“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you Sunday morning, she and I are long over. We are entirely different people now. Besides, I hate to state the obvious, but we are both getting married tootherpeople.”
“Still ... it’s been in the back of my mind, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a smidge jealous.”
“Don’t be. Sure, Lizzy and I have a history, but it’s you and me who made a pact and signed an agreement. You’re wearing the ring, and I don’t break contracts unless there is irrefutable, solid evidence of malfeasance or deception by either party.”
“After all these years is that what I am to you, a contract?”
“Of course not. You’re one of my oldest friends who has stood by me during the most tragic times of my life. I care for you like I care for Charlie, maybe even Georgiana. You mean the world to me, Beanz.”
“But not enough to love.”
“Stay the course, and I’ll make you a very wealthy New York City socialite in the process. Isn’t that what you wanted from the outset?”
“I repeat—a marriage without love.”
“Yes, without romantic love.” He sighed. “Don’t tell me suddenly you want feelings we both swore not to have for the other. You’ve known this stipulation for years. I’m incapable of romantic entanglements.”
“You weren’t always.”
“Thanks for turning the knife.”
“What are friends for, honey bunny? Forget I said anything. Are we still on for Thursday dinner with your cousin Rick?”
“Of course. He’s looking forward to it.”
“But are you?”
He shrugged. He hardly knew Rick since his cousin joined the army years ago. “Yeah. Sure. It’ll be good to catch up. I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“William ... do you remember when you were fifteen and you and Charlie took me to the Bronx Zoo to see the baby chimpanzee?”
“Sure.”
“It was the best time of my miserable childhood, and I just want you to know, I never forgot it or all the other thoughtful things you did for me over the years.”
“You were a good kid.”
“Thanks. So were you.”
“I’ll see you later?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she said, a little defeated.
He hung up the phone, feeling like a real heel. One for lying to Rick about being in love with Caroline, and two, for not having a bona fide commitment for lunch other than a keen pursuit of something remarkable bubbling up in the back of his mind. He also felt terrible fornothaving romantic feelings forhis childhood friend. She wasn’tjusta contract, and he did care for her even if he was experiencing cold feet about the whole agreement. Seeing Lizzy had knocked him back, shaken his reserve, challenging unbendable positions on so many things. Yes, the pain had resurfaced but so had color and light as well as his passion and desire! There was no need to hurt Caroline by sharing his confusing feelings, but he did need to talk to someone about them instead of trying to deal with them on his own. He needed time to sort everything out and had zero experience or navigational skills at this unexpected winding fork in his ordered life.
“Amanda,” he called out.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.”
“Please give the Cannova Properties file to Jamison. The CEO is expecting an offer, and I trust Jamison to take the helm on the relationship going forward. I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the day.”
Giving him a dubious look, she asked, “Can I reach you on your mobile?”
“Not today.” He softly smiled. “That’s what I have a CFO for, right?”
“Are you sure?”
He chuckled. “Yup.”
