Page 13 of Ardently Yours

Why am I so invested in this? Maybe because I haven’t been on a date in far too long, not since I was back in Chicago. And my parents arranged that date, so…it doesn’t really count since no real feelings were involved for me.

Living in Selah is nice, but sometimes lonely when it comes to having a romantic relationship. Lizzie has been a true friend and made life here less lonely.

I think about how all this started today. I can’t believe I almost risked my life here over some mixed-up feelings.

I can’t afford to do something like that. I can’t get attached to Lizzie in that way, even if it means that I also won’t have a date to the wedding or that I can’t ever be in a relationship here. How can I be in a relationship here when no one really knows who I am?

I wonder if Lizzie would have asked me to fake date her if she knew who I really was, where I come from, and who my family is. Once people found out about my family’s money, they changed and they saw me differently. I didn’t get to be Will Darcy, the baker.

I’d become something they wanted for superficial reasons. That’s why none of my other relationships worked out back in Chicago. I couldn’t have had a real relationship if I tried. That’s why I’m single and better off for it.

I need to get a grip, get back to my job and focus on what I am good at: baking. I snap out of it, popping my earbuds back in so I can get started on prepping my new menu shopping list and stop thinking about Lizzie’s love life.

A text message alert comes through, making my phone buzz in my pocket. I pull out my phone… but I wish I hadn’t.

The text glares at me.

Caroline: I still can’t believe you broke off our engagement. We need to talk about this.

Guilty, I look away from my phone screen.

Lizzie’s not the only one with an ex-fiancée.

Chapter Five

Lizzie

Ipull out my phone as I leave my office, passing through the kitchen absentmindedly. I look for Will, but I don’t see him here. I want to check in with him about when he expects to have the new menu ready.

I need to know so that I can give him the company card and he can go shopping for ingredients. When he’s gone shopping, I’m even more short-staffed than I already am, which means I’ll have to be ready to cover more front desk shifts…on top of everything else I have to do.

I text Lydia, Kitty, and Mary as I walk because I can’t help thinking about one more thing on my to-do list.

Me: I need three helpers for Nic’s wedding. Who’s in?

Mary: Will we get paid??? If so, YES.

Me: Of course. I need helpers for the drinks and baked goods.

Kitty: I’m in since we are getting paid and because you’re my sister and I love you.

Lydia: I’m in too… but not because you’re my sister and not because I love you. I’m doing it for the cash.

Me: LOL. Thanks, I think. I’ll talk you all later when I get home so we can go over details. Love ya’ll.

I close that group chat, realizing I have way to many group chats. But that doesn’t matter right now because I need to text someone else. Someone not in a group chat. George Wickham.

I am mid-text and trying to come up with something flirty but not thirsty to send to Wickham. I need him to come to dinner with me tonight to shock my family and get rid of Billie, but I don’t know what to say…or if I’m trying too hard.

But what else can I do when I’m out of options? Will doesn’t want to be my fake boyfriend, so I might as well shoot my shot with Wickham…who might actually be the man I need, despite what Will thinks of him.

Thumbs hovering over my phone, I lean my back against the kitchen door. I hear Will laughing. It catches my attention. I’m about to push through the door and see what is so funny when I hear Will ask, “Me and Lizzie?” Will laughs again.

I don’t move. I don’t breathe. Why is he laughing? And what is so funny about him and me? I press my ear against the door to hear a bit better.

“You two have some kind of chemistry, or am I imagining things? You could be the right guy for her. She’s tough, but she’s a sweetheart.” That’s Wolfsheim. Why is he trying to play matchmaker?

“She’s great, but she’s not my type. And we work together.” That’s Will. He just politely dissed me.