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8
Elizabeth and Jane stayed up after the men left, talking and drinking a little more wine. Jane wanted to know howeverythinghad come about with Will, and Elizabeth filled her in, starting with his unannounced visit the day after Charles’s cookout, when they went out for ice cream.
“Like I said before, I don’t really know what weareyet…but at the same time, it feels like everything is moving really quickly,” Elizabeth said. “I mean, I had it in my head that we would just be friends. It never occurred to me that we would be something more than that. And now itisbecoming something more, and it’s all just a little bit…unnerving.” She lifted her eyes to Jane’s. “He sent me ten dozen roses today. Well, yesterday, technically.”
Jane's eyes widened. “Tendozen? One hundred twenty roses?”
“Yes.”
“Why don't you look happy about it?”
“Because I just–I can’t figure it out. How did he go from thinking I was a nobody and wanting nothing to do with me, to sending me an entire florist? And how did I go from thinking he was an arrogant jerk, to sitting at my desk today, missing the smell of him? It's irrational. I haven't felt this way since…” She paused and shook her head. “I haven't felt this way in a long time. And the crazy thing is, instead of backing off, I want to get closer, even though I’m terrified of letting that happen. There’s a part of me that’s sure I'm just a distraction or an infatuation, and that eventually he'll get bored and just…walk away. What if that part of me is right?”
“Maybe you're overthinking it,” Jane responded quietly. “I know it's only been a week, but it's obvious he likes spending time with you, and Charles said he’s never seen Will this happy. Don’t let the past interfere with what’s happening now. Let itstayin the past.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I know, but you need to try. Will is a different man than Jason. And calling it infatuation doesn't make it any less valid or real. It certainly doesn't mean it isn’t going to grow into something more.”
“It doesn't mean itisgoing to grow into something more, either.”
“Come on, Sis. You need to relax.” Jane squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “Sit back and enjoy the ride.”
* * *
Saturday dawned gray and dreary.Showers threatened, but Elizabeth was determined not to let the weather dampen her mood. Before drifting off to sleep, she’d replayed Jane's words.Sit back and enjoy the ride. She wasn't sure she could, but she would try. Obsessing and worrying over what may or may not happen was pointless.
After having coffee with Jane, she hopped in the shower. But as noon drew closer she felt a flurry of nerves, and noticed Jane eyeing her as they stood in the kitchen.
“What?”
“You look petrified.”
“I'm not petrified. Why would I be petrified? It's not like it's our first date or something.” Elizabeth glanced down at her attire. “Do I look okay?”
The weather was cool, so she wore capris and a white blouse, and grabbed a cardigan to have on hand. She had no idea where they were going, but didn't want to take a chance that she would be underdressed. She’d decided at the last minute to put her hair up, as the damp air would only make it frizzy.
Jane rolled her eyes. “You look great.”
The doorbell rang, and when Elizabeth opened the door, Will’s face lit up.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” She drank in the sight of him, looking handsome in jeans and a brown shirt that accentuated his eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Um, can I come in?”
“Oh. Yes, sorry. I'm ready to go.”
Jane walked into the living room. “Hi, Will.”
“Hi, Jane. Did you ladies have a late night?”
“We were up past two, I think,” Jane answered.
“Good thing we switched breakfast for lunch,” he said, and smiled at Elizabeth.
“Don’t eat too much! Leave room for a good dinner,” Jane instructed them. “Charles and I are heading to Copley to hit the farmer's market in a little while.”
