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9
Jane and Elizabeth arrived at Charles's penthouse at six thirty, and Will helped Elizabeth remove her jacket. She’d worn a new dress that bared her shoulders and revealed a V-shaped expanse of skin that peeked out from beneath her hair.
Seeing that Jane and Charles were absorbed in greeting each other, Elizabeth turned to face Will and watched as his gaze followed the low neckline of her dress. His slack-jawed expression spoke volumes.
“Thank you,” she whispered
He cleared his throat. “For–for what?”
“For telling me how nice I look.”
He shook his head and laughed softly. “Apparently, I don'talwayshave to use my words.”
They moved out of the entryway and into the living room, and Charles took Elizabeth outside to show her the view of the city from the balcony. Jane and Will joined them, and the four of them remained on the balcony for a bit longer, until the cool breeze drove them inside.
Caroline arrived a short time later, and Elizabeth immediately recognized her from a picture with Will that she’d seen online. Jane had been looking forward to Elizabeth and Caroline meeting at Charles’s cookout, but Caroline’s plans had kept her in the city.
Caroline was attractive, though Elizabeth saw little resemblance between her and Charles, other than their blue eyes. She was tall, and wore a fuchsia sundress with matching shoes. Her dark hair was swept into a sleek updo, and diamond hoops hung from her ears.
Elizabeth noticed the vice-like grip Caroline had on Will's arm, and then studied Will’s body language. He stood ramrod straight, and the stony expression she’d seen earlier in the day, after he’d talked to Charles, had made its return.
She was surprised to see the way Caroline was clinging to him, but figured they’d been lifelong friends as well, and she waited patiently for someone to make an introduction.
Charles turned to his sister. “Caroline, this is Jane's sister, Elizabeth. Lizzy, this is my sister, Caroline.”
Caroline turned to Elizabeth. “You live on the Cape, yes? Year-round?”
Elizabeth nodded. “In Falmouth.”
“How lovely. The Cape is a quaint, quirky little place. It amuses me.”
“We aim to please,” Elizabeth said, and eyed Will, whose lips twitched.
Caroline turned to Will. “Wedomiss you in town, William. When will you be back? You know it isn't quite the same without you here.”
Will removed Caroline’s hand from his arm and moved to stand next to Elizabeth. “Actually, I plan on being on the Cape full-time now.”
“Lizzy,” Jane interrupted, “will you help me with the table?”
“Of course,” Elizabeth said, happy to bow out of the awkward conversation.
They set the table, then brought the platters of food into the dining room while Charles poured everyone a glass of wine.
Conversation was pleasant enough as everyone enjoyed the delicious meal, and Elizabeth felt Will's hand squeeze her knee under the table. She pressed her hand on top of his and gave him a quick smile. His flinty expression was gone, and her eyes traveled over his face, captivated by his features, and lingered on his lips.
He leaned toward her and spoke quietly. “Asparagus in my teeth?”
She stifled a laugh, not wanting to draw attention. “No, you’re just…very handsome. Sometimes it's hard to look away.”
It was his turn to blush, and she was glad to know she could rattle him as well as he rattled her.
“Oh, what have I missed? What are you two whispering about?” Caroline asked pointedly.
“We’re just talking,” Will answered flatly.
“Of course. Eliza, tell me—what is it that you do on the Cape?”
Elizabeth's eyebrows flicked up. “I prefer Elizabeth. I work at the Marine Research Reserve in Woods Hole. I'm the manager of a project studying the effects of climate change and greenhouse gases on coastal areas.”
