Darcy in Hollywood

The ambulance lurched into motion. “I’d rather not say.”

George frowned.

“He didn’t actually hit me. I fell down and struck my head. And, um, I’d like to keep his name out of the papers.”

George tapped his pen against the clipboard. “Was it William Darcy?”

She gaped at him.

He gave her a knowing grin. “I knew he was starting to film a new movie at the studio this week. Who else would drive such an ostentatious red Ferrari?”

Had she already put the film in danger? “Please don’t tell anyone. I don’t care about Darcy, but my dad is producing the movie. They don’t need bad publicity.”

He made a locking motion at his mouth. “My lips are sealed. This wouldn’t be the first time the studio had a car accident with ‘John Smith’ driving.” Elizabeth exhaled her relief. “But between you and me, Darcy’s a bit of a dick, isn’t he?”

Finally, someone who understood! “Hell to the yeah! I guess he expected me to fall at his feet, but honestly it’s hard to be starstruck when your body gets a shot of adrenaline that will last until Christmas.”

George leaned closer. “How did he hit you?”

Elizabeth started to shake her head before realizing that made it hurt. “He didn’t hit me. He almost hit me. I was on the sidewalk, and his car was heading toward me. When I tried to run away, I fell and hit my head. His car hit the streetlamp instead of me.”

George chuckled. “The man really is a menace behind the wheel of a car.”

Elizabeth’s thoughts were more than a little muddled. But it occurred to her that George’s reaction was rather…gleeful.

“Do you know Darcy?”

George’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “You could say that. Our families were friendly when I was a kid. We went on vacation together. I played with both Darcy and his sister, although I was closer to his sister’s age.”

Now Elizabeth’s curiosity was piqued. “But you’re not friends anymore?”

“Apparently there were limits to the friendship. You know the Darcys are real blue bloods. Hollywood royalty descended from a branch of the Vanderbilt family.”

Elizabeth nodded. Everyone knew that Darcy’s mother was a famous movie star and that his father had been an award-winning director before he retired.

“I made the fatal mistake of dating Darcy’s sister, Georgiana. We went out for two months in high school, no problem. But then her family found out. They cut off all ties with my parents and threatened legal action if I ever went near Georgiana again. Darcy even punched me.” George rubbed his jaw as if remembering the pain.

“That’s terrible! Just because you loved his sister?”

George shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t what his parents had in mind for her.”

“How did she take it?”

His mouth twisted. “I don’t really know. I never saw her again. I called her, emailed, texted, but she never responded. I realized later that her parents probably made her change all her accounts. And they took her out of the country; they really wanted to get her away from me. All of this was years ago, though. She’s an adult now. I figure she can get in touch with me, but they must have convinced her that I’m the scum of the earth.”

“That’s terrible!”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “Although, it made me a stronger person. And who knows? If they hadn’t done that, I might not have become an EMT, and then I wouldn’t have met you.” He gave her a coy smile.

She raised an eyebrow. “Are medical personnel supposed to flirt with their patients?”

“Not usually, but it’s acceptable if they’re exceptionally pretty.” His smile could have coaxed anyone into mischief.

Elizabeth laughed. “You’re incorrigible!”

After he checked her vital signs on the monitor, his face grew serious. “I would advise you to stay away from Darcy; he’s not a good person.”

Elizabeth made a sour face. “I noticed that. Unfortunately, I’ll be a PA on his new movie, so I can’t avoid him altogether.”