One of Us Is Dead(22)

“So, everything’s good between you two?” Crystal asked.

“For now. Listen, I hope you know it’s not typically like that. Times are tense and stressful right now. It’ll calm down,” Jenny said.

I wasn’t too sure of that. Once Shannon found out that Olivia had removed her as chairwoman, all hell would break loose.

Crystal nodded. We clinked glasses, finished our drinks, and then grabbed another.

“Speak of the devil. There she is.” Keisha pointed across the room at Olivia. She was dressed in a lacy red halter dress with a train. The back was so low, you could almost see her ass crack. Her hair and makeup were beautifully done, so I assume she apologized to get Jenny to come over and fix her up for this event, because we all knew Olivia couldn’t do anything for herself.

“Be nice.” Jenny playfully swatted at Keisha. They exchanged tight-lipped smiles as if they had some sort of understanding as to how they were going to get through this evening. I wished I was in on it. I never enjoyed these types of extravagant soirees, but Olivia thrived on them. They reminded me of staging a home. It was all a fa?ade. When you sold the house and removed everything from it, it was empty. That’s how these events felt, entirely vacant. Olivia acted as if they were specially put on for her and not for the people we were honoring or the charity we were raising money for. She waved and smiled at people as if she were the queen of England.

“Olivia sure loves the spotlight,” Crystal commented.

“She thinks she is the spotlight,” Keisha quipped.

Olivia and Dean made their way through the crowd. Dean walked straight up to Bryce and Mark, who were still bellied up to the bar. They shook hands and ordered more scotch. Olivia waltzed up to us and said hello. She planted small pecks on our cheeks as she gave us these awkward half hugs. She was trying to make nice . . . or pretending to make nice. I couldn’t tell.

“I wanted to thank you again, Jenny, for coming over last minute. I have never felt more beautiful,” Olivia gushed, and I rolled my eyes. Olivia was the queen of handing out compliments to herself.

“It was no problem.” Jenny nodded.

“And I want to apologize to you too, Crystal, for my outburst earlier this week. There’s no excuse for my behavior, but I had just gotten my period and I thought Shannon was attacking you. I’ll always stand up for the weaker person. I’m sorry.” Olivia placed her hand on Crystal’s arm.

Olivia was also the queen of not actually taking responsibility for her own actions and adding a dig to everything.

“It’s fine.” Crystal took a large gulp of her drink.

“And Karen, I heard you closed on that mansion over on Foxcroft. Congratulations! You know I don’t work, but that sounds like it’s probably an amazing accomplishment,” she said with a toothy grin and a chuckle.

Another dig. But at least she tried.

“It is.” I took a sip of my drink.

“So, ladies, who are we saving this week?” Olivia laughed.

Jenny and Keisha exchanged looks. They slightly shook their heads and closed their eyes for a moment.

“The gala is to benefit at-risk youth throughout Atlanta,” I said. As vice-chair, she should know this, and as the new chairwoman, I worried for the future of the Buckhead Women’s Foundation.

“At-risk youth? They have their whole lives ahead of them. What are they at risk of? Being young?” Olivia laughed . . . at her own joke.

Crystal gave her a small smile. She was learning how to live in Buckhead. I downed my drink.

Olivia looked around the room and then at each of us, up and down, the way an art appraiser looks at a painting, searching for defects.

“You can tell the divorce had a negative effect on Shannon. This gala definitely suffered. I’m glad we made the tough decision we made. You know, end the suffering.” Olivia said, shaking her head.

Keisha, Jenny, and Crystal exchanged confused glances.

I tightened my eyes and then relaxed them. “I think she did a wonderful job. This is the most beautiful event I’ve ever attended.”

Olivia raised her chin. “Well, your taste has always been ordinary, Karen. And I mean that in the most endearing way.”

Keisha raised her chin to match Olivia’s. “I think it’s incredible.”

I placed my empty glass on a passing tray and grabbed two more. I handed one to Keisha. We nodded at one another, exchanging small smiles.

“I need one of those.” Olivia pointed at my drink, ignoring Keisha’s comment. “Excuse me for a moment.” She backed up to tap Dean on the shoulder but bumped into my husband.

“I didn’t see you there, Mark.” Her lips curved into a devilish expression.

“Oh . . . hey, Olivia,” Mark stammered. She brushed her arm past his chest, grabbing a vodka soda from the bar top, and bringing the straw to her lips. She sucked and made a satisfied sound when she finished. Tiny beads of sweat formed at Mark’s hairline. I wasn’t sure what was going on between them, but it was odd. His eyes were locked on her lips. She took the lime from her drink and bit into it, sucking up all the juice.

“Hey.” Keisha tapped me on the shoulder, leaning into me. “Thanks for this,” she held up the drink.

“No worries. Sorry about Olivia. She’s—”

“A bitch,” Keisha interrupted.