“Do I look skeptical?” I ask.
“More than a little,” she answers with a warm smile.
“Normally people complain about their boss,” I say. “Or keep their mouths shut.”
“Not Carmen, she’s always talking about her boss,” says Mr. Bingham, his eyes crinkling the same way Charlie’s do. “She’s got a bit of a crush on him.” Carmen’s face turns serious.
“As the head of HR, I find that joke in bad taste.”
“You do gush about him.”
“Of course, I do. There aren’t many bosses out there as good as Liam Darcy. His father, Will Darcy, was the epitome of a benevolent boss, but Liam is even better. He’s given me the authority and funds to run my department the way I want.”
“His aunt, Dr. Debourgh, is a most exemplary surgeon,” interjects Colin. “I’m a favorite of hers. She told me often that she’s never seen anyone tie sutures quite like I do.” He turns to me. “Would you like to see me tie some?” He pulls a length of silk thread out of his pocket. I’m trying desperately not to laugh, I barely hold in the water I just sipped in my mouth. I gulp it down and excuse myself to the restroom.
Lydia gets up and follows me. “I bet you wish you were smart like me and hadn’t bothered bringing a date tonight.” She fans her face dramatically, the same way her mom does. “Such hot men. I got both their numbers, and you’re stuck with the snake charmer.”
“Your mom was congratulating me on dating such a fine young man. She might try to set you up with him.”
“Not likely; I already got the numbers of those rowers. I like tall men.”
“I thought you like short men?”
“I do; I like all men.” Lydia laughs her carefree laugh. And it’s clear to me why she’s never without a date. She’s not kidding when she says she likes all men, and they sense it. I, on the other hand, am highly skeptical of most men. And they can tell that—except Colin, who is hopeless.
I mull this over while I wait in the hallway outside the bathroom. I let Lydia go ahead of me since I don’t need the toilet, I just needed an escape. Not only from self-absorbed Colin’s conversation but from watching Liam and Caroline eating together. I can’t say why I feel jealous. I don’t like Liam. I mean, I absolutely do not. But it’s only natural to be jealous of anyone tonight whose date is not a pompous bore. A short-haired brown and white dog scampers up to me, wagging its tail.
“Hello there, darling.” I pet its head.
The dog looks up at me with soulful brown eyes. I ruffle its ears, then read the tag. “Fitz. I like your name; it fits you.” I giggle at my own joke. Deep laughter rumbles behind me. My heart quickens. I turn around, almost smack into Liam. “How does anyone as big as you sneak up on me?” I ask.
“How does a clever writer make such corny puns?” He’s full-on smirking, leaning against the wall in his linen suit.
“Hey! Fitz liked my pun, and he was my intended audience.”
“He certainly likes you.” Liam’s voice takes on an extra softness when greeting his dog.
“What type of dog is he?”
“An Australian Cattle Dog.”
“Like Bluey?” I ask.
“No, Bluey is like Fitz. Fitz came first.” He pets a very happy Fitz.
“How long have you had him?”
“Nine years. He’s an elderly dog.” He kneels beside Fitz, whom I’m still petting, and for a moment, our faces are dangerously close.
I stand and step back.
“I wanted to apologize.” He stands. Fitz looks between us, wondering what happened to all the delightful petting and ear scratches.
“Liam, you don’t need to . . .”
“Helloooo?” Lydia steps out of the bathroom and looks between us, her eyes wide, her face delighted. “What do we have here?”
She turns to Liam. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?”
