“But I have to work.”
“You can serve appetizers wearing this.” Harper adjusted one of the thin black straps. “In fact, this is ideal. My party will have the sweetest and sexiest server in town. No, scratch that. In the state. Maybe even the country.”
Anita giggled. “You’re laying it on a little thick.”
“Am I? I’m not wrong, though.” Harper stepped back and grinned. “I’m still amazed at your transformation. Dylan won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”
Dylan. She’d forgotten all about him. “I guess I’ll have to meet him another time.”
“Are you kidding? You’re not hanging out in the kitchen all night. You have my permission to mix and mingle as much as you want, and that includes mingling with Dylan, if you so choose. Remember, I’m your boss for the next”—she glanced at the thin gold watch on her wrist—“four or five hours.” She picked up her water and took a sip as though the decision was final.
Anita nodded. She didn’t want to upset Harper. She also realized she didn’t want to change out of the dress now that she had worn it for a while. She felt feminine, pretty, and more than a little special.
“I’m glad that’s settled.” Harper sat down at the vanity and glanced in the mirror, then fluffed her long blond waves. “Are you sure Tanner couldn’t find anyone else?”
“That’s what he said.”
“Hmm.” Her friend moved a lock of her hair behind her ear.
Anita sat on the edge of the bed, making sure she didn’t wrinkle the dress. “What do you mean by ‘hmm’?”
“Oh, I’m not saying he’s lying or anything.” Harper frowned at her reflection, then moved her hair back to its original position. “But . . .”
“But what?”
Harper faced her. “I’ve always wondered about you two. You’ve worked together for a long time. Olivia mentioned that he used to tutor you back in high school. And you both attend the same church and have played on the same softball team.”
Anita squirmed, averting her gaze. “What are you getting at?”
“In all that time, there’s never been anything between you?”
Her cheeks heated. This was embarrassing. There was plenty of spark on her side, just not on his. How could she admit that out loud, even to one of her best friends?
She stood and turned to the small suitcase she’d brought that was open on top of the bed. The T-shirt she’d worn when Harper picked her up was laying on top of her other clothes, and she stared at the hand-paintedMaple Falls, Y’allshe’d painted on the front when she was a volunteer at church camp years ago. “No,” she said, fiddling with the shirt. Suddenly she’d forgotten how to fold clothing.
“Not even a little sizzle? Or a spark?”
She tossed the shirt back into the suitcase. “Nothing.”
Harper pursed her lips. “Then Tanner is an idiot.”
Anita tried to smile, but she couldn’t. He wasn’t an idiot. She was, for pining after him for so long.
The doorbell rang, and Harper stood. “That must be the florist. I’ll take care of the flowers, and you can finish getting ready.”
“I am ready.”
“Your lips need a touch-up. The lipstick is on the vanity.” Harper slipped into her heels and grimaced. “The things I do for fashion.” She walked out of the room, not showing a single hint that her feet ached.
Sighing, Anita stood and went to the table. She searched for the lipstick and sat down, staring at her reflection again. How did a simple cocktail party get so complicated? Then again, she hadn’t had much luck with parties. At least she didn’t have to worry about ending up in a closet with Tanner tonight. Or kissing Tanner. Or doing anything with Tanner except being good old dependable Anita, always ready to help him out.
She stared at her reflection, then sat up straight. She wasn’t a person to wallow in self-pity, and she wasn’t going to let her personal feelings get in the way of making sure she did her job to the best of her ability. She applied the lipstick—Brick Red, the sticker said on the bottom of the tube—with a light hand, then slipped her feet into the shoes Harper had given her, not surprised at the perfect fit.
Before she went downstairs to wait for Tanner, she walked to the large bedroom window that overlooked Lake Hamilton. The sun was still shining, and a few late-afternoon boaters drifted on the shimmering water. She gazed at the peaceful scene in front of her, growing more confident by the second. Tonight was just another part of this new chapter in her life, and she was determined from now on to enjoy every minute of it.
Chapter8
Tanner had been looking forward to Harper’s party, even though he had the usual nerves that came along with each catering gig. He figured he’d eventually lose his apprehension as he gained more experience and more clients. But right now he wasn’t only amped up for the catering aspect or even the opportunity to expand his business. He grinned. He was working with Anita tonight.
