Mistaken Identity (7 page)

Chapter
Eight

“Okay, missy, time for you to get up and shower,” Tina said as she walked around her guest room opening the curtains and blinds to let in the sunlight.  It had been two weeks since the night she’d danced with David and she’d barely resurfaced since.

“Why?” Olivia mumbled.

“Because the pity-party is over and you scared the neighbors when you went to get the mail.”

“Not funny.”

“Wasn’t trying to be,” Tina sighed as she sat on the side of the bed.  “Look, I booked a last minute party and all of our servers are busy so it’s me and you tonight.”

Olivia whined.  “For real?  Why?  I am in no shape to act as a server tonight, Tina.  There has got to be someone else.”

“Believe me, if there was, I would have called them. Because this?” she said, gesturing to the lump Olivia formed in the bed, “is going to take a lot of work to make presentable.  So go get in the shower and we are going to do a quick salon trip and get you all shiny again.”

“I don’t want to be shiny.”

“Too bad.”

With more whining and complaining, Olivia made her way to the bathroom and once under the steamy spray she had to admit that it did feel good.  With a sigh, she realized that Tina was right; the pity party time was over.  So things didn’t work out; was she really surprised?  The whole relationship with Daniel had started out in a bizarre physical way and they didn’t have a good working relationship before so really, the fault was all hers for thinking that it was going to be something more.

She just wished it didn’t hurt so damn much.

Thirty minutes later Olivia was showered and dressed and felt more human than she had in days.  Tina dragged her out the door and to the car and at what seemed like warp speed
, she was being pulled through the doors of the salon.  Tina leaned across the reception desk.  “Hi, I called about thirty minutes ago.  We have the…”

“Oh, you’re the emergency appointments!” 
The perky blonde behind the desk squeaked and Olivia wanted to slap her.  When she walked away, she turned to Tina and scowled.  “You told her we were emergency appointments?”

“Well
, you are.”

As much as it pained her to admit it, Olivia knew she was right.  “Fine.  I’m not even going to ask what they’re going to do, just do it and get it over with.”

Tina gave her a wicked smile.  “Believe me, you had no say either way.”

Two hours later Olivia’s head was spinning.  She had gotten a manicure, pedicure, facial and a haircut.  “Do you want her makeup done?” the stylist asked Tina while Olivia was still staring in the mirror marveling at how fabulous her hair looked.  Before she could voice her own opinion on the matter Tina gave the go-ahead.

Thirty minutes later Olivia was even more stunned by her new appearance.  “I hate to waste this on a catering, Tee,” she said as she checked out her reflection from all angles. 

“It should be an early
night; it’s just a family dinner.  We should be done by nine; maybe we can go out for drinks afterwards.”

Olivia’s mind wandered to the last time she’d agreed to go out for drinks and did her best to push it from her mind. 
“Sounds like a plan.”

They left and Olivia didn’t even want to guess how much all of that had set her friend back.  She felt like a million dollars and was actually starting to feel like her old self. 
Her life might not be perfect but maybe it was time to put the whole Daniel thing behind her and get back into the swing of things. 

She hadn’t slept in her own place since the breakup; there was no way Olivia could make herself sleep in the bed she’d shared so often with Daniel.  Tina had been gracious enough to take her in but feeling as she did right now, Olivia knew that it was time to move back home.

Tomorrow.

Maybe the next day.

Once back at Tina’s she went in search for what she was going to wear for their catering.  Pulling out the standard black skirt and white blouse, she frowned at her reflection when she saw how the clothes hung on her. 

Walking out into the living room, she stood in front of Tina.  “I think I’ve lost some weight.”  She gestured to how loose fitting her clothes were and watched her friend frown.

Standing, Tina reached for Olivia’s hand and pulled her into her bedroom.  “I knew this was going to happen and so I was prepared.”  Reaching into her closet, Tina pulled out a garment bag and handed it to Olivia.

