Darcy in Hollywood

“And it’s hard to shake the sense that I have some responsibility for what happened to Lydia.”

Jane sat beside her and rubbed her back. “Oh, honey, it’s not your fault. Mom and Dad were wrong to make you feel that way.”

“I’m trying to believe that.”

Tears dripped down Elizabeth’s cheeks while Jane enfolded her in a hug. “I never want to go that long without talking to you again. It was horrible!”

“Yeah, it was.” Finally, Elizabeth sat up and wiped her eyes. “We need to talk about something else or I’ll never stop crying.”

“Okay, young lady,” Jane said with mock solemnity. “

Then you can tell me how the hell William Darcy got involved in all this.”

Oh Lord. Elizabeth didn’t know how her sister would react to the latest news. She pulled a couple of tissues from the box and wiped her face. “He…um…found me at the bar the night of the premiere.”

“What bar?”

“At the theater.”

“You were there?”

“The movie is going to be huge. You were awesome.”

Jane frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me you were there?” Elizabeth gave her a look. “Okay, stupid question.”

“I watched most of it from the back of the theater…until Lydia’s part. Seeing her whole and healthy and delivering lines about meatloaf, well, it was just too much for me. I spent the rest of the movie at the bar feeling sorry for myself.”

Jane’s hand flew to her mouth. She knew what a lightweight drinker her sister was.

“Yeah, I got totally smashed. Blotto. The works. Darcy didn’t want to leave me alone, so he took me to his house, which is fabulous by the way, like an Architectural Digest wet dream.”

Jane’s eyes grew round. “He took advantage while you were—”

“No, no!” Elizabeth waved her hands in denial. “He was a perfect gentleman…well…then.”

“Oho!” Jane chortled. “Did he make a move later?”

Elizabeth nodded. “The next morning, when I was sober.”

Jane squealed. “Did you boink like bunnies?”

“The whole weekend, until I went to Baltimore.” Elizabeth couldn’t help smiling at the memory.

Jane tapped her lip thoughtfully. “I will admit that I always thought you two had chemistry, but I also thought you didn’t like him.”

Elizabeth gave a rueful shrug. “Yeah, I thought I didn’t either. It’s kind of complicated.” She gave her sister a quick summary of everything that had happened between her and Will. “He was so sweet. He apologized for what he said before and…he really cares, you know?”

Jane nodded.

Elizabeth deflated. “Or at least I thought he did. We texted a little while I was away, but then I came home, and I haven’t heard anything from him. He knew I was returning today.”

“Maybe he’s away?”

“He didn’t say anything about traveling.”

Jane mustered a smile. “I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything. You’ll probably get a call in an hour.”

Elizabeth shrugged. “Even if he doesn’t, we had a fabulous weekend. He made me feel better about myself, got me out of my funk. I-I thought he wanted more, but maybe I was wrong. Or maybe he changed his mind. And that’s okay, right? He didn’t promise me anything.” I sound like I’m trying to convince myself. Elizabeth slumped back against the sofa. “I shouldn’t want to date a Hollywood heartthrob anyway. Too public. Too much ego. Too many fans. It would be a nightmare.”