She looked away quickly, embarrassed. She wasn’t sure why, but she really wished he hadn’t seen her here, standing alone, just staring at him like some obsessed stalker. Maybe her sister and George would get back, and he would see that she wasn’t alone. She looked over at the bar to see if they were wrapping up. They were standing behind a few people in a group, obviously waiting to order, talking and laughing together, looking to be in no rush to hurry back.
Lizzie dared a glance back in his direction; to her panic, he was heading toward her. She tried to come up with a game plan: should she play it cool? Act aloof? Mean? Friendly? Why did she care? In the end, by the time he arrived at her table, she was in analysis paralysis.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he greeted her. “I didn’t think this would be your scene.”
“It’s not,” Lizzie said honestly. “My sister suggested it.”
“Oh, so she’s around here?”
“Yeah, she’s at the bar with George…” The name caught in her throat. She had forgotten that he, of course, knew George—and that she’d met him outside of his business and that they had bonded over their dislike of this man.
But it was too late. He had glanced over to the bar and recognized him. His jaw clenched. “GeorgeWick?”
Lizzie just nodded. “I didn’t realize you two were acquainted. Have you been friends long?” Will added.
“Not very long, no. We’ve only gone out a handful of times.”Two was a handful, right?
“That man makesfriendsso easily, it’s astonishing…” Will said this under his breath, so Lizzie wasn’t sure if she had heard him correctly.
“What’s that?” she said, but before he could answer, Lidia bounced back to the table.
“Hey!” she said, bubbly and bright, looking up at Will. “George is waiting for the drinks. I thought I’d come keep you company.”
Lidia was looking at Lizzie and Will, asking for an introduction with her eyes. Lizzie thought she’d felt embarrassed when Will saw her all alone. For some reason, she felt even more hesitant to introduce her glamorous sister. But there was no way around it. “Will, this is my sister, Lidia. Lidia, this is Will Pemberley—my new client.”
Will gave Lidia a curt nod, but that was all before he turned back to Lizzie. “It’s odd to see you at a place like this,” he said.
“So you said,” Lizzie said, wondering what exactly was so odd about seeing her out having a good time. Did he think she just existed to consult?
“I think she’s allowed to have a social life just like the rest of us,” Lidia said in a way that made Lizzie unsure if she was flirting with Will or defending her.
“No, of course,” Will said, shaking his head. “I meant that she was too…” But before he could finish, Carolina came over to interrupt.
“Will! We were wondering where you’d gone.” Carolina’s voice dripped with sweetness and Pinot Grigio. “Come on, Alisa is asking for you.” She gently tugged on his arm.
Will took a step back towards his group and then said, “You ladies, please be safe.”
“Don’t worry, Will—they can take care of themselves. They’rebiggirls.” Carolina looked at Lizzie when she said ‘big’, appearing to emphasize the word. Lizzie tugged on her shorts, suddenly self-conscious. He walked away, and Lizzie felt that she could bore holes into his back with her stare. Carolina’s insults were barely veiled, and his ignorance of them felt like complicity to Lizzie. She didn’t ask him to come over and insult her, and yet that’s what he did, whether directly or not.
George came back, drinks in hand, looking over in the direction of Will and Carolina.
“Was that Will Pemberley?” George asked.
“Yeah,” said Lidia. “And some ice queen in Pinot heels. Ugh, Liz, you have to work withthosepeople?”
Lizzie looked at her drink, no longer feeling much like celebrating. “Yeah, it’s fine. I can put up with a lot for what they’re paying me.”
“That’s the right attitude!” George said. “And perk up—don’t let him ruin your night.”
“You’re right!” Lizzie said. But the excitement had been stripped away. She felt self-conscious and out of place until she eventually decided to head back home after only one drink.
Damn that William Pemberley,she thought the whole way.
* * *
From the Desk of William Pemberley
Brickell Apartment- 11:58 PM