“You cannot be serious?” Olivia said, her tone slightly defensive.  “Look, I’m not going to pretend that I haven’t been a royal pain in the ass to be around but you think I’m going to accept clothes from you now too?”

“It’s not for your benefit, Liv, but for the company.  These are wealthy clients tonight and I need you to show up looking like you didn’t just shop at the thrift store.”  When Olivia continued to glare she added, “It’s a company expense.”

Olivia yanked the garment bag from her hand.  “Fine, I’ll take this and get changed but only because it’s getting late and I just don’t have the energy to argue with you right now.”

“You finish getting ready and I’m heading over to the shop.  Meet me there when you’re done.”

“You seriously can’t wait a few minutes?”

“I’ve got things to get organized.  The dinner itself is going to be a no brainer but I’ve got some calls to return.”  She stopped for a minute and looked at Olivia.  “The clothes are a little different from what we’ve been doing.  I’m trying something new so don’t freak out.  Take your time…but hurry,” she said as she headed to the door and left.

“That was strange,” Olivia mumbled. 
She walked back to the guest bedroom and looked at the garment bag like it was a ticking time bomb.  How different were they talking?  Was she going to be dressed like a hooker?  Or a nun?  She sighed and unzipped the bag.

There was a simple black skirt.  It looked to be cut above the knee but all in all, harmless.  Then there was a black button down shirt; three quarter sleeves, big cuffs.  Again, harmless.  Next Olivia pulled out a hot pink apron.  Hot pink was the color of their logo so she understood what Tina was going for with that.  All in all, it made for a cute ensemble.

Olivia put the bag down on the bed and noticed that there was a small plastic bag tucked down in the bottom.  She pulled it out and found a pair of hot pink panties and a matching demi cup bra.  Seriously? She thought.  Tina had bought her underwear?

Pushing that disturbing thought from her mind, she simply focused on the act of getting dressed.  When she stepped in front of the full length mirror, Olivia had to admit that she looked good; damn good.  The skirt and blouse were snug without being obscene and with the sassy little apron and the feel of the sexy lingerie underneath, Olivia felt very feminine.

Deciding to throw caution to the wind, she kicked aside her practical black heels and raided Tina’s closet for a pair of stilettos.  Now she felt like the ensemble was complete.  Plus, after they were done with tonight’s dinner clients, she’d feel comfortable going out to a club and not feel like she was in her work clothes.

When Olivia arrived at the shop, Tina took one look at her and did a full on wolf whistle.  “Damn, I knew you’d look good in that.  I’m glad I went with the smaller size.  You look fabulous, Liv.”

“Well, thanks to you, my friend, I feel fabulous,” she paused because she was getting choked up.  “I don’t know what I would have done without you these last weeks;  you’ve been my rock and I want you to know that I am done feeling sorry for myself and that I’m ready to join the land of the living again.  I’ll be moving back home this weekend.”

“Are you sure because I’ve kind of enjoyed having you as my roomie,” Tina said with a sad smile.

“I’m sure.  It’s time.”

They worked together to load up what they needed into the catering van.  “We’re making field green salads, bruschetta, and penne a la vodka with shrimp, fresh spinach and fresh mozzarella and I’ve got assorted flavors of cheesecake for dessert.”

“Sounds decadent,” Olivia observed.

“The client picked the menu.  He’s a single guy and once a month he hosts a family dinner.  Normally they just do take out but he heard about us and wanted to step up his game a little.”

“Lucky us!”

Soon they were on their way and when Tina pulled up to a large townhouse located in one of the most exclusive areas in Raleigh, Olivia found herself to be impressed.  There was a golf course out front and a large lake in the back.  “This is absolutely stunning.  I can’t believe that some people actually get to live like this!”

“I’ll admit that I’m a wee-bit jealous,” Tina said as she pulled into the driveway.  “He gave me a key so that we could go in and get set up before he got home from work.”  She looked at the clock and saw it was near six.  “They’re all supposed to be here for seven so we’ve got an hour to prep and set up.”

