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After Georgie left, Will led Elizabeth into the house and they settled on the couch.
"And how was your day, Miss Bennet?"
The flowers slipped into her mind, but she pushed them away. "It was fine. Lydia called when I was on my way home from work.”
“What’s going on with her?”
“She told me she signed up for classes at the community college, and she’s moving back home.”
His eyes widened. “With yourparents?”
“Yes. I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea, but her reasoning is sound; she lives in a party house, and she knows she can’t be there while she goes to school.” She shrugged. “It seems like she’s making an effort to get it together, but she knows it’s about more than talking the talk; she has to walk the walk. She wants to get together for lunch or something next week. We’ll see what happens. And how was your day, Mr. Darcy?”
"Productive."
"Productive is good. Is something bothering you? You looked a bit pensive when we were talking about California.”
"I’m fine, I was just…thinking about my behavior with Richard and Lauren. I couldn't have been more wrong about her, and I feel awful about it. I know Richard isn't angry anymore, but I did some damage."
"But you’ve moved forward. You apologized, and you’re getting to know Lauren and making the effort to smooth things over. I’m sure they noticed that and know it’s sincere.”
“I hope so. Are they going on a honeymoon? I didn't even ask."
"Richard mentioned something about surprising Lauren with a trip to Hawaii. He said it's a good time in the pregnancy for her to travel, since she's feeling better."
"Wow, that’s great. Have you ever been?"
She shook her head. "Never."
"Me, either. We'll add it to our bucket list."
"I didn't know we had one."
He grinned. “I guess we do now."
* * *
Elizabeth ran through the winding,tree-lined lanes of New Seabury on Sunday morning. She’d been staying at Will’s house all week, since they’d returned from California. Her clothes were in his closet, her lotions and scrubs in his bathroom, and he’d happily given up some drawer space. Usually, if she needed clothes or things from her house, she stopped after work before heading to Will’s house. He’d offered to stay with her, knowing it would be easier for her as far as work was concerned, but assured him she wanted to stay with him. She’d just neglected to mention why.
She thought the flowers she’d received from Bill upon her return from California would be his final unwanted gesture, but she was mistaken. Another arrangement had shown up on Thursday, but this time it went to her house. The flowers had been left on her back deck and looked haphazardly placed in a vase with a small note taped to it. She realized almost immediately that they hadn’t been delivered by a florist.He’dbeen there—again. This time, his message seemed more urgent, though she wasn’t sure if it was her overactive imagination or his actual words that gave her that impression.
Elizabeth,
Please give me a chance to explain everything to you.
I know you’ll understand once you hear me out,
and I know you have it in your heart to forgive me.
Yours,
Bill
It seemed he wasn’t only hoping to extend an apology but was actually anticipating giving her a full explanation of his actions, which only meant one thing: contact. Whether by phone or in person, she couldn't let it happen, and she was determined to avoid being home as much as possible.
She dreaded the conversation she needed to have with Will, but Bill was a problem she needed to deal with, sooner rather than later. She needed to tell Will what was going on, and she would have to do it today.
* * *
