AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The feeling is mutual,” Theo said, but it didn’t sound like he was pleased at all. I couldn’t tell if that was because he disliked them or if it was because he really was a block of ice when it came to his work. “Gentlemen, my date for the evening, Felicity Harper.”
“Nice to meet you.” I smiled.
“You are beautiful.” One man took my hand and kissed it. Theo and I both tensed at that. This is not the nineteen hundreds. If I don’t offer my hand, please don’t take it.
“Are you a model?” another asked excitedly.
Someone else cut in before I could speak. “No, definitely an actress. I’m sure I’ve seen you in passing. You were….”
“A waitress,” Theo said for me.
“Oh, you played a waitress? In what movie?”
“I didn’t play a waitress. I am one. Jefferson’s Diner on McArthur. We have the best short cake in town.” I grinned, glancing at Theo, who was just as amused as I was.
They all looked at him, not sure if it was a joke or not.
“She’s being modest. She isn’t just a waitress. She has several odd jobs. What are they again? A call operator and—”
“A credit card phone representative and high school janitor. I even worked as a Disney princess once.”
“That’s so good of you,” one of them said, though it sounded condescending. “We’re looking forward to your upcoming gala, Mr. Darcy.”
“I hope it amazes. If you’ll excuse us, I owe Ms. Harper a dance.” He didn’t wait for their reply as he led me into the space near the pool where other couples were dancing. The men slowly broke up into different pairs and started talking, gossiping with others.
It was then I realized his plan. “By the time we finish this dance, almost everyone will keep their distance from me.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“You did all but drag me here, so it’s the least you could do.” I didn’t want to talk with them. I hadn’t said it, but he knew.
“Which Disney princess were you?”
“Belle from Beauty and the Beast.”
“She isn’t really a princess, you know.”
This time it was me who rolled my eyes and laughed. “Do not ruin children’s fairytales. It upsets them. I learned that the hard way.”
“Oh, I have to hear this story. I’m guessing you weren’t a princess for long.” He was trying not to laugh, but I could still see it in his eyes.
“If you must know, I did that little girl a favor. She wanted me to make a wish with her so she would meet a guy just like the beast. And I respectively and honestly told her she should want better than a man who kidnaps her father then holds her prisoner in a castle.”
“And how did the little girl react to this wisdom?” he asked.
I frowned. “Unreasonably. She cried and said I wasn’t the real Belle. Her mother filed a complaint, and all of a sudden I was the bad guy. Are you laughing at me!”
“I was trying hard not to, but really, who gets fired from being a princess?” he said with a wide smile.
He was so handsome.
“She’s not a real princess, remember? She’s a woman with Stockholm Syndrome.” And the moment I said it, I laughed too. I couldn’t believe we were having a conversation about Disney right now.
“Can an old man cut in?”
We both twisted around to face a man with salt-and-pepper hair, blue eyes, and a charming smile. He stood just a few inches shorter than Theo, but he had pride and a regal air about him. Like he was a king or something.
“Felicity, this is my father, Arthur Darcy.” Theo took a step back. “And you may cut in if my date agrees.”
