“I cannot be-lieveI’m about to walk into this party and act like I’m her,” I say to absolutely no one but myself. “This is the dumbest, stupidest, most ridiculous thing she has ever asked me to do. And I’m doing it.”
I get out through the backseat and half walk/half run up the driveway to the bed-and-breakfast, holding on to the hat so it doesn’t blow away. A quick glance shows there are only a few cars, so maybe Olivia is right. I can get in and get out. The house is three stories and painted a bright blue that would be ugly if this were actually your house but somehow works as a B&B. The windows are trimmed in white and there’s a wraparound porch with hanging ferns between each post. I decide against the front door and walk through the yard toward the side door. I feel like I need to know what I’m getting into before I’m in it.
The door squeaks when I open it, and I peek inside. There are four moms fluffing flowers and arranging food on trays. Their chatter bounces around the room, and I wonder how they can actually follow along with everyone talking at once. Taking a second to check the pic Olivia just sent of Mrs. Woods, I see she’s blond and thin with very straight hair that hits right at her shoulders. I peek inside the room again, and great, she looks exactly like the other three moms here.
I step back out and gently close the door. I move to the side of the building and FaceTime Wes.
“Hey, what’s up?” he says once the call connects. “You look cute in a hat!”
Awww!“You’re pretty cute yourself!”
And then I remember where I am and what I’m doing.
“I’m freaking out!” I whisper-scream. My face is so close to the screen that I’m sure he can see up my nose. “Olivia can’t make it and I have to go in and say hi to some woman named Mrs. Woods because Aunt Lisa said to and Olivia thinks this Mrs. Woods won’t know it’s not her but, come on, of course she’ll know I’m not her but there are four moms in that room and I don’t know which one she is and if the others would know Olivia on sight and did I tell you I’m freaking out.” I finish and have to drag in a deep breath.
“Okay, it’s going to be okay. Don’t panic,” he whispers back. “Can you point the phone in the direction of the moms? I played soccer a few years ago with her son. I think I can pick her out.”
I tiptoe back to the door and open it just enough to hold the phone up. I give him four full seconds before I pull it back.
“Did you see her?”
And there’s that big smile I love so much. “Yeah, she’s in the yellow dress. The other moms will definitely know Olivia, so steer clear of them. Wait until Mrs. Woods is alone, and you’ll be fine. She’s kind of clueless, so Olivia’s right, she probably won’t know you from her.”
I kiss the screen and promise to call him as soon as I’m done. I need to get my bearings and see if there’s a better way in where I can single out Mrs. Woods, so I walk around to the back of the bed-and-breakfast, stopping in front of a white wooden gate set into a brick wall. Peeking through the slats, I see the party is set up back here. It’s like a secret garden. Small trees, flowering plants, and creeping vines flank an old brick path that leads to a fountain in the center. There is a long table set to the side with three huge flower arrangements in big vases—one on each end and one in the middle. I zoom in and get the pictures I know Aunt Lisa will ask for later. Round tables are scattered through the space, each with smaller versions of the main arrangements. I get pics of those, too.
I’m determined to be the best Olivia.
The moms come from inside the house bearing trays of food they take extra care to arrange on the long table. There’s no yellow dress in the mix, so I run back to the side door, hoping to catch Mrs. Woods alone while I have the chance.
I throw open the door and head straight to her.
“Hi!” I say, more loudly than I mean to.
She jumps, but then she gives me a gigantic smile and it’s clear she has no idea who I am. So here goes nothing.
“I’m Olivia…”
“Yes, of course! Lisa’s daughter. You are her spitting image!” Our moms are twins, so I guess that makes sense? Now she’s beaming and coming at me with outstretched arms.
“Thank you so much for inviting me! Everything looks beautiful.”
She pulls me in for a hug, but it’s the kind that still maintains a little distance so as not to knock off our hats or mess up our makeup. “We’re so glad to have you. Sarah is upstairs and should be down any second.” And then she lets go and turns back to the tray of croissants fresh from the oven. My mouth waters just looking at them. “Go make yourself at home. Grab some punch!”
Now I’m stuck. I can’t turn back around and walk out. But I can’t go out to the courtyard because then I’ll have to speak to the woman who will know for sure I’m not Olivia.
“I need a bathroom,” I say. Smooth.
Mrs. Woods points down a narrow hall. “Any one of these bedrooms has a bathroom. Take your pick!”
And off I go. I find the bedroom farthest away and lock the door once I’m inside. I call Wes back.
“Did you make it out alive?” he says as soon as he answers.
“No!” I’m back to whisper-shouting. “I’m trapped in this bedroom. I spoke to Mrs. Woods but then I panicked.”
I’m pacing the room. And sweating. Sweating like a common criminal! I should have used the deodorant I brought for Olivia.
“Just turn around and walk out. I promise you are overthinking this. No one will say anything. Just walk out.”
