by Jenni James
Yes, we argued a lot. It’s something I came to respect about you—that you wouldn’t take trash from me. You’d give it back, sometimes hurtling the junk at my face, but always giving back. I loved that you weren’t afraid of me, like so many people are. You were smart, sharp, and just exactly what this company needed.
I admit, there were days when I wondered if I’d gotten under your skin and actually hurt you during our arguments. You have such a hard shell, I guess I’d convinced myself that you were fine and business was business. But I see now that I was wrong. And I’m sorry. Honestly, it really worries me that I made you believe we were enemies, that my childish actions caused you to doubt yourself and your worth (and don’t say they didn’t!) so much that you were confused when I proposed.
She snorted at that last part. That man’s ego could topple the Eiffel Tower.
Well, honestly, I was confused too. I’d bought a ring on impulse about a week ago, and then on another whim, I found myself at your door tonight. Seriously, the words were out before I had a minute to realize what I was saying. And then you were angry, and it was just fail. From the moment I showed up at your door, it was all fail. You’re right. I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you, really. I mean, I thought I did. I thought being so close to you all year had shown me so much, but it didn’t show me this side.
What? The side where you get told no?
In my defense, I’ve never proposed before, and—
Eliza sat up. “Shut it!” Her hand went to her mouth. Of course he hadn’t proposed before. He’d be married if he had. Who’d turn him down? No one.
But why pick her? Out of all of Salt Lake, or anywhere in the world, really… why her? She knew he’d answered her, but she wasn’t buying it. There had to be something deeper there—but what? She was completely flabbergasted.
Just then, her phone rang, causing her to jump and nearly knock the laptop off the desk. “Hello?”
“Eliza?” her mom asked.
She rubbed her nose, trying to alleviate her stress, and leaned back in the chair. “Yep, it’s me. Are you okay? What’s up?”
“I know you’re at work and super busy, but I wanted to tell you that I heard from my neighbor that Will Darcy is heading to Las Vegas today, and I was wondering if you—”
“Wait. Wait. What? How does Patty know that Will’s going to Vegas?”
“Oh, so he is?” She giggled.
“I didn’t say that!” Eliza groaned.
“But you didn’t say he wasn’t, which means he is! I can’t wait to tell her she’s right.”
“Mom, seriously. Stop. Where do you guys get your information, anyway?” Eliza was pretty sure they could give the CIA a run for their money. “And why does it matter where Will goes?”
“Because if he’ll be there, then we’re going to Vegas for my birthday this weekend!”
“What?”
CHAPTER SIX:
“Mom, I refuse to go with you to Las Vegas just to track down my boss. No way. No how. Never.”
“Excuse me, Elizabeth Bennet, you will most certainly take me to Vegas—like you promised—for my birthday—”
“I didn’t promise I’d take you there!” Eliza was sounding desperate. She began to flip through her computer to make sure she could clear her schedule, knowing perfectly well she’d never win this battle. The guilt her mom would lay on her was too real.
“You promised to take me anywhere I asked to go because you forgot my birthday last year. Don’t you remember?”
How could she forget? It was quickly turning into the worst mistake of her life. She sighed. “Yes, Mom. I remember.” It looked like she had a couple of meetings on Friday afternoon, but nothing that couldn’t be changed.
“Good. And you’ll be wearing this adorable dress I found at Macy’s the other day.”
“You bought me a dress?” This should be an adventure.
“No. Not yet. But I’ll be shopping this afternoon with Patty since you and I are going to Vegas, and I’ll bring home that dress for you.”
Great. The last thing she needed was some sequined number. “No, Mom. Don’t. This is your birthday, remember? I have plenty of clothes. I’ll be fine. This trip wouldn’t be about me anyway. It’d be all about you.”
“Oh, heckfire it ain’t!” Her mom was clearly beginning to lose it. “You’d better believe that if my daughter brings home Mr. Darcy from Las Vegas as my future son-in-law, I’d be over the moon!”
Eliza laughed. She had to, because crying about this wasn’t an option. “You’re crazy, Mom.”
“I’m not. I just know a good opportunity when I see it. And you’d better believe this trip will be one of the best birthday presents you could ever give me.”
“I have no doubt.” She rolled her eyes. “But can you promise me one thing? Drop the Will Darcy drama. I don’t need this right now. I’m busy, and I have no plans to marry him.”
“Yet.” She could imagine her mom’s grin.
“Good-bye. We’ll talk about this later. I love you.”
“Bye.” Her mom giggled again as the phone clicked off.
Eliza groaned, and then heard a soft tap on the outside of her door. “Come in.” It was Gracie. “Oh, hi. How can I help you?” From the looks of it, Gracie had been standing there for some time and had probably heard a bunch of that conversation.
Nice.
“Uh, Mr. Darcy sent me over to see if you still planned on making the meeting.”
“Was that now?” She glanced at her watch. Sure enough, she was late. “Yes, let him know I’ll be there in just a second.”