“That’s more than enough time.  You said it’s only for four, right?”  Tina nodded.  “Seems kind of silly to hire a server for such a small group but I guess he’s trying to impress.”

“I don’t really care about his reasoning; he’s paying us a fortune and I for one, am glad.”

Within minutes they were inside and in action.  Tina was getting the food set up and prepped while Olivia set the dining room table.  The floor plan was beautiful – it was wide open with hard wood floors and the entire back of the house was nothing but a two story wall of windows.  The sun was setting on the lake and the view was breathtaking.

The dining room was set apart from the kitchen area with a swinging door dividing the spaces.  Olivia knew this would be beneficial to keep them separate and from intruding on the family’s time together.

She was done with her portion of the set up and had joined Tina back in the kitchen and was assembling the salad plates when they heard someone walking toward them.  “Show time,” she smiled at Tina and that smile fell from her face when she turned and saw David walking toward her.

She shot a look of anger at Tina.  “What did you do?” she hissed.

David chose to ignore the tension and came over and hugged her and then hugged Tina.  “Welcome, ladies.  Thank you for being willing to help me out on such short notice.”

“Our pleasure, David,” Tina gushed and Olivia wanted to scream.  “Everything’s just about ready so let me know when you want us to start serving.”

“Actually, we’re having some drinks in the living room so in about fifteen minutes, you can bring out the salads and the bruschetta and we’ll get started.”  He turned and left the kitchen and Olivia counted to five before turning on her friend.

“How could you do this to me?  You totally set me up!”

“Oh, please,
” Tina dismissed.  “How did I set you up?”

“You got me all pampered and relaxed and then brought me here to where I’d have no choice but to see Daniel!  What is wrong with you?  How could you do this to me?”

“I didn’t do this
to
you, Liv; I did it
for
you.  It’s time to move on.  David approached me about doing this dinner, he was willing to pay us a lot of money to do it and so I took the job.  We’re a new business and basically, beggars can’t be choosers.”

“That’s bullshit,” Olivia said hotly.  “We are not that desperate that you should have to sell out your best friend for the sake of a client.”

Tina put the spoon down that she was using and crossed her arms.  “I didn’t sell you out; what you and Daniel had is over.  You said it and his silence surely said it.  It’s time to move on.  It’s one night and a short one at that.  Surely you can stand to see him for two freakin hours.”

“You’re making me serve him as the hired help; it’s hardly a victory on my part.”

“It’s time to grow up, Liv.  This isn’t a game; there isn’t a winner or a loser in this.  You had a relationship and it ended.  Now I’m sorry to sound like a bitch but there it is.  We’re here, we can’t leave and I need you to put on your hot pink big girl panties and do what needs to be done.”

There were no words to describe all of her inner turmoil.  Olivia couldn’t remember ever feeling so betrayed.  “Fine,” she said stiffly.  “I’ll do what has to be done but I want you to know that
I think that you are royally fucked up.”

“I can live with that,” Tina said without a hint of a care.

Minutes later Olivia was carrying a tray with the salads on it out into the dining room.  “Olivia!” David’s father cried when he saw her.  “It’s wonderful to see you!  David said he had a surprise for us but didn’t say it was you!  How are you my dear?”  He stood up and waited for her to place the tray down before coming over to hug her.  Olivia had always had a wonderful relationship with the elder Slade and it did her heart good to see him.

Soon his wife Judith was up and hugging her and it helped keep Olivia from focusing on Daniel sitting at the opposite end of the table, glaring at her.  When everyone was seated she served their salads and then excused herself to go and grab the bruschetta.  She shot Tina a dirty look when she grabbed the platter and then plastered a serene smile back on her face as she entered the dining room
.

Placing the platter in the center of the table she turned to leave when David stopped her.  He reached out and grabbed her hand and pulled her close and then put an arm around her waist from where he sat.