by Breah Elise
“I’m still not following you, David.”
He stood up angrily and kicked his chair aside. “I’ve slept with other women who’ve worked for us. All of Daniel’s assistants in the last year? I slept with them all!” he shouted.
Olivia was stunned. Where the hell had she been that she missed all of this? “So Daniel wasn’t the reason those women quit?” David shook his head. “For crying out loud, David, how have you avoided getting slapped with sexual harassment suits?”
“It was always consensual, Liv, and it was always off the clock. I just have no desire to do the long term thing.”
“Must run in the family,” she mumbled.
“What?” he asked, pulling his chair back to sit down.
“I said it must run in the family. You and Daniel make quite the pair.”
David gave a mirthless laugh. “Are you kidding me? We’re as opposite as night and day. The thing is that most people don’t see us for who we really are. I know how to schmooze; I know how to put on the good ol’ boy charm. Daniel comes off as a hardass but it’s just a defense mechanism.”
“For what?”
“Usually because he’s pissed at me and the things that I do.”
Olivia’s head was spinning. For three years she’d worked for this man and looking at him right now he was a stranger. “You certainly had me fooled,” she said disgustedly.
“Oh, don’t be like that. We worked well together and I respected you; that’s why I never hit on you.”
It took every ounce of strength that she had to keep from reaching out and slapping his face. “Gee, thanks.”
“No, I’m serious. You were the perfect assistant and you made my life so much easier. And beside that, I genuinely liked you. I miss you, Liv. I know that this new career thing is your dream but could you find it in your heart to help me out?”
Now she could see what he meant by putting on the charm. It made her stomach turn. How had she been so blind for so long? The Slade brothers had certainly made her feel like a fool. “I’m sorry, David, but I can’t. Things are just starting to get busy around here and I need to keep my focus here.”
He sighed. “I understand. I don’t like it, but I really do understand.”
Olivia hesitated a minute and then decided to be brave. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“If I hadn’t been your assistant and had just been someone that worked for you, would you have ever…?”
“Hit on you?” he asked and Olivia nodded. “In a heartbeat. Hell, Liv, you’re a beautiful woman and if you had even given the slightest hint that you were interested, I might have had a hard time staying away.”
Her expression fell and she quickly looked away to hide the devastation on her face. “What? What did I say?” he asked.
Taking a deep breath to fortify herself, Olivia straightened in her chair and admitted the whole humiliating story of her final night at their beach retreat. Once she finished, she gave a sigh of relief. It was good to finally have it out in the open.
“So let me get this straight,” he said after a lengthy silence. “You went to my room and slept with Daniel, thinking he was me.”
She nodded.
“And that’s why you were sneaking out so early Sunday morning? So that you didn’t have to face him?”
Again, she nodded.
“Have you seen him again, other than at that one party?”
Her hesitation was all the answer he needed.
“Oh my god; are you the reason Daniel’s been acting so weird lately?” There was a hint of excitement in his voice as if he’d just received the best news.
“I don’t know what you mean by weird but I’m sure it has nothing to do with me,” she said quietly.
“That’s bullshit and you should never bullshit a bullshitter, Liv. I can tell by the way you’re avoiding the question that this was more than just one night and Daniel has been very distracted in the last month. You’ve been seeing each other, haven’t you?”
There was no use denying it. “We were having sex, not seeing each other, but it’s over now.”
“Why?”
Olivia had had enough. She didn’t want to discuss this, especially not with the man responsible for the real problem in hers and Daniel’s relationship. “Come on, Liv,” he coaxed. “I can tell that you’re not happy about it being over and if Daniel’s behavior this last week is any indication, he’s not happy either. So come on, tell me what’s going on.”
She slammed her hands down on her desk and stood angrily. “It’s because of you, dammit! Daniel can’t get over the fact that I had originally tried to seduce you! He’s fixated on that little bit of information and sex is like some sort of punishment where he’s bound and determined to make sure that it’s him that I’m with – mentally and physically – and you know what? It’s exhausting! It doesn’t matter how great the sex is, I refuse to spend the rest of my life proving that I made a mistake! There, are you happy?”