While the secretary left, Eliza scrambled to slip her shoes back on and grabbed her leather-bound notebook. As she headed down the hall toward the conference room, she noticed the whole place was empty. Everyone was in that meeting except her, of course. Way to show efficiency. She had never been late before.
“Sorry,” she whispered as she nipped into the room and sat down.
“Important call?” Will asked. Fifteen sets of eyes looked right at her.
Eliza could feel a blush forming. How did he know? “Family issues,” she sputtered out lamely. She never should’ve picked up the phone. He caught her eye as if trying to read her. In answer, her face grew even redder. Now he’s really going to think something’s up. This has got to stop.
She cleared her throat. “So, what have I missed?”
Will went back to business. “I was just letting everyone know I’ve had an emergency come up with the division in Vegas and will be there indefinitely until we get everything sorted out.”
She nodded.
“I’ve also informed them that any emergencies here will be settled by you and Charles Bingley.”
Charles, the VIP, interrupted. “Actually, turn them over to Eliza for now. She’ll come to me if anything’s too urgent. I’m still catching up with the New York building and work crews out there.”
For the past two months, Charles had been flying back and forth to New York, working with the crews and hiring the task force that would be the Revolutionary Innovations team in the Big Apple. They’d had branches across the country with buildings in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, but now they had decided to expand again, and expand quickly.
The Darcy empire had most definitely proven itself worthy enough to be completely established in New York. However, that meant with Charles gone and Will away, the bulk of the work would be left in her lap.
“Is that okay?” Will asked. “You will definitely be compensated for your time.”
Did she have a choice? “Yes. It’s fine. I’ll field all the typical issues, unless there’s something I can’t handle on my own. I’ll try not to disturb Mr. Bingley.”
“Sorry to do this to you, Eliza,” Charles said as he gave a rueful look. He was an awesome guy—just super nice. He’d even taken her sister, Jane, out on a few dates, but ever since this New York building construction began, it’d taken up all of his extra time, a
nd so he’d backed way off. At least, that’s what she reminded herself whenever she thought of Jane’s heartbreak over Charles suddenly putting work first.
“No worries.” She smiled. What’s the worst that could happen, anyway?
The discussion brought up a few more concerns, which were handled briefly before they disbanded. Will caught up with her on their way back down the hall.
“So, are you sure you’re okay with me leaving you in charge?” he asked. “You seemed a little flustered back there.”
“Did I? Again, I apologize for arriving late.”
“Is everything all right with your family?”
“Yep.” She smiled a bit and decided to change the subject. “Well, I hope everything works out in Vegas.”
They stopped at her door. “Me too.” For a small moment, he let his guard down and allowed the stress to show. He touched her arm. “I know the timing is off, and I’m sorry to be dumping everything on you like this, but thank you. Just thank you.” He took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m not even worried. I know you’ll do fine running the show.”
She shrugged. Honestly, she wasn’t that worried either. “Everything will be fine. You go save the world.”
His dark brown eyes softened. “I’ll save it while you run it.”
She would’ve chuckled at his attempt at a joke, but that look in his eyes was too hypnotizing.
“It’s good to have you on board with us. You have no idea what it means to be able to leave like this and focus one hundred percent on finding my sister.”
They were now a team. This unity was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. “I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks. Eliza, I wish…” He trailed off.
She looked away. “Go. Bring her home. And then we’ll celebrate.” Of course she meant everyone would celebrate, but hadn’t realized how awkward it sounded until after it was said. It didn’t matter—Will wasn’t paying attention.
“Right. I’ll keep in touch. Let’s have a quick daily phone meeting, okay?”
“Good idea.” Then she could keep him up-to-date on all the issues, and still be able to pry a bit to satisfy her curiosity about his sister. “Text me once you figure out a time, and I’ll carve it out for you.”
“Okay.”
Good-bye. Neither of them said it. She almost didn’t want him to. There was something so significant happening that she really couldn’t think straight. But it was a teensy bit exciting and a ton uncomfortable and more confusing than anything.
His gaze dropped to her lips, and she lightly gasped.
Would he kiss her again? No. He’d better not—I mean, he’d better do it. No, wait. Not do it.
“Mr. Darcy?” his secretary called from behind, breaking the odd spell. “Your plane arrived early and is ready to leave whenever you are.”
“Thanks.”
Then he was gone. Didn’t say good-bye—just turned and focused on the tasks he should be focused on. And when he walked out of that building, she was surprised to find that he’d taken a tiny piece of her heart with him.
CHAPTER SEVEN:
“So Mom says you guys are going to Las Vegas without me,” Jane joked from across the table at their favorite Mexican restaurant.
“Yeah, Mom says a lot of things I’m not sure about right now.” Eliza took another bite of her salad.
Jane laughed. “So glad it’s you and not me.”
“Ha! You know that if she could find a way to get you to New York to spy on Charles, she’d do it.”
Jane nearly spit out her drink. “Don’t give her any ideas!” She laughed. “Besides, you’re crazy if you think spying is all she’d have me do.”
“You’re right. Can you imagine the humiliation when you just ‘happen’ to be at the same place he is?”
She rolled her eyes. “With Mom.”
