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“So, you are a writer? Have you ever been published?” I ask her.
She shakes her head and says, “No, this will be my first book. It has been in the works for over a year, and I am really trying to finish it. I went through a tough time, and I didn’t have the motivation I needed to get the writing done. But now I am determined to finish it. I need to see if I have what it takes to be like one of the greats.”
I know I am phishing for answers, but I ask, “Do you have a publisher in mind?”
She shakes her head again. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. I need to get the manuscript completed, and then I guess I will do some research and send it to several publishing companies. My friend that you met, Sarah, is in Public Relations, and I think she worked for a publisher a few years back. But other than that, I haven’t given it much thought. I just need to get the words down on paper first.”
Relief spreads through my body, and I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding in. She doesn’t know who I am, or she would have just said so. Thank God. “Wow, which will be such a huge accomplishment when you complete it, Lizzie. What type of book are you writing?” I question.
She immediately replies, “It’s a romantic comedy. I know it’s a bit cliché with all the authors out there that are writing the same thing, but I feel like I can bring a new and unique story to the table. Well, at least that’s how I feel. I haven’t let anyone else read it, so I may just be biased,” she comments with a huge smile on her face. She continues to tell me the synopsis of the story, and I am very intrigued. I love how animated she is when she talks about something that she’s passionate about. I can't help but get a flurry of butterflies in the pit of my stomach at the sight of her in her element.Do, men get butterflies? Sebastian is going to give me so much shit about this when he finds out.She is unlike anyone I have ever met, and I couldn’t be happier about it. She is right. She is unique, a one-of-a-kind woman that will be mine. I can’t deny this chemistry that we have, and I know without a doubt that she is exactly who my father was talking about. I smile at the thought. I know he is smiling down at me, and I think for a moment that he sent her to me. He knew I needed a push.
Then I get another idea. Could this woman be the author I have been looking for? Is she the spark that I’ve been searching for? These meetings haven’t been by chance. Fatebrought us together, and I will make sure she realizes that. I smile and reply, “Your face lights up when you talk about your writing. I can see how passionate you are about it. You’re uniquely beautiful.”
She blushes at my words and mutters a thank you as she takes another sip of her drink. “I’m in love with books,” she says. “Not just contemporary but the classics as well. You already know my love for Jane Austen. But it’s more than love. I get enveloped in the words and am transported to the time of the story. In the secondhand bookstore I work for, we get in many books that are incredibly old, and each day I hope that I will come across a first edition of some kind. But those are hard to come by, obviously." She pauses for a moment and then continues, " Sorry for rambling, I suppose literature gets me excited, and you are very easy to talk to.” She looks surprised at her admission, and I can see a bit of tension in her face.
“You don’t ever have to apologize to me. I like hearing you talk about things you enjoy and are passionate about.” She simply nods her head at my statement. I’m not sure how the energy between us has shifted, but she seems to be putting up walls; I won’t have that. Elizabeth is going to be mine. I’m not sure it was love at first sight, but it was something. Something I won’t let slip through my fingers. “You know, I didn’t want to come tonight. My brother forced me here, but I’m glad that he did. I wanted to see you again after our meeting this morning,” I say in hopes of making her relax or at least make her more comfortable. I’m not sure what’s going on in that head of hers, but I don’t want her to shut me out. I can’t let that happen. I know what this is between us, and if she needs reassurance or time, I will be there to give her just that. But I’m not letting her go.
She seems surprised and says, “That’s what happened to me, as well. Sarah had to beg me to come out. She had these VIP tickets, and she pretty much made me come.” She chuckles.The sound hits me in the heart like an arrow, and I can’t help but smile.
“It’s curious that we both had to be talked in to coming here, and now look at us, meeting for the second time today. I believe I reiterated my earlier comment that this is more than a coincidence,” I say. Her eyes are stuck on mine, she seems to be considering this. “I promise I’m not some sappy romantic that believes in all that, but I also can’t deny this connection I feel toward you. I felt it this morning as well. And I don’t ever feel like that toward anyone, Lizzie.”
I’m about to continue when she says, “I don’t really believe in fairytale happy endings and such. I know I write about them, but they are just fiction. I’ve never had luck in the love department, so it’s hard for me to believe this is more than a chance meeting. I’m not trying to discredit your beliefs; I am just going on experience.”
Ah, so she’s been hurt before, and that’s why she has her guard up. I understand that. I will just work that much harder to show her I’m trustworthy, and I am the man for her. “I’m sorry that you have had relationships that have caused you to guard yourself, but I intend on showing you my worthiness. Elizabeth, these kinds of feelings I’m having don’t ever happen to me. I want you to know that I’m not just trying to get you in bed,” I respond.
Elizabeth opens her mouth to respond when Sarah stumbles to our table. She has obviously had too much to drink. Startled by the appearance of Sarah, Elizabeth says “Sarah, are you okay? How much have you had to drink? Do I need to take you home?” Sarah just starts laughing and stumbling around as she tries to dance to the music. Elizabeth gets up to steady her friend. She looks at me apologetically and says, “I’m so sorry. I really think I need to get her home and into bed before she passes out on me.”
I stand up as well and offer a hand to Sarah. “I’ll help you get her outside through this crowd.”
She smiles and says, “Thank you so much; I appreciate that.” I go around to the other side of Sarah, and we make our way to the exit, stopping to get their coats, and I help them both into them. As we leave the club, the fresh, cool air hits my face. It’s a chilly and mild November night.
“I need to order an uber to…”
Before she can finish, I offer, “No need, I will have my driver take you both home. It’s not a problem.” She looks at me for a minute as shock crosses into her features, and I’m unsure of what she’s thinking. So, I repeat, “It really is no trouble. Please, let me assist you.”
She looks at Sarah who looks like she is about to pass out, then looks back at me and says, “Thank you. I really am grateful for that.”
I really need to get her friend home as soon as possible. “Great,” I reply, as I pull out my phone and send a message to Thomas. “He will be here in three minutes.” She looks stunned. We stand in silence for a few moments as we both hold on to Sarah, and then Thomas pulls up to the curb. He gets out and opens the door as we lead her friend to the car. We slide Sarah inside while Elizabeth and I stand next to the door. “Thank you, Thomas. Will you see that these women get home safely?”
Elizabeth replies, “You aren’t riding with us?”
“No, unfortunately, I have to go back into the club and make sure my brother makes it home as well,” I say.
She nods her head, then smiles. “This is very generous of you. How can I repay you?”
I’m surprised. No one has ever asked to give me something in return for favors; but thinking quickly, I say witha quirk, “How about your number?” She laughs and stares into my eyes. Man, I love her smile. It’s infectious. I just want to keep it on her face.
I can see her trying to decide in her mind, when she finally says, “Are you sure that's what you want? Your offer is way more generous.”
Without hesitation, I reply, "I actually believe I am getting the better arrangement here." She blushes and nods her head in agreement.
"Deal." She gives me her number and goes to slide into the car, but before she can, I kiss her cheek. Her face reddens instantly, and she smiles. She gets in and says, “I’m glad I met you, Miles. Twice.”
I wink at her and say, “We’ll talk soon.” She nods, and I close the door. I watch as they drive away until I can no longer see the brake lights. I turn around and head back into the club to get my brother, but all I can think about is Elizabeth. I knew I would see her again, but never did I think it would be the same day. I chuckle because I know that this is the beginning of something great. I can feel it.
Chapter 5
Elizabeth
