Darcy in Hollywood

“Charlie found a way to pass the time,” Caroline observed.

Following her gaze, Darcy noticed Jane and Charlie dancing rather…intimately. The heat between them could have ignited a campfire.

Her voice was low, and her lips tickled his ear. “He never did have much taste, but I do think he has the right idea.” Her voice dropped an octave as she brushed the tips of her fingers over his collarbone. “We have a late call tomorrow…”

Her words painted a very clear picture for him: the enormous bed in his condo, Caroline wearing next to nothing, a night of passion. Why not? They’d done it before on a casual basis, although not for a long while. Caroline would be using him, but he would be using her, too. Mutual usage. Was that even a term? Huh, maybe I’m not that excited about it if I’m thinking about what to call it.

He wouldn’t have to go home alone to cold sheets and an enormous dark house. Another time he wouldn’t have hesitated…

Elizabeth was dancing with a couple of the other PAs, but he could practically feel the weight of her gaze. He turned to check, and yes, her eyes flickered in his direction. That was probably a good reason to accept Caroline’s offer, but he wasn’t sure he could bear causing Elizabeth pain.

Maybe I should mentor a student. Why am I thinking about that now?

As Caroline ran a hand along the stubble on Darcy’s chin, he pulled away from her touch. “Not here. Not today.” He stood, making it appear that he was just stretching his legs rather than escaping from Caroline.

She quickly covered her scowl with an expression of languid unconcern. “Whatever.” Grabbing her martini, she finished it in one gulp. “I think I’ll go dance.” She stalked away to the dance floor.

Leaving Darcy behind.

And wasn’t that the theme of the evening?

***

Elizabeth was shocked when Will sought her out the next day. She had stolen a moment in the break room before Roberta or someone else needed her. She had even dared to take a seat with the optimistic thought that maybe she might rest for a whole five minutes. Her legs hurt from too much dancing the night before, and her head pounded even though she’d only had two drinks. She popped two more Tylenol, washing them down with a swig of coffee.

Will strode into the break room, far too magnificent for a place with Formica countertops and pressboard cabinets. “I’d like to mentor one of the kids from the shelter,” he said without preamble.

Her eyes widened. “Um, okay. Cool.”

“And I can talk to the group when they’re on set.” The words rushed out as if he needed to say them quickly before he changed his mind.

“Great,” she said automatically, and then thought about George’s story. If he was as horrible as George suggested, should she trust him to mentor a sensitive teenager? But William Darcy was too high-profile to refuse; his presence alone could make the program a success.

Scrabbling for her clipboard, Elizabeth flipped through a couple of pages and made notations on the one about the True Colors project. What had changed his mind? Had she guilted him into it? Was he embarrassed to be shown up by George Wickham? Of course, the kids in the program would be thrilled to meet Darcy; no other actors came close.

“I’ll get in touch with the director to see if they still need mentors.”

Darcy’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t realize they might run out…of gay teenagers.”

Elizabeth managed not to laugh. “Probably not, but Ricky has been pairing the teens up with members of the cast and crew. It’s possible they’re all paired.”

“I see,” he said slowly, regarding her with a disconcerting intensity.

She waited, expecting him to depart as swiftly as he had arrived, but he simply stared.

“The kids from True Colors will be visiting the set three days from now. Would you be willing to speak with them then?”

He inclined his head. “Of course.”

“I’ll see if I can get you matched up with a mentee by then.”

“Very well,” he said finally. “Keep me informed.” Within seconds he had disappeared as if he had never been there.

Elizabeth exhaled a long breath. Each encounter with that man was stranger than the last one.

Chapter Seven