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“Ugh, you should get together with Lizzy. Two uptight peas in a pod.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Excuse me,” she said, and rose from the table.
“Lydia, stop itright now,” Jane warned again, and rose to follow her sister.
“I thinkit's time for me to go,” Will said to Charles, and stood from his chair. He glanced pointedly at Lydia, who was now absorbed in her phone, before throwing money on the table. “Sorry to leave you with the mess. Dinner is on me.”
“That isn't necessary. Why don't you stay?” Charles said. “We’ll get an Uber for Lydia, and then the four of us can enjoy the rest of the night.”
“I think it's better if I leave. Give me a call tomorrow, all right?”
Charles sighed. “All right.”
“Tell Elizabeth and Jane I said good night.”
“I will. Thanks for dinner.”
Will walked toward the front of the restaurant, feeling a sense of disappointment at how the night had ended. Not that he’d expected to have a fantastic time, but he expected…well, he wasn’t surewhathe expected, but it wasn’t this.
He passed Jane as she was headed back to the table.
“Are you leaving?” she asked.
“I think it's probably better if I do.”
She shook her head. “I'm sorry about Lydia. She doesn’t always handle her alcohol well.”
“Don't worry about it.” He glanced around. “Where's Elizabeth?”
“She’s outside getting some fresh air. She'll come back in when she's ready.”
They said good night, and he walked out into the cool evening air to find Elizabeth sitting on a bench alongside the building. Her head was back and her eyes were closed, and he felt an odd beat in his chest.
“Elizabeth?”
Her eyes slowly opened and fastened on him. “Leaving so soon?”
She sounded defeated, and he felt a flash of sympathy. “Yes. I told my sister I wouldn't be gone for too long.”
She laughed softly. “It's okay. You can say it.”
“Say what?”
“That you need to get away from Lydia.”
“Oh, well…yes. That too.”
“Are you sure you don't want to stick around for the closing act?” she asked. “Aren't you curious about the encore?”
This time there was no humor in her voice, and he sat down next to her. “She's just drunk. She'll be mortified in the morning.”
“That's just it. She won't care.” She turned to him. “I'm really sorry. I'm so embarrassed.”
“Don't be. It’s not your fault. And hey, a guy likes a good grope every now and again.”
Her jaw dropped, and she burst out laughing.
“What's so funny?” he asked, trying his best to remain serious. “You don't believe me?”
“Actually, Idobelieve you. I just didn't expect to hear that from you.”
She smiled at him, and he felt…light.She’s actually smiling atme. He pulled his eyes from hers and cleared his throat. “I should get going.”
She nodded, and when he stood, she did as well.
“Thank you for understanding,” she said quietly, and grinned. “And for being a gentleman.”
He tipped an imaginary hat. “Good night, Elizabeth.”
“Good night, William.”
