Liam
I have this thing next Saturday. It’s a fundraiser for the hospital
Would you want to go with me?
This makes no sense. Liam Darcy is not asking me out. Is he?
Lettie
As a date?
Liam
Yes, I’m asking you out, Lettie.
Does Mr. Darcy have a sense of humor? I picture his half-smile. I think he just might.
Lettie
I’ll go
As soon as Jane ends her phone call, I blurt out, “Liam Darcy just asked me out!”
“Finally!” she gets up from her desk, which backs up to mine. Our office is in a second-story octagonal tower room with faded 1980s wallpaper covered with various mood boards.
“Finally? So you knew about this?”
“I sent him your number a few days ago. It’s been so hard to keep this secret. I’ve been dying to tell you.” She climbs up to the window seat, obviously settling down for a chat.
“But why is he askingme?”
“He needs a plus-one to some fancy party,” Jane says matter-of-factly. She looks like a Disney princess sitting in the window seat we’ve fixed up with thrifted pillows.
“Even though I’m barely tolerable?”
“Give the guy a break. What was he supposed to say, ‘I burn for her?’”
“That would be acceptable.” I lean back in my chair. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“He had no idea you were listening, and he has some rule about not dating employees.”
I consider this; it makes sense. But technically, I wasn’t his employee. Thinking it over, what he said to meafterthat incident was quite flirtatious. If he were any other guy saying stuff like that, I’d be confident he liked me. But Liam, how to explain? He gave off this aloof vibe. He didn’t seem interested, except for that brief charged moment outside the pantry.
“How do I know this date isn’t something Charlie talked him into?”
“It isn’t. I was with Charlie when Liam texted, asking for your number. He was completely shocked. Thrilled, but shocked. Ever since the party, Charlie has insisted Liam has a thing for you. He feels so validated.”
“This is something you guys have discussed?”
“Ad nauseam.” Jane opens a box of Girl Scout Cookies. She always keeps a stocked snack basket on the window seat. “I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to get your hopes up.”
“My hopes aren’t up. I don’t particularly like the guy.”
“Why not? Liam’s a catch. He’s much nicer in small groups.” Jane starts her second cookie.
“This whole thing feels like a joke. Why me? Do you think he’s asking me out because he feels guilty about the whole ‘tolerable’ comment?”
“No, silly. He likes you. Whenever I talk about you, he pays attention and asks follow-up questions.”
