Lincoln: You know I don’t care what you look like, right?
Elizabeth: I’d love to believe that. With all my heart I would. Maybe someday.
Lincoln: Someday suggests a future, Miss Bennet.
She went quiet again, and he scolded himself for being a dick.
Lincoln: What about we order pizza for seven?
Elizabeth: Sounds like a plan. What’s your favorite pizza topping?
Lincoln: Buffalo chicken, bbq chicken, meat, more meat… I’ll eat anything really.
Elizabeth: But it needs to have meat.
Lincoln: I feel like we should have talked about this sooner but please don’t tell me you’re a vegan. I don’t think my heart could take it.
Elizabeth: LOL! All this talk of your heart… a girl might think you’re emotionally invested, Mr. Darcy.
Lincoln: And what if it’s the truth and that’s what I want her to believe?
Shit. Abort mission. Reverse thrusters. Stop talking.His heart thundered in his ears. He had somehow made it back to his motorcycle in the parking lot, but he hadn’t moved. He leaned forward over the handlebars texting, breath caught in his chest, waiting for her to reply.
Elizabeth: This is a very dangerous conversation.
Fuck it.
Lincoln: Is it though? We’ve been talking a lot, and for weeks. Call me crazy, but I’m feeling real feels here, Lizzy. If it’s just me, then say so. But I really do like you, Elizabeth… whoever you are... I’d like to take you on a real date someday.
Lincoln: Like, in public, a nice meal, mini golf, hiking up a mountain with a picnic… I dunno, even Dave and Busters – y’know, to fuel your competitive nature…
Lincoln: Okay, this is awkward. It’s just me, right? You’re quiet ‘cause you’re embarrassed and don’t want to hurt my feelings?
Shit.He wasn’t used to the insecurity churning in his stomach.
In his everyday life, he was confident and self-assured. He could often tell by looking at a woman’s face whether she was attracted to him or not. But he’d told Elizabeth things he’d never told anyone, he’d let her into a corner of his life that only Russ had ever seen.
Panic crept into his chest, prickling through his lungs. What if he’d let her in and she’d been humoring him this whole time?
Elizabeth: Okay, stand down crazy boy. You’re not alone. I have… feelings… too. It feels, I dunno, weird? Foolish? Stupid? I don’t even know who you are. You could be anyone and in your first text you were looking for another woman ‘cause she left her bra at your place. I mean… it’s hardly the most romantic of meet cutes, is it?
Lincoln: We didn’t bump into each other reaching for the same box of cereal in Target, so what?
Lincoln: I need to drive home before people call the cops on the crazy lurker who’s just sitting with a dumbass grin on his face. And to be honest, I’m kinda afraid of being a douche goblin and scaring you off by saying something I shouldn’t.
Elizabeth: You’re adorable when you’re flustered.
Lincoln: Don’t tell anyone, I have a rep to protect. Pizza. 7pm. I’ll pick the toppings, you pick the movie?
Elizabeth: Oh, Mr. Darcy, that was a rookie mistake, but you’re committed now and can’t take it back.
Elizabeth: Also: I’m not a vegan.
Chapter 8
Cleo
Cleo had never completed an assignment so fast in all her life. She’d hurried home, finished her essay and had a bubble bath in preparation for her date with Mr. Darcy. Despite it being virtual, and off camera, butterflies flapped in her stomach and her head buzzed with excitement. She even shaved her legs, laughing to herself at the lunacy of it all.
