Chapter 3

Lydia adjusted the video camera making sure all the modes were correct for the lighting Geo Wickham had requested. He said he preferred some shadows and she filed that away in her mental storage cloud, it was information that would likely be useful at some point or another.

Had any of her sisters been around she would have happily pointed out that they––Meryton Matchmakers–– were able to do these high end videos because she––Lydia–– had the foresight to take the photography and videography class in college. Against everyone else's advice she would remind them.

Lydia had two philosophies about life. The first was to walk happily, not softly––that was a stupid idea, and to make laughter. She didn't need to look for silver linings because she didn't dwell under the dark clouds. The second was to not wait for opportunity but to make it.

There was no question about how much she loved and admired her older sisters. They were game changers. Woman in the fight for all women. They believed that a person show not been seen by their gender but by their skill level and Lydia heartily agreed. She simply chose to go about getting her fair share of equality different. She figured she had a good ninety years on this earth, one hundred if she were lucky, and she had already spent twenty of those. She was about to stand around debating the obstacles in front of her and group thinking on how to circumvent them. She already knew what to do.

Having grown up in a house with a hen pecking, emasculating mother, Lydia had enough examples of how NOT to treat people. Men in particular. They were fragile beast, their egos the bubble around them. One could stroke it gently like they did a cat or poke at the bubble like Elizabeth did William Darcy's. Sometimes she even kicked it and she wonders why some things went the way they did.

No, Lydia didn't have time for all that. Not while opportunity was sitting before her with is deep brown hair and reflective shades on. Another hint about the inner person of George Wickham. Shades while inside a darkened room? She added it to the file. Here was her chance to get up the next rung on the ladder. All Lydia had ever dreamt about what a Hollywood lifestyle and she was prepared to work her butt off to get it––while keeping her pants on.

"So, Gee- Oh," She drew out his nickname, adding a lilt to the end. Instantly he smiled. "Do you currently have a stylist?" If he did he should fire her or him. He was sexy as all get out. The epitome of a playboy, a bad boy playboy yet his hair was currently too long with the top being…floppy. Lydia hid a snicker. In his business he couldn't afford to have anything floppy. Not his hair, not his gut, and not his acting. Besides, floppy made him look younger and conflicted about the image he was trying to pull off.

"I'm in between stylist at the moment."

Opportunity didn't just knock on her door, it pounded.

"Well, who ever it was did a fabulous job but I was watching some of the social media sites and looking at what was trending and you could really pull off the bad boy look. You should jump on it before it's too late. I mean, it might already be too late, but we could hook you up right now and get some pictures of you out there today with this new look and everyone will think you're a trendsetter and not a follower."

Geo adjusted on the stool he was sitting on, his hands resting on his thighs. The wheels were turning.

"I happened to get a sneak peak to the upcoming script and it seems my character is going a rouge. Bad boy would work for him." He leveled his reflected glasses gaze to hers, she assumed.

"You want to do that now before we start this?" She gestured to the camera.

"Can we?" He stood and tugged his jeans up on his narrow hips. Jeesh, he was totes adorbs––as her friends would say––but not only because he was divinely handsome but because there was something about the way he talked often so no one could ask him questions or, like just, now sat quietly lost in thought as if she wasn't present. It wasn't terribly flattering that he hadn't felt the need to keep her distracted like he had Elizabeth and Jane but she would get to the bottom of that while making the most of her opportunity. Lydia was going to convince Geo Wickham to introduce her his circle and when he started getting positive press for her handwork on his look she'd take this opportunity the next level. While she was at it she'd get to the bottom of what he was about.

"Follow me. I have a salon set up in the next room." She opened a side door and bright light filled the small space. She gestured for him to precede her. Once in her chair she draped the soft cape over him then began to run her fingers through his hair, getting the feel for his texture and the cut.

"I dry cut, I hope that works for you." She could see through his glasses that his eyes were closed.

"Mm," he said.

"I'm going to take these off." Gently she slid the sunglasses from his face and set them on her counter. She then picked up her scissors and a clean comb and went to stand before him.

"Your beard is the perfect length." Just the right amount of scruffy without looking like mountain man. Mountain man was not a look that would work for him.

"Thanks," he mumbled and opened his eyes.

Blue like shiny lenses of his sunglasses. Like the Caribbean Sea. Eyes of heartbreak and a broken heart.

She ran her hand through his hair a second time, winked at him, and then shifted her focus to perfecting his look, her scissors snipping wildly.

"You look nothing like your sister," he mumbled almost in her ear as she reached across his to tame a lock.

"Which one?" She stepped back and inspected her handiwork. Perfection

"I suppose any of them. I mean, you kinda have the same coloring of Elizabeth but that's about it." He studied her.

"Maybe I'm the mailman's daughter." She smiled and winked again. It could be true. Her mother had threatened to her father enough times.

He shook his head. "No, I was wrong, on closer inspection I can see the similarities in your features, it you that looks nothing like them."

"You said that already." She took off his cape then slowly turned his chair to the mirror.

"I mean your essence––crap that sounds cheesy––" He shook his head. "There's a humming about you, a vibrancy that your sisters don't possess. It sets you a part."

"You're just saying that because I sexed your look up."

He was facing the mirror and sat up straighter, leaning toward his reflection. "Man, I'm impressed. I look…."

"Sexy," she said. "Like trouble. Like a good time. Like a sample won't be enough." Their eyes met in the mirror and something powerful sparked between them.

Nope. She was not going to have this man mess up her opportunity. Unlike her sisters she did not hold fast to one true love. When the time was right to take on a man she would and that time wasn't now.

"Okay, let's go get that interview done." She finished brushing off his neck and then handed him his glasses. "On the table inside the door are some cue cards. Go through those really quick while I set up the camera. These are the questions you are supposed to answer. How you want to do that is your call. Think about showing your personality to the camera."

He followed her into the filming room and she pointed to the stack of several 11x16 cards. She was at the camera when she realized he was standing by the table staring down at the cards.

"How about we do this differently than the other videos. How about you ask me the questions and I'll talk to you. I'm afraid if I do it the way you're saying it will look like I'm acting. I don't want that to happen." He pushed the cards away from him.

Lydia tossed the idea around. "All right."

He slid on his glasses and moved to the stool. When he was next to her she snagged his arm, turning him toward her.

"But no glasses. If we are going to be authentic. Let's go all the way."

His lowered then to his nose, his blue eyes twinkled, and with a slight smile on his lips said, "Okay."

AUTHORS NOTE:
Hey, sorry for the late posting. Normal chaos in my life. I have 2 little ones who are a walking body of germs :-)

I have yet to really go through this chapter so if some things are off- I'll catch those in the edit stage. Its hard trying to make Lydia and Wickham likable enough to have people interested in readng their story and (hopefully) rooting for them.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

XOXO

Kristi