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7
Elizabeth left Woods Hole on Thursday afternoon feeling more energized and engaged in her work than she’d felt in weeks. Becoming project manager and being asked to oversee the grant were huge accomplishments, though she could do without the mountains of paperwork that went along with them and kept her from being out in the field and getting her feet wet—literally.
The marsh at the mouth of the reserve had long been considered a gold mine for research on climate change, and a couple of years back, she’d assisted with setting up a program that allowed scientists to come together and build off each other's research. Today, she’d been lucky enough to be the guide for a group from an off-Cape conservation center. They were doing a collaborative project, focusing on nitrogen run-off in coastal areas and its effects on the ability of the wetlands to store carbon. It felt wonderful to be outside in the fresh spring air, listening to the birds and trudging through the mud.
The only downside to her day was dealing with Bill. When she’d arrived this morning, he’d presented her with flowers, placing them on her desk with a flourish and rendering her speechless. She eventually squeaked out a thank-you, and when it appeared he was gearing up to ask her out again, she quickly excused herself and went to the restroom.
She was tired of turning him down, and couldn’t understand why he kept asking—especially after seeing her with Will.
The office gossips had attacked early, then left her alone. She gave them perfunctory answers, somehow making them believe she’d shared a lot with them, when in reality, she’d given them no information at all. She was good at bullshitting when it was necessary.
Lunch was spent enjoying the rest of her lobster roll and thinking about Will. In a way, she was glad he’d gone to Boston, because she had a feeling that if he’d stayed on the Cape, she might have ended up seeing him tonight—and probably tomorrow night too. He seemed determined to sweep her off her feet, but she was equally determined to keep them firmly planted on the ground.
A little breathing room is okay.
She was back home and about to dive into her dinner when her phone rang, and she saw Jane’s face flash across the screen.
“Hey, Sis.”
“Hi, Lizzy. What's up?”
“Not much. How are you?”
“I’m well, thanks. How was work?”
“Great. I got to play in the mud, which was a nice change from being stuck at my desk.”
“Oh, that's good. You always were one for playing in the mud.” Jane paused. “So…what else is new? Anything?”
Elizabeth instantly knew something was up; Jane was never good at being subtle. Before she could respond, Jane spoke again.
“Sooo…Charles had lunch with Will today. Are you seeing each other? Because Will definitely gave Charles that impression.”
Elizabeth sighed, knowing it was time to come clean. “We went out to dinner Monday night, and I've seen him and talked to him a couple of other times, but I really don't know what we’re doing.”
“Did you kiss him?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “What does that have to do with anything?”
The ear-splitting squeal that came out of the phone was followed by Jane’s excited rambling as she gave herself credit for fixing them up.
“You didnotfix us up! We were notfixed up. Furthermore, we might not even be awe.”
“Oh, you're awe,all right. From what Charles says, Will doesn't do anything by halves.Nowdo you find it a little easier to believe that he and Charles could be best friends? I told you he was nice.”
“I guess I had to find out for myself.” Elizabeth thought about the arrogant, reticent Mr. Darcy and laughed softly. “Who knew there could be so many sides to one person?”
“Not to mention that one of his sides happens to be that he's hot. When are you seeing him again?”
“Maybe this weekend? He's coming back to the Cape Saturday morning.”
“Wait, why don’t you come here? Maybe he’ll stay in Boston, and the four of us can go out. It would be fun!”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. It seemed entirely too soon to start making such grand plans, and with another couple to boot, even if the other couple was Jane and Charles.
“I don't know, Jane.”
“Come on, Lizzy. You can stay with me. I bet he'll think it's a great idea. Charles can call him, and we'll take care of everything.”
