Chapter One

Its a truth universially acknowledged that a 25 year old girl who is single and has a cat must be in need of a husband. Or atleast according to Eliza's mother. Eliza didnt think she needed a husband to be happy. But she did want to change some things. She had a job that she hated, lived alone in a small one bedroom apartment with her cat. Not exactly her dream life. Plus she had so much student debt she could cry.Its not like she had never been in a relationship or that her job was completely screwed up... but this wasn't where she thought she would be. At 25 her parents already had 2 kids and another on the way. Eliza was still one booty call and nine months away from being close to that.

Of course her sister Janie was the prime example of having her life together.

-Perfect job with flexibility and vacation time. Check.

-Long list of gorgeous boyfriends. Check.

-Size 2, beautiful features. Check.

And the list went on. However, she couldn't hate Janie because she was the nicest person in the world. She saw no faults in anyone and was a ray of sunshine. Eliza was less sunny and more cynical but regardly they were extremely close.

Janie was where she wanted to be in life with her very own business. Eliza on the other hand was a secretary at the library and not using her english lit major for anything other than the dewey decimal system.

"Hello, do you have books on squirrels?" she snapped out of her thoughts and helped Brian Peterson find his book.

The library in Longbourn wasn't large just like the town it was rather small. Still this was the town she called home. Her job kept her busy trying to stop kids from coloring in the books and adults abusing the free internet access. The saving grace was her best friend Charlotte or Char for short. They were extremely close from going to high school, the local college together and then eventually the library. They were next door neighbors and shared similiar experiences. One was that their mothers were crazy. They simply didnt understand why they werent married with babies yet.

Charlotte came over with a large stack of books.

"So I think Im gonna try speed dating"

This was another one of Char's mothers ideas.

"Again? Did your mom really convince you to do that?" Eliza groaned.

Charlotte followed along with all her moms crazy ideas. She had signed up for church singles, which included one eyed willy and connor carter who was young enough to be her son. Char went along with these ideas but Eliza refused to be a part of that insanity.

"You are so much better than that Char! also didn't you want to meet someone the old fashioned way? Like at the bar or a party? Its like your favorite book when the two characters eyes meet across the room and you are instantly 100 percent in love."

"theres no way that you, Eliza Beth Bennett really believe that. I thought you were as cynical as I am?"

"I may be cynical but I still have hope. For the both of us"

"Honestly though Eliza I just don't want to be at my parents house forever and I certainly would like more action than I'm getting now… which by the way is nothing."

They both laughed.

Eliza had an idea.

"If you really want action just come with me to Puzzles tonight."

"i guess so... but if this doesnt work Im going to the speed dating thing my mom set up.

They spent the next two hours organizing the bookshelves and answering annoying questions. Finally at 5 pm they were able to jump into Charlottes old beat up civic and headed to Elizas apartment to get ready.

She lived in the only apartment complex in town. Here in Longbourn most people still lived with their parents or had a place of their own. Not her because she loved her independence but also her family drived her crazy.

Elizas sister Janie met both of the girls at Puzzles. "i'm going to get us some drinks" Char made her way to the bar. The bar was somewhat packed with people and even some she didnt recognize. A few drinks and shots later and the small dance floor was fully occupied. Janie had made her way to the center of the dance floors and bumped into a guy with blonde, wavy hair who looked like Ryan Gosling reincarnated. Janie was instanly starstruck.

"oh im so sorry love" he smiled and then his eyes met hers. Anyone could feel the electricity coming off them both.

"No problem, it was all my fault" Janie apologized but didnt look away from him.

"well I must offer you a dance then it only seems fair" he said in his english accent with a charming smile.

If this guy was gosling then his friend who stood near him was the complete opposite. Darker skin, tall and a smug look on his face. Completely unfeeling it seemed. He didnt seem very comfortable in the place and keep checking his phone. He made his way to the bar and ordered a drink. Eliza heard him yell at the bartender over whether his drink was the correct brand of Vodka. She was right he did seem like a snob.

As Janie and the friend continued to dance and tried to get his friend to join them when Eliza and Char joined in. Mr. Arrogant refused and said not so quietly "you found the prettiest girl in this place. I wont even try to dance with anyone. No one decent enough in this small town"

"small town!" she thought. It wasn't like they were completely hopeless in Longborn. They had a couple bars, a bakery and even two streetlights. She couldn't believe the smug attitude from this guy. What an arrogant ass. With the combination of the alcohol and angry feelings boiling up she started to feel light headed and decided to go back to their table.

Eliza wandered over to the booth and plopped down. She had no idea that Janie, Char and the two guys were following behind. She rolled her eyes and gave them room to join her.

Janie intoduced her dance partner as Charles Bingley.Even through the drunk haze Eliza recognized the name.The New Times Bestselling Author of "Margaret's Obituary" which had been on the list for weeks and was even being optioned as a movie. Also one of her favorite books.

"Oh my god I know who you are! Your ideas about death and remembrance in your novel were amazing!"

" Thanks love" he said with his english accent.

" Can I ask How did you get the idea of having the grandma come back to live in the end?"

" I actually lost my mother when I was very young and so did my friend Darcy here as well. I think it's a great story that so many people can relate to"

Janie nodded and they whispered back and forth before Charles pulled her up and back on to the dance floor. They both laughed. Char made her way to the bathroom and that left Eliza and mr. Arrogant all alone. He was obviously nervous. She looked towards him and said "do you like dancing"

"Not particularly. Especially not here"

"Not your scene?"

"No"

"Did your friend call you Darcy?"

"I'm William Henry Darcy"

"I'm Eliza Beth Bennett"

"Elizabeth?"

"No just Eliza and then Beth is my middle name. I think my parents just hated me from the beginning. So William Henry Darcy what do you do?"

"I run a publishing house and most people just call me Darcy"

"Well William Henry Darcy," she said ignoring his request "It's been fun speaking with you but I think its time for me to leave wouldnt want you to talk to someone remotely decent in this small town" she stormed away

He followed her with his eyes as she walked away. "I wonder why Charles would be friends with him. So infuriating." was Eliza's last thought before she slammed the door.

X Thank you for the commenting and reading the first chapter! I updated and have some editing changes from before :)