Chapter 3

"What is up with the hat?"

"You don't think it looks classy?"

Mary stifled a laugh. "Right, because a casino is super classy, and you would hate to stand out."

"Wait," Liz stopped just in front of the main entrance to the hotel. "Do you think the hat actually makes me stand out?"

"No, no. Not at all, My Fair Lady. I'm pretty sure with the recent royal wedding and popularity of shows like The Crown enormous hats will be making a come back any day now. You're just — ahead of your time."

"Oh God. You're right." Liz reached up and took the wide brimmed sun hat off. She had hoped it would obscure her face, but who was she kidding? It was like a big giant sign that said, "look here everyone. Crazy Lady has come back." She would just need to hope the sun glasses would do the trick.

Liz followed Mary through the revolving doors and kept her head down. She turned away from the front desk. After all, that was where the enemy had last been spotted. That bimbo had the perfect lair. Any man staying at the hotel would need to walk right up to her and she could just pick and choose which to devour. How hard had it been, she wondered, to trap Josh and make him forget that mature, educated, and refined women beat young, gorgeous, and perky ones any day. With her head down and lost in her thoughts, Liz collided with… a padded wall? She looked up to find that it was not a wall at all but …a guy. One that was damn near as hard as a wall.

Her hands reached up and she kind of pushed the tips of her fingers into the man's back. She hadn't exactly meant to, it was just that shirt was so billowy and she had to see if the bits underneath were really as firm as she thought. Yep. Those bits were something straight from one of those Calvin Klein billboards. Seriously, how did anyone feel that solid and yet still look so slender. He could have been Cary Grant. Or Tony Curtis. God, she really needed to get out more often. When was the last time she watch a movie produced during her lifetime?

The Adonis before her turned around, and when she saw his face, Liz discovered she was standing less than an inch away from the airport Brit. She stumbled backwards and managed to lose her balance.

Perfect.

Humiliation…. Check.

Attract Max Attention… Check.

A warm breeze swept through the lobby. Liz felt it on her back. It was a sure sign that the sliding doors next to the revolving ones had been opened and the high-pitched, cackle of a voice told Liz exactly who had opened it.

"No Angie, you wouldn't believe..." Mrs. Bennet stopped suddenly and her phone dropped from her ear. Then she did something she never did. She stopped talking. The anomaly was brief. "Ahhhhh…"

The blood curdling wail made Liz close her eyes tightly. She prayed a sink hole would open up and swallow her whole. If her fall had failed, Liz was sure the loud screeching had drawn the attention all those within a mile radius.

Mrs. Bennet put her phone back to her ear. "Angie, I'll call you back." The scent of Chantilly grew stronger and stronger and Liz knew her mother was approaching. "Is that my dear, Elizabeth? Oh my God! What happened? Did you hit your head? It's these marble floors. They are impossible to walk on. This hotel should be sued!"

Liz watched as the Josh's Girlfriend 2.0 walked toward her. She had to get out of here quickly. Liz shifted her position, hoping to hide her face, but instantly heard Barbie's voice call out "Miss Bennet?" It wasn't a question exactly. More of an accusation spat out in disbelief and disgust. That was the moment she gave up. Liz knew it was pointless. Damn it! And that girl knew her name. Liz bravely shifted, ready to face her exile.

"Did you say Elizabeth Bennet?" Chad asked hurrying across the lobby. Chad's movement stopped Barbie in her tracks. Liz couldn't help but wonder at the change in her expression as she looked at the stranger who had just said her name. "Are you Elizabeth Bennet?" he asked as he stared down at Liz. She nodded automatically. "The Elizabeth Bennet who attended Stanford University and graduated in 2014?"

"Do I know you?" Liz asked looking at the guy who clearly knew her. He was cute.

"Not yet, but I have looked for you for more than a year. You have no presence on social media at all! Jane will be so excited!" Chad offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. Little Miss Perfect looked between her and this guy and started to back off. Liz had no idea who this guy was, but given Jailbait's reaction, he had to be a big wig. And judging by the way she was eyeing the dumb British guy, he was pretty important too. It looked like Josh had some competition, Liz thought with glee.

Liz dusted herself off and tried to regain her dignity. She was sure they'd never met. "Jane?" she asked.

"Yes. My fiancée. Jane Grainger."

Liz's face lit up with excitement. "The Jane Grainger who was president of Lambda Kappa Pi?"

Chad's pride was obvious. "Yep. One in the same. She told me you were best friends but lost touch. She really misses you."

"I miss her too," Liz said. "Jane's getting married?"

Will watched his best friend talking to this woman. He was certain she was the same one from the airport.

"You know, we were more than best friends," Liz was saying. "We were sorority sisters." She bent over and picked her things off the floor. "I'll give you my number. Maybe you can ask her to give me a call."

Chad shook his head. "Actually, I've been looking for you because I want to give her the perfect wedding gift. She doesn't value material things, but you… she would be thrilled if you could make it to our wedding. You are more than just a sorority sister to her. You are the closest thing she has ever had to a real sister. Of course I would pay for everything. I could even cover any lost wages. I was just hoping we could — surprise her." Liz looked over at her sister who now stood next to her mother. Chad followed her gaze. "Is that your mom?"

"Yes. And my sister, Mary."

Chad turned to Miss Bennet. "I must sound like some sort of serial killer. I just met your daughter and here I am trying to bring her to Paris for a week. Of course, I would insist you come as well. I know I would never let my daughter go away to some foreign country to meet up with some guy she just met. Can I buy you dinner? We can get to know each other better that way."

"Absolutely, Mr…."

"Bingley. Chad Bingley." He reached out and shook her hand, then led the party toward a private room in the restaurant.

As she walked past, Will heard Mrs. Bennet whisper to Mary, "He had me at Paris."

Chad, who was a good fifteen feet ahead turned around, "Come on Will, catch up. Grey is waiting."