Chuckling, Eliza took another bite of the yummy salad. After swallowing, she said, “Come on—it wouldn’t be that bad. I’m sure of it.”
Jane gave her the “look” before biting into her own salad.
“Just think. If Mom had her way, we’d both be married to Revolutionary Innovations,” Eliza said.
Jane snorted. “Yeah, nothing like being married to your work!”
Eliza set her fork down and placed an elbow on the table. “You know, it wouldn’t be a bad place for you to work. The environment is good. Have you ever thought about it?”
“About what?” Jane’s eyes were huge. “Working for Charles Bingley? Are you out of your mind?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’d be a good fit for you.”
Her sister shook her head. “No way. I’m not about to give up my cushy job as a school librarian now that I’ve finally made it there.”
Jane really was unbelievably amazing. With her level of genius, she could’ve had any job she wanted—she’d received offers to train and teach people all over the world. But when their Aunt Phyllis needed a substitute for the elementary school librarian, Jane jumped at the chance to help family out. There were several older teachers who applied for the position, but none with the knowledge Jane had of the new computer system the school district was setting up. So, as the principal, Aunt Phyllis came to her niece first.
“Do you ever worry you’re wasting your life away?” Eliza asked her cautiously.
Jane seemed surprised. “No. Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know—just wondered. Curious, I guess. There are days when I definitely envy you.”
“I kind of really love my job. Sure, I’m not making much money, but the ability to inspire kids to read and get them excited about it—that changes the dynamics of everything. I could be making a ton of money for myself, and maybe I will one day. But for now, I love the idea that for every kid who gets excited about reading, I’ve changed their life. I’ve made them happier, smarter, more confident, and more imaginative. They now can read about many other people who change their own worlds—whether fictional or real, it doesn’t matter. They’re given hope and advice and wisdom just by opening a book… and I’m totally rambling now, aren’t I?” She blushed.
Eliza laughed. “It’s the good kind of rambling. Shows what a great heart you have.” She took a bite and chewed. “And just between you and me, Charles Bingley is a fool.”
“Eliza!”
“What? He is. Any man who would give up you for more work is insane. The end.”
Jane looked at her for a moment. “Thanks. Though, I have to say, I’m curious to meet the man who’ll be brave enough to propose to you one day. I can’t wait to see you knocked off your feet by someone.”
Eliza looked down and cleared her throat. She tapped her mouth with her napkin and stared at her food, swirling it around with her fork.
“What is it?” Jane asked. “Come on—out with it. There’s a guy, isn’t there?”
When Eliza looked up, her sister’s eyes were all sparkly with mischief. Time to nip this in the bud. “There is most definitely not a guy. At least, I don’t think so. I’m certainly not in love with him.”
“Okay.” Jane took a bite and chewed. “But…?”
“But what?”
“But …?” Jane insisted.
Eliza took a deep breath and expelled it, then said quickly, “Will Darcy proposed.”
Jane dropped her fork. It clattered loudly on the plate below. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.” Eliza looked at the fork and then the hand that was frozen in midair. “You dropped your fork.”
Her sister’s voice rose. “I’m sorry. Did you say William Darcy proposed to you?”
“Yes!” Eliza hissed. “Now be quiet. And don’t you dare tell Mom!”
Jane slowly became awake and folded her arms. “How am I supposed to be quiet with news like that? Good grief, Elizabeth! When were you planning on telling people you two are getting married? Or even better yet, when were you going to announce that you actually liked him?”
Eliza leaned over
her plate and whispered frantically, “We are not getting married. I told him no. I can’t stand him. That’s what makes this whole thing so weird.”
“Oh. My. Gosh.” Jane’s jaw dropped.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Oh. My. Gosh.”
“Yeah, I know. You can stop now.”
“Oh. My. G—”
“Seriously, stop.” She held up her hands. “Yes. I turned him down. Yes, he’s totally hot and amazing and like, a billionaire, or whatever. Yes, I know. Yes, he was upset. Yes, I was shocked. No, I don’t want to talk about it. And I swear down that if Mom ever hears One. Single. Word. Of. This, you’re dead. You got that? D.E.A.D.”
Jane crossed her heart with her finger. “I promise on my Anne of Green Gables collection that I won’t tell a soul you completely destroyed Salt Lake City’s most eligible bachelor. And possibly the hottest man in all of America.”
Eliza would’ve banged her head on the table, but there was food on it. Instead, she whined—what else was she supposed to do when her big sister put stuff that way? “I’m sure he isn’t the hottest guy in America.”
“Really?” Jane was on a roll. “Who helped fund the new women’s shelter last month? As in, literally dropped the 7.8 million needed to complete the fundraising and allow them to begin construction immediately instead of in two years? Hmm?”
“Er, was it Will?”
“And whose generous support of Operation Underground Railroad allowed the whole organization to be fully functional for over a year while they saved kids around the world from sex slavery?”
Eliza’s heart dropped. “You’re kidding. That was him?”
“And who donates more to cancer treatments and cures than any of the other charitable donations given in Utah combined?”