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She didn’t want to be seen with him.
Nobody had ever rejected him because he was a celebrity, and he struggled to wrap his mind around the idea. Even women who weren’t in the movie business were thrilled to be on a movie star’s arm. He had just assumed…
His eyes took in the dark blankness of his flat-screen television. God, he had all this stuff…leather sofas, cutting-edge appliances, a watch worth a cool fifteen thou. And it all meant nothing. He had thought she’d be impressed. He’d assumed…
There was that word again. Assumptions had gotten him into a hell of a mess. He thought he knew her, understood her. But he was ignorant of even the most basic things. Medical school? What the hell?
Upon reflection, though, he could see her becoming a doctor. She was smart, determined, and passionate about helping people. The real mystery was why he had ever thought she would fit into Hollywood.
He assumed that’s what she wanted because that’s what he wanted. Everyone wants to be us. He winced as he recalled the conversation by the swimming pool. Another assumption that had come back to bite him in the butt. In fact, she actively didn’t want to be part of his world.
He had unwittingly made the worst sales pitch in the history of dating.
Although if he was completely honest with himself, he hadn’t made much of a pitch at all. He had assumed that his appearance, his wealth, and his fame would seal the deal. He had presumed that there was no need to woo her. How arrogant could he be?
Pretty damn arrogant, apparently.
When she had warned him that he was skating on thin ice, he had thought she was playing devil’s advocate or fooling herself. But she had meant every word, and Darcy had been too blind to see it.
I really don’t even know who she is.
All the self-doubt, the miscalculations, the despair pressed against him, impossible to ignore. Screaming, howling demons mocked his arrogance. Mocked the idea that she would ever find him desirable.
He should give up—for the sake of his dignity and his sanity. Her feelings were clear. Shatteringly clear. She would never have romantic feelings for him. He would be fortunate indeed to rise to the level of mild distaste. Surely that was reason enough to surrender.
He would never lack for companionship; she could easily be replaced.
But, but…
Somehow this whole disaster had rendered her more intriguing. What kind of a woman turned her back on Hollywood? Nepotism was rampant. She could waltz into a filmmaking career, but instead she had chosen ten years of backbreaking education.
Elizabeth hadn’t dissembled. She hadn’t flattered him. She hadn’t tried to use the situation to her advantage. Instead, she had told him exactly what she thought of him—giving him something he rarely got: bare honesty. Right there. Damned if it didn’t make her even more attractive.
I am really screwed.
A smarter man would cut his losses. A red-haired extra in the cast had sidled up to Darcy more than once. He could bring her back to the trailer for an afternoon of fun, to fuck Elizabeth Bennet out of his head.
But he already knew it wouldn’t work.
All his life he had only been passionate about acting, his career, being a success. Unexpectedly, Elizabeth Bennet had roused a passion that Darcy hadn’t even known about. He was scared that he couldn’t put it back under wraps. He was scared that he didn’t want to.
He could recall the fire in her eyes when she’d yelled at him. The way they’d sparkled. His body responded to the mere memory.
Whatever he inspired in Elizabeth, it wasn’t indifference. Maybe she felt passion for him, too?
There was a perfunctory rap on his trailer door before Charlie yanked it open. “Hey, do you want to rehearse the office scene?”
Darcy tried to drag his mind back to the film, but it wouldn’t stay there. “Did you know that Elizabeth isn’t planning to work in Hollywood?”
Charlie leaned against the doorframe. “Yeah, Jane said something about her sister wanting to be a doctor, of all things.” He made a face. “It takes forever, and you have to carve up dead bodies. No, thank you!”
Did everyone know about Elizabeth’s plans except me? “I’ll be out in ten minutes, and we can run the lines,” Darcy said absently.
“Okay.” Charlie left as noisily as he had arrived.
Darcy continued to sit on the sofa, staring at his empty trailer, the blank television screen. I should just let her go. Look for someone else.
The mere thought left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn’t want anyone else. He wanted her. Only her.
