“I know. I’m so happy!” Jane keeps staring at her ring. She’s so adorably content that I hardly mind that I have to see Liam Darcy again.
His chief object was by delicate attentions to recommend
himself to her. —Pride & Prejudice
8
After brunch, I call my cousin. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I can’t go to a party at Liam’s house in anything that’s not amazing. After I explain the whole situation to April she says, “Let me get this straight. You hate the guy, but you also want to make him jealous.”
“Precisely!”
“I’m on it. I sort of have a similar situation here.”
“With Freddy?” Freddy is April’s top-secret ex-boyfriend. Top secret because nobody knows they were dating at the height of April’s career. They were engaged years ago, but her dad made a big fuss about him not being famous enough. Joke’s on him because now Freddy West is a household name, and April’s more of a fading star.
“He might be dating Rosie,” she says.
“One of the Musgrove twins? Aren’t they still in high school?” I ask with disbelief.
“Seems like it. But no, they are both college grads—like me.” April recently graduated from Iowa State and moved back to Beverly Hills.
“April! How dare he!”
“He can do whatever he wants. Freddy owes me nothing. I’m just saying I understand dressing for an ex.”
I don’t bother explaining that Liam’s not an ex. Rather, I listen as April tells me more about how painful it is to see Freddy again and have to sing a duet with him at her sister’s wedding. Why are men always so disappointing?
In three days, a whole parcel of clothes arrives, thanks to April. Charlotte unpacks the box giddy with excitement. The engagement party, a garden dinner, is more casual than the gala. I’m debating between a tea-length sundress and a silk jumper. I go with the sundress because it’s comfortable, and I look awesome, though I must admit the red gingham has serious farmer’s daughter vibes. But I don’t care, I love it too much.
The night before the party, my phone buzzes. I read Noah’s text and groan.
Noah
Sorry! Can’t make it
“What’s wrong?” asks Char, who is painting my toenails red for the cute peep toe wedges that I’m borrowing from her. Another text comes through.
Noah
Food poisoning??
So that’s that. Noah is standing me up. I don’t even bother replying. Maybe I should say something nice. But I highly doubt he has food poisoning. He just doesn’t want to see Liam Darcy again. And I don’t blame him. I’m not sure I can face Liam.
“Noah just canceled,” I tell Char.
“I knew that guy was shady. I bet all the stuff he said about Darcy isn’t true.”
“Who knows? Maybe? What matters is: I don’t have a date. I don’t want to go without a date.”
“I don’t see why you need a date,” says Char. “‘A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.’” Char says quoting Gloria Steinem as she often does. “Show Liam that you’re thriving by yourself.”
“Am I thriving?”
“Absolutely, your books are selling like hotcakes. And I have a good feeling about this next one.”
“I’d still like a date. Any idea where I could find one at such late notice.”
“I mean, that’s tough with the party tomorrow,” says Char. “Unless... ” my roommate breaks into a devious grin. “Oh, this might be good. So good.”
