Mistaken Identity

by Jay, Donna

  Nicole scoffed. “Is that supposed to be news? You suck.”

  Realizing her joke fell well short of Nicole’s earlier epiphany, but not wanting to admit it, Kelly pouted. “You’re no fun.” She tossed the sofa cushion back across the room.

  Nicole plucked it out of the air. “Thanks. As for Friday night, some of the guys from Steve’s hockey team are getting together for a barbecue. He said I’m welcome to join him, but he’ll understand if I don’t want to go. Sometimes, all of that testosterone gets to be a bit much.” She screwed up her face. “What is it with guys and booze that turns them into twelve-year-old boys? Frankly, some of the shit they do is damn right idiotic.”

  Delighted to have the perfect opportunity to talk Nicole out of going, Kelly didn’t hold back. “I hear those type of social gatherings can be dangerous.” She plastered on a smile. “And as a responsible adult I must advise against you attending.”

  Once again, the pillow flew across the room, smacking Kelly in the chest.

  “You are such a dork.” Nicole grinned. “And, according to Madam, it’s you who needs to grow up.”

  Although said in jest, the words knocked the wind out of Kelly’s sails. “You’re right. Look at us acting like a couple of little kids playing pillow frisbee instead of twenty-five-year-old women.”

  An angry scowl creased Nicole’s forehead. “Oh, no you don’t! Don’t you dare go there.” She stabbed the air with her finger. “You’re perfect just the way you are. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  Feeling chastised and a little defensive, Kelly asked the question she should’ve asked months ago. “Is that why you don’t like Paula?

  The few seconds it took for Nicole to reply felt like forever. Kelly wanted an honest answer, but dreaded it at the same time.

  “Oh, Kel. I don’t know her well enough to say I don’t like her, but she comes across as someone who thinks she’s better than everyone else. And that pisses me off.”

  Amused, Kelly quirked a brow. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

  And just like that they were back to playing pillow Frisbee, giggling like school girls. It felt good.

  Kelly’s mind flashed back to a day at the beach not long after she’d turned twelve. Her dad had picked her mum up and tossed her into the surf after she’d complained one too many times the water was too cold. She had surfaced wiping water out of her eyes and looking like a drowned rat.

  After a beat, her mum had climbed to her feet, fists clenched at her sides. Rather than go ape-shit at their father, like Kelly and her sister had expected, their mum had sidled up to their dad and deposited a handful of sand down the back of his shorts.

  The girls had burst into fits of laughter, watching their dad waddle toward the water as if he had a giant turd in his pants. Score to Mum!

  The event had been retold at many family gatherings, including her father’s funeral, and was always met with raucous laughter.

  On the drive home from the beach, Kelly’s mum had looked at their father with love in her eyes, and turned to her daughters safely buckled in the backseat. “Life’s too short to stop having fun, girls. No matter how old you get, never forget that.”

  Her mum would’ve been around Paula’s age at the time, thirty-five. It was a sobering thought, considering how serious Paula acted most of the time. It also brought Kelly back to the present and her reason for texting Nicole.

  “Paula might come across as snotty, but it’s all a front. I have the perfect chance for you to get to know her better. If you’re happy to blow Steve off…”

  The twinkle in Nicole’s eyes made Kelly want to groan at her unintentional innuendo. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Paula’s having a potluck dinner Friday night, she said you’re welcome to come too.”

  The suspicious look that crossed Nicole’s face shouldn’t have surprised Kelly, but it did, and, once again, she found herself making excuses for Paula.

  “Her best friend will be there. Perhaps Ashleigh being in town has given Paula a new appreciation for how important best friends are.” Kelly blew Nicole an air kiss to sweeten the deal.

  “I’ll come on one condition.” Nicole smile sweetly.

  It was a look that Kelly knew well, one that lured people into a false sense of security. She dreaded the reply to her next question before the words even left her mouth.

  “Sure, what condition? ”

  “If Madam needs shutting up you’ll let me watch you stuff her panties into her mouth.”

  Two or three years ago the comment would’ve embarrassed the hell out of Kelly. But since dipping her toes into BDSM she didn’t feel the need to defend her sexual desires. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

  Besides, Nicole was fishing, her smile fading the longer she waited for Kelly to take the bait.

