knew, the right side of her jumpsuit could no longer contain her. Her breast didn’t pop right out, but it pressed forward enough that the translucent silicone bra was on full display, including the nipple beneath it.

“Shit!” Jules yelped before she could censor herself. She yanked the fabric back over her breast hard enough that there was an awful popping sound: snapped threads. The jumpsuit loosened over her right shoulder as it lost shape.

Vivian looked down at Jules’s chest, then back up at her face, her eyes widening.

“Fuck,” Jules said, her profanity filter a thing of the past.

The tape on the left side of her chest gave way too. This time, instead of pulling the fabric, Jules slapped her hand over her left breast to conceal herself. Too hard. “Ow!”

And then she sat there staring at Vivian, utterly stricken as she cupped one of her breasts and held silk fabric over the other. “Um,” she said weakly, “good thing that didn’t happen at the ball.”

Vivian said nothing. Silence mounted in the car until Jules actively began to pray for her own death.

And then Vivian Carlisle burst out laughing.

Really and truly. Her shoulders shook, and her lips parted in incredulous glee. She clapped a hand over her mouth, too late to stifle herself.

“Vivian!” Jules spluttered.

“Oh, my God.” Vivian pressed her hand to her chest as she let out another peal of laughter.

Jules growled and looked down at her chest, her cheeks flaming. It figured her abject humiliation would be what finally made Vivian crack up. Nice. “Come on, this is embarrassing!”