David stood and walked around the desk and gave Olivia a hug. “I have to admit that I’m flattered that you even wanted to seduce me,” he said lightly and Olivia squirmed from his embrace and punched him in the arm. “But,” he began as he took a step back, “in Daniel’s defense, he’s the way he is because of me. I always swooped in and took the girl away – whether it was a girlfriend or an assistant. I guess I was too selfish to think about how it would affect him.”
“You really are a jackass, David,” Olivia said with disgust. “You are not the man that I thought you were and more than ever, I’m glad it was Daniel in that bed. I’m beyond disappointed in you right now but I would have been sickened if I had slept with you and then found out about this side of you.”
“Like I said, I’m a good actor,” he said sadly. “I never meant to hurt you, Liv. That’s why I kept my distance. I kind of liked that you had that image of me and that we had such a healthy relationship. Hell, you were probably they most normal relationship I’ve ever had with a woman.”
“That’s just sad,” she said and shook her head with disgust.
“Let me help make this right,” he said, reaching out to take her hand. Olivia recoiled from his touch. “Please, Liv; I am solely responsible for this mess and I need to make it right.”
“You’re not solely responsible but you are a huge contributing factor.”
“Then let me help.”
She shook her head and sat back down. “There’s nothing you can do. This is something that Daniel has to get over and I’m not interested in waiting around for the possibility of that happening.”
“I see,” he said, sitting down on the corner of her desk. “So you’re telling me that your feelings for Daniel were just superficial? It was just about the sex?”
She wanted to tell him that he was right but she was never a very good liar. “No. I was really starting to have feelings for him. But nothing I did was enough to get through that wall he’s built around him.”
David stared at Olivia, considering her words. “I have faith in you, Liv,” he said with a smile. “Now come and have a drink with me. I’m meeting up with some of the people from the office – not Daniel. I know they’d love to see you.”
“Oh, I’m not up to going out…”
“Nonsense,” he said, standing and taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “I think that you need to get out for a little bit.”
“Who’s going out?” Tina asked, walking into the office. “Hey, David! I didn’t know you were here.”
“Hey, Tina,” he said with a smile. “I’m trying to convince Olivia to come on out for drinks with her former co-workers who miss her desperately.”
“Oh god yes, she definitely needs to get out.”
“I’m standing right here,” Olivia reminded them both.
“We know, Liv,” Tina said, “and we’re just agreeing that moping does not look good on you and it’s time to get out and have a little fun. What do you say?”
/> Knowing there was no way to say no to these two, Olivia had no choice but to agree.
****
Two hours later, Olivia was glad she’d given in. It was good to see her old friends and she was having a great time. She was on her third fruity, rum infused drink when David came over and took her by the hand. “Dance with me,” he said with a wicked grin.
How many times had she fantasized about a scenario like this and now, knowing what she did about him, it made her a little bit sick. His hand was soft in hers, not large and rough like Daniel’s and the look in his eyes was a little smarmy, not heated and intense like Daniel’s. Damn, she had to stop with the comparisons! She was here to have fun and forget about the man who had consumed her for the last month.
“Sure, why not,” she finally said, taking a final sip of her drink before letting David lead her out onto the dance floor. Olivia really wasn’t much on dancing but the party atmosphere in the club had her jumping around with everyone else and when the music slowed and David pulled her into his embrace, she simply went along with it.
“I’m glad you came out tonight, Liv,” he said into her ear. “I really do miss seeing you every day.”
She smiled. “I have to admit that even though I love what I’m doing and making my own hours, I miss seeing everyone.”
“You know there’s always a place for you at Slade’s. You say the word and any position you want is yours.”
And Olivia knew he was speaking the truth. While that thought was comforting, his arms around her were not. He was holding her a little too close; his breath a little too warm on her cheek and she began to attempt to pull away. David didn’t budge. When she clearly began to struggle, he finally got the hint. Actually, his grip loosened and she felt him tense up, staring toward the door. She followed his gaze and gasped.
Daniel.
There was no denying that he’d seen them dancing together; his expression was one of barely banked fury. Dammit. Olivia stepped away from David and was about to walk toward where Daniel was standing but he turned abruptly and walked out.
She turned back to David and was ready to unleash her own fury on him. He had said that Daniel wasn’t going to be there! Had that been the truth or did he set this whole thing up as some sick and twisted game to taunt his brother? Olivia looked at him, the question on the tip of her tongue, but he was simply standing there with a smirk on his face. “I think that went well, don’t you?”
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 do
or 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.