  Plastering on a smile, Kelly returned the quip. “Of course you can watch, if that’s what floats your boat these days.”

  Nicole snorted. “Touché. It’s a date.” Her voice rose in pitch. “And, if the actual recipient of your panty stuffing is there, I’m going to sniff her out.”

  “Do you realize how bad that sounded coming from a straight woman?”

  They burst into a fit of laughter and, for a minute, Kelly let herself believe all was right in her world.

  Chapter 6

  After a busy day at the café, Kelly slung her backpack over her shoulders, fired her bike to life and headed for home.

  Exhaust fumes replaced the aroma of coffee that normally stuck to her nostrils eight hours a day, five days a week.

  It had been a good day, devoid of abusive customers. Something about a sunny day seemed to improve people’s moods and being Friday, most customers were too busy looking forward to the weekend to be grumpy.

  At four-fifteen, Kelly coasted up the drive. She parked her motorcycle next to Nicole’s Mitsubishi Mirage in the carport assigned to their flat. Friday was the only day Nicole made it home from work before Kelly.

  She had a little over an hour to make a potato salad—with diced bacon and boiled eggs—shower, change, and book a cab so they’d arrive at Paula’s by six.

  “Hey, honey, I’m home,” Kelly called out when she didn’t spot Nicole.

  The sound of water running alerted her to where Nicole was. Kelly banged on the bathroom door. “Save some hot water for me.”

  “I can’t hear you,” Nicole retorted.

  Chuckling, Kelly dumped her backpack in her room, tied her hair back, and headed for the kitchen.

  At quarter to six, a taxi pulled into the driveway. The driver sat on the horn, even though he could see Kelly and Nicole rushing toward the door.

  “Impatient twat,” Kelly grumbled under her breath.

  If it was customary to tip in New Zealand this guy would need an attitude adjustment. Kelly didn’t receive tips but she sure as shit treated her customers with respect. She believed in treating others how she wished to be treated and that wasn’t like an inconvenience.

  Balancing the potato salad in her lap, Kelly nudged Nicole with her elbow. “Everything okay? You’re awfully quiet. ”

  After shooting a quick glance at the cab driver, who was paying them no attention, Nicole replied, “Even though I shouldn’t care what your missus or her friends think of me, I guess I’m a little nervous. I want to make a good impression, for your sake.”

  The declaration warmed Kelly’s heart. She squeezed Nicole’s hand. “You’ll be fine. As long as you stay out of the bedrooms.”

  The comment made at Kelly’s own expense, earned her a smile.

  After paying the cab fare, Kelly took the potato salad from Nicole and led the way up the pathway alongside Paula’s house.

  Laughter and soft voices grew louder as they rounded the corner. Four women were lounging around on the back deck.

  Two sat in padded deckchairs, their backs to the sun. Paula and Ashleigh were leaning against the railing, glasses in hand, legs crossed at the ankles. />
  The second Paula spotted Kelly and Nicole, she strolled across the deck. Kelly’s heart skipped a beat, Paula looked damn good. The yellow sundress she wore was simple yet elegant. It complimented her blonde locks and hugged her curves.

  As soon as Kelly’s foot hit the top step, Paula greeted her with a chaste kiss. She tasted like wine and summer.

  “It’s good to see you. I’ve missed you this week.”

  “Me too,” Kelly replied honestly. “Sorry about last weekend.”

  Paula held up a hand silencing her. “Let’s not ruin the mood.” She smiled brightly and turned to Nicole. “Come and meet everyone. I’ll introduce you. Kelly can put the food in the fridge and get you a drink.”

  Not wanting to abandon her friend two seconds after arriving, or be bossed around by Paula, Kelly didn’t move until Nicole gave her a quick nod conveying she was okay.

  By the time Kelly re-emerged, Nicole had been introduced to Grace and Colette and, presumably, Ashleigh who was moving the sprinkler around the backyard.

  Her tight skirt rode up as she bent to pull on the hose giving Kelly a mouth-watering view of tanned thighs and a flash of pink panties.

