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Her thoughts wandered back to the argument she’d witnessed. Did he really feel that way? She’d shared her past with him, all of the details of that horrible time when Jason had left her, finding out she was pregnant, and then miscarrying…
She shook her head and lowered her eyes, feeling the sting of tears. The gems in her bracelet sparkled, reflecting the glow of the lamps in the park. The man chastising Richard and the man who’d gifted her this bracelet were worlds apart.
She sat there for quite a while, lost in thought, and when she pulled out her phone and glanced at the time, she was surprised to see it was almost eleven. She was about to put it away when it rang, and she saw it was Will.
“Hello.”
“Where the hell are you?”
She started at his tone; anger was not what she’d expected, and it instantly put her on the defensive. “I told you, I went for a walk. I needed some air.”
“You needed air. That's great. You're out walking around Boston at eleven o'clock at night.”
“Excuse me, but I used to live here too, and I know exactly where I am. You don't need to yell at me.”
“I've been sitting in the lobby for an hour waiting for you.Worryingabout you.” His voice lowered to its normal tone. “I didn't go out looking for you because I assumed you wanted to be left alone.”
“I did. I still do.”
“God, Elizabeth, can you please just come back to the hotel? It’s not safe for you to be out walking around. Where are you?”
She’d already put her shoes back on, and was slowly walking out of the park. “I'll be there in a few minutes.” Without waiting for a response, she hung up.
He was waiting for her just inside the main doors of the lobby. His bow tie hung loose from his collar and he looked disheveled, but his relief at her return was palpable.
“Where's Georgie?” she asked.
“Gone. Matt promised to deliver her home safely.” He cleared his throat. “Um, Charles and Jane are still here, although a lot of people have already left.”
She needed to find her sister and apologize. “I'm going in to find Jane.”
She walked away from him and made her way into the ballroom, and found Jane near their table.
“There you are! I was worried about you,” Jane said. “What the heck is going on?”
“I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. It's a long story. Can we talk tomorrow?”
“Of course. Are you sure you're okay? Do you need to stay at my place?”
“I appreciate it, but no, I'm fine. We'll be fine.” She wished she felt as sure as she sounded.
Will came up behind her. “Ready?”
She nodded and hugged Jane. “I'm so happy for you,” she whispered in her sister's ear. “Charles is a great guy. You're very lucky, but he's even luckier.”
Jane held her tight. “Will is a great guy too. You and I are both lucky.”
Elizabeth’s eyes traveled to Will, who was now in an earnest conversation with Charles. She watched as the men shook hands, Will reaching up with his other hand to grasp Charles's shoulder.
“Work it out, okay?” Jane advised quietly.
Elizabeth nodded. “We will.”
* * *
Jane and Charleshad opted to stay at the benefit a little longer, enjoying their own little celebration, and Will insisted they use the limo; it was the least he could do.
He hailed a cab, and the ride home was painfully silent. Elizabeth stared out the window at the passing scenery, uninterested in having any conversation. When they arrived home, she climbed out and walked ahead of him to the door of the townhouse while he paid the driver.
