"So, Charlotte," Lizzie said as she set up her camera tripod, "I was confused at first why you chose this office suite, tucked way at the back of the building, but it makes perfect sense now."

"Really?" Charlotte kept her face impassive.

"Yup. It's about as far from Ricky's office as possible. He'd probably pop into my videos three times as often if we were on his side of the building. Here, there's a far lower chance of bumping into him in the hallway."

Charlotte's voice was perfectly innocent. "I can't imagine what you mean. Why would I want to avoid meeting with my boss unless absolutely necessary?"

"Diplomatic as always, Miss Lu. But I can see through your little ploy." Lizzie poked her in the arm. "It's a pretty good arrangement, smaller office notwithstanding. You get to spend most of the day Collins-free." She made a face like a six-year-old facing a plate full of vegetables. "I wish I could say the same about Darcy. He's always running into me. I even told him I usually hung out in this back corner so he'd know to avoid it, but it's like he's so dense he couldn't get the message."

"Really?" Charlotte said again, just as impassive, but her thoughts were taking a far different direction now. "You don't think he comes to this corner on purpose?"

"Why? You think he's trying to intimidate me? Because it's not going to work." Lizzie straightened to her full height. Which would have put her somewhere below Darcy's shoulder. "I'm not scared of him."

"Good for you," Charlotte said vaguely. "Well, I have work to do. Have fun filming your video."

"Thanks. I've got to make it quick; I'm meeting Fitz for lunch today. Isn't it bizarre how nice and fun he is?"

Charlotte, her hand on the doorknob, rolled her eyes. "Yes, nice and fun people are always a shock."

"You know what I mean. Why does he put up with Darcy?"

"Good question. Maybe you could ask him at lunch."

"Ha ha. See you later."

"See ya." Charlotte shook her head as soon as she had shut the door behind her. She wasn't going to press the issue, but Lizzie was being pretty obtuse. Sure, Darcy's behavior could be kind of cryptic, but if anything he seemed like an awkward admirer. He hadn't asked Lizzie out or showered her with compliments or anything like normal flirting, but the way he looked at her, like she was the only person in the room and possibly the entire world? Yeah, that was hard to miss.

Every time Charlotte or Jane had suggested that idea to Lizzie, she had laughed and gagged and remained completely in denial. There was a tiny part of Charlotte – not the kindest part, she acknowledged – that imagined the satisfaction of saying I told you so if she was ever proven right about Darcy. But it was probably better if that never happened. For Darcy's sake as well as Lizzie's.