  Not wanting to be caught staring, Kelly quickly diverted her gaze. An irrational sense of guilt stabbed at her conscience as though she’d physically touched the woman when all she’d done was cop an eyeful. Admittedly, a very nice eyeful.

  Her fiancé was a lucky man. Or was he? Perhaps he was a miserable man if their relationship was on the rocks. Dragging her mind from where it had no business being, Kelly turned back to the group gathered on the deck.

  The first person her gaze landed on was Grace. It made sense she was there, considering it was her home for the time being. The next person she saw was Colette. What in the hell she was doing there, other than sucking up to her boss, was anyone’s guess.

  It was a shame the one person she’d hoped to see was missing. “Where’s Lucy tonight?” Kelly asked no one in particular.

  Smirking, Nicole handed Kelly a cold vodka and lime out of the esky bag they’d bought with them. She’d insisted they bring their own booze, so Paula could never accuse either of them of mooching off her.

  Paula’s abrupt reply wiped the smile off Kelly’s face.

  “Out, she has a life, why?”

  Colette, hogging most of the shade provided by the umbrella, and rubbing copious amounts of sunscreen into her pale skin, scoffed.

  It was on the tip of Kelly’s tongue to retort, “at least she has a life, unlike your P.A.” but Ashleigh’s voice coming from behind her, and her warm hand on Kelly’s bare shoulder left her speechless.

  “Chill out, woman, she only asked.”

  Unfazed by Ashleigh’s reprimand, Paula wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’ve had enough heat for one day.” She picked up her wine glass from the top rail of the deck. “Come on, ladies, let’s move inside where it’s cooler.”

  “Good idea,” Grace said. “We’ll be able to eat without worrying about bugs landing on our food.”

  Chairs screeched across the deck like a synchronized chorus of agreement.

  Certain she was the only one who thrived on the heat, Kelly reluctantly followed suit.

  Halfway across the patio, she looped arms with Nicole. “You okay?”

  Slowing her pace, Nicole tugged on Kelly’s arm and spoke in a low voice. “I’m impressed, but slightly disappointed.”

  The cryptic words confused Kelly. “How so?”

  “Thanks to Ashleigh putting her friend in her place, Paula narrowly avoided a panty gagging moment.”

  “Do you have to keep reminding me?” Kelly’s voice came out harsher than she intended.

  The crestfallen look on Nicole’s face made her wish she could take the words back. Since she couldn’t she poked Nicole in the side and put the comment back on herself. “So, have you sniffed out who it was yet?”

  The smile returned. “Not yet, but the night’s only young.” Nicole pulled her arm free and tapped her nose. “I have a theory though.”

  Ten minutes later, all six women stood around the huge oak dining room table.

  It was no surprise when Paula sat at the head of the table. She motioned for Kelly to sit to her left and Ashleigh to her right. Grace fell into place beside Ashleigh and Nicole next to Kelly.

  Rather than be offended by having no choice but to sit at the foot of the table, Colette sat facing her boss looking as happy as a pig in shit.

  If Kelly was the jealous type, she’d take Colette aside and ask if she had a crush on Paula. The way she mooned over her boss verged on the side of creepy.

  As the booze flowed so did the conversation. The atmosphere, for the most part, was light and breezy.

  Kelly played her part when it came time to dish up dinner. The fact most dishes could be served cold, chicken wings, ham, and salads, meant it was far from a chore. It also gave her something to do other than drink.

  While stacking the dishes into the dishwasher, Kelly kept an ear on the conversation in the dining room. Grace held everyone captive regaling them with various events from weddings she’d photographed.

  “Last weekend,” Grace’s voice had an excited edge to it. “The bride’s mother asked me to take some pictures of the bridesmaids’ unwrapping the gifts. She escorted me over to the table, tapped one of the pretty bridesmaids on the shoulder, and in her most prim voice said, ‘Darling, hold up a gift and smile for the camera.’ The young woman blushed, stashed something behind her back and replied, ‘Um, maybe later, Mrs Jones’.”

  “Having none of it, Mrs Jones folded her arms across her ample bosom.” Grace put on a posh voice and spoke like she had a plum in her mouth. “Nonsense, we’re paying the woman to do a job and we haven’t got all night. Now hurry up.”

