“She goes here, to the U. She was walking home last night and I guess some guy was following her and she got spooked. She doesn’t know many people and panicked. She asked if I’d keep her company on text until she got home. That was just a thank you message.”
“Sure it was.”
Linc narrowed his eyes at his friend. “It’s not like that.”
“Methinks the Linc doth protest too much.”
Linc dropped his clothes into the laundry basket and grabbed a towel. Having a shower would keep Russ off his case about the mystery girl for a solid fifteen minutes, twenty at best, but knowing his friend he wouldn’t give up until he knew who she was and how she rated.
Linc would never live it down if she was anything lower than a five, but for once, he didn’t care. It was kinda nice talking to someone who had no idea who he was or what he was about. To her, he wasn’t the son of an ex-NHL star, or a hot-shot hockey player. She didn’t want him for his status in the team or because she thought he would look hot on her arm in a suit. To her, he was just Mr. Darcy, some random dude she happened upon by accident and maybe for once, that might even be enough.
***
Showered and clothed, Linc’s growling stomach was demanding food, but neither he nor Russ had picked up groceries the day before so he’d need to venture out into the world before he could cook anything. He grabbed his wallet and phone where a message awaited from his mystery friend.
Elizabeth Bennet: I guess you’re right. It’s way too easy to be hard on yourself. Anyway, have a good one.
Linc: Question: What are your dinner plans?
Linc: Okay, whoa, wait. Rewind. I’m not asking you to have dinner with me, I need inspiration.
Linc: And maybe a recipe.
Fucking idiot, stop talking.He couldn’t type and walk without risking a concussion, so he sat on the floor and did some stretches while he waited for her to reply.
Elizabeth Bennet: I’m having mac and cheese with green beans.
Linc: Like… Kraft? I can totally do that.
Elizabeth Bennet: LOL! No. Like, from scratch.
Linc: Wait. You’re about to blow my mind. You mean mac and cheese doesn’t come from a box?
Elizabeth Bennet: That’s right, Mr. Darcy. Didn’t your mom or sisters teach you how to make mac and cheese?
Linc: I make the best grilled cheese in the Midwest, but it’s one of only a few dishes I’ve mastered. What do I need to make this bizzare not-from-a-box mac and cheese you speak of?
Elizabeth Bennet: We have to have a grilled-cheese-off some day. I make a mean grilled cheese. How fancy do you wanna go with your pasta?
Linc: How fancy areyougoing?
Elizabeth Bennet: Oooookay, but don’t say I didn’t offer you an easier way… You need to make a roux: butter and flour. You need milk, cheese (I prefer a mix of Monterey Jack, gruyere and sharp white cheddar), wholegrain mustard, panko breadcrumbs and pasta.
Linc: Miss Bennet I think you might have gone beyond my level of ‘fancy’, this sounds bougie.
Elizabeth Bennet: Cheese is my favorite food.
Linc: Doing my best not to make a cheese joke right now, but it’s too Gouda to pass up.
Linc: You’re never answering me again now, are you?
Linc: Okay, I’m heading out to the store. You’re on the hook now, though. I’m going to text you around 5PM. I’ll seem cool on the outside, but inside I’ll be in a blind panic about how to make the bags of ingredients you’re making me buy turn into real food. You have to answer and tell me how to make the mac and cheese or I’ll starve and my death will be on your conscience.
Elizabeth Bennet: It’s a date.
I guess it kinda is.
***
