Mr. Darcy's Kiss

“I apologize,” he said softly. “Excuse me for interrupting your evening. I won’t bother you again.”

He looked me over as if memorizing my face for one last time before disappearing into the dark of the rainy street.

My shoulders heaved as if I had just run a mile rather than just standing there. I looked over to see faces in the window watching us. The entire coffee shop was staring at us. One industrious man was even recording our argument. I wondered how many hits on YouTube I would get for this.

I considered storming in there and slamming his phone into the ground, and while satisfying, it would be a waste of time. It was probably already uploaded.

Besides, it wouldn’t matter anyway. Mr. Darcy and I were through, even though we’d never even really began. If we had been in some sort of relationship, it was over now.

Something inside me ached. The adrenaline was wearing off, and my anger was cooling. I shivered and pulled up my hood. I didn’t have that white-hot rage powering me anymore, and I was cold inside and out.

I walked out into the rain, more confused than when I’d started walking. Only now, I also wasn’t sure if my face was wet with tears or rain.

Chapter 14

“Are you okay, Liz?”

I startled and looked up to see one of the CICU night nurses standing in front of me. Her hand rested on my shoulder, and she looked concerned.

“What?” I shook myself, still lost in thought.

“You’re only half dressed, and your shift ended twenty minutes ago,” she said gently. “Are you okay?”

I looked around the changing area. I was still in the CICU locker room after my shift. I’d managed to put on jeans, but I still wore my scrub top. I’d been sitting on a changing bench with my blue scrub pants in my hands staring into nothingness.

“Oh.” I did my best to smile and shake my head like it was nothing. “Just a lot on my mind.”

&nbs

p; “Okay.” My co-worker paused and took a careful breath. “I saw the video. If you need someone to talk to, just let me know. Men suck.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

“Okay. Have a good night,” she said, heading back out of the locker room. I stared at the closed door behind her, hating and loving the silence of the changing area. The video of Mr. Darcy and I arguing had gone viral, as a woman screaming at a billionaire was likely to do. Luckily, it was hard to make out what we were saying, so most people just thought I was nuts. I just hoped that some new cute cat video would come along and save me from my misery.

I finished getting dressed and headed out of the hospital and to the subway. The train ride home was uneventful, which was good since I was on autopilot anyway. Today, I was just the sad, lonely woman on the train. Nothing strange about that in New York City.

I headed out of the subway to find the night sky dark. Or as dark as it could be this far in the city. I found myself wishing for stars if only to make a wish, but they were all drowned out by the bright city lights.

“Ms. Elizabeth Bennet?” A voice called out from my building as I approached. I paused, reaching for my pepper spray.

“Yes?”

“I have a letter for you.” A man with a bike helmet reached into his satchel and pulled out an envelope. I could clearly read the lettering on his bike messenger uniform as he handed me the letter and then rode off to deliver his next package.

I watched him for a moment before looking down at the letter. I’d never had anything delivered by bike messenger before and didn’t know who would send me something like this. All that was on the envelope was my name in a tight, neat script.

I headed inside and tapped the button for the elevator. Luckily, I was the only person riding up tonight, so I was able to open the envelope by myself. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but given the way my week had gone, I didn’t want an audience for anything right now.

I pulled out a neatly typed letter with an Oceania Airlines symbol emblazoned on the top. I nearly dropped it.

Dear Elizabeth,

I wanted to apologize and explain myself. I knew that I would only hurt you by coming to your home, so I am sending you this letter. It’s what I should have done in the first place.

My breath caught. I thought about throwing it directly in the trash. I didn’t want to hear from him. Yet, I couldn’t let go of the paper. I had to read it.

I wanted to address the issues that we spoke of. I do not wish you to think ill of me and would very much like to explain myself.