  When the room fell silent, Kelly stopped wiping out the sink and craned her neck.

  All eyes were on Grace as she took a sip of wine, keeping her audience in suspense.

  When she didn’t lower her glass fast enough, Nicole spoke, “God woman, you’re killing us, finish the story.”

  Kelly didn’t need to be able to see Grace’s face to know she was grinning from ear to ear.

  The table creaked as she placed her elbows on either side of her glass and leaned forward. “The bridesmaid held up a black box with a clear lid.” Grace paused for dramatic effect. “She smiled ever so sweetly and turned the box toward me so I could take a picture of the leather wrist restraints and paddle nestled in red velvet.”

  Nicole smirked and sat back in her chair.

  Collette’s hand flew to her mouth. “What happened next?”

  The fact Ashleigh had her back to Kelly, she had no idea if Ashleigh looked intrigued or dismayed. Kelly made a mental note to ask Nicole later that night.

  After hanging up the tea towel, she crossed the note off her list of things to ask and added it to her list of, “it’s none of your business, Kelly.”

  Grace turned sideways in her chair and answered Colette’s question. “Mrs Jones flushed beet red and grumbled something about kids these days it must be someone’s idea of a sick joke. She stormed off, then stopped and spun back to face me, stating, ‘We won’t be needing that picture, thank you very much, Ms Porter’.”

  Just as Kelly was about to re-join the group, Paula’s words stopped her in her tracks. “That’s the kind of thing Kelly would do.”

  Blanching, Nicole met Kelly’s eyes over Paula’s shoulder. With her heart in her throat, Kelly put a finger to her lips hoping Nicole wouldn’t draw attention to her. As much as she dreaded it, Kelly wanted to hear what Paula had to say. Or more specifically, how much she would say. Would she respect the universal rule—what happens behind closed doors, stays behind closed doors?

  “Last weekend,” Paula continued.

  The hairs on the back of Kelly’s neck stood on end. She should’ve shut Paula down, but morbid curiosity kept her rooted to the spot.

  “Kelly hinted at tying me up a
nd getting her kink on, but then she went and got sick. If she wants to play big girl games, she should learn how to hold her liquor first.”

  There was no mistaking the emphasis Paula put on the words ‘her kink’ implying it was something Kelly wanted to explore as opposed to something they would explore together.

  The realization that Paula had only ever humoured her sat like a heavy weight in the pit of Kelly’s stomach .

  The only person who laughed at Paula’s revelation was Colette and it sounded more like a nervous giggle than a funny ha-ha laugh.

  As if sensing Kelly’s presence, Paula glanced over her shoulder. She had the decency to look embarrassed at being caught gossiping about their sex life.

  The short walk from the kitchen to the dining room table felt like the longest walk of shame in history. Kelly didn’t know whether to be pissed off with Paula or to thank her for opening her eyes. Either way it was time to re-evaluate her relationship.

  Right then, though, her mind was set on being the more mature one of the two, and steering the conversation toward safer waters.

  “Have you always wanted to be a photographer, Grace?” Kelly asked as she slid back into her chair.

  Everyone breathed out at once, dispelling some of the tension in the room.

  “Yep, my grandfather gave me my first camera when I turned eight. For the next ten years I drove my family crazy. Everywhere we went I had the lens to my eye, making my brother and parents pose and smile for the camera.”

  “What about you?” Colette asked Kelly, disdain written all over her face. “Have you always dreamed of being a dish washer?”

  Nicole whipped around so fast, her face was a blur. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  Touched that Nicole jumped to her defence, but determined not to let Colette goad her, Kelly plastered on a smile.

  “It’s okay,” she reassured Nicole. “My Dad used to take me in his truck with him and we’d stop at roadside diners along the way. The waitresses were always so nice to me, and I loved the ambience of café’s, so yes, I guess I did always want to work as a barista.”

  As if she was on a personal crusade to get under Kelly’s skin, Colette tried again. “Wow, a truck driver, your family sure is ambitious.” She snorted. “Seriously, what kind of job’s that?”