Ellie was pleasantly surprised to find an email from George the morning after her call from Rick. Happily the book she had picked up a few days ago was number four and most of the others were available for her kindle. Ellie had originally been opposed to ebooks but over time the convenience won out. Not to mention, if she retained copies of every book she reviewed she would have to appear on that hoarders television show. She sent an email back to confirm that she had received the list and got down to business.
In no time at all she was on book five, a Sci-fi thriller which was a good mix of laughs, love and aliens. When she started to type the review a strange realization hit her. She was flipping through the book one last time when she saw that it was a Darcy publishing production. As her mind attempted to put the pieces together she became aware of the fact that all the books so far had been from the publishing powerhouse. If she put it back farther, George had commented that it was the Black Swan review that had caught his eye to begin with. Something in the back of her mind seemed to be trying to process how it could be that all roads these days lead to that enigmatic gentleman. After some consideration however she thought it must be a fluke. Darcy's company produced thousands of books a year perhaps the tribune was doing a spotlight on Darcy's variety. After all she had read five books so far with not one similarity except the publisher. Surely it was nothing more than her habit of reading too many mysteries.
Ellie and Jane took one afternoon off to find the perfect outfit for her faux date. This wasn't Ellie first book party, but for some mysterious reason she felt uneasy at the prospect of being the date of one of America's Most Available Bachelor's, even if she knew he wasn't available at all. After several hours in a changing room and a variety of shoe stores, she hoped Rick would appreciate her efforts. There is never a date more discerning of style and outfit choice than a gay fashionista.
Friday came faster than she expected. She was emailing the last of her reviews when she heard a knock at the door. She looked at her watch and assumed it must be Rick.
"Door open!" She called over her shoulder as she packed up her laptop.
"Madam, I do not believe you should be leaving your door unlocked, not to mention proclaiming it to be so to anyone within a four block radius." Rick said as he sat down on one of the stools at the counter and waited for her to finish gathering her things.
"Rick, my dear, there is nothing in this apartment worth stealing, but if it makes you feel better I only unlocked it about fifteen minutes ago. By my watch that's when you said you would arrive." She replied calling him on his tardiness. He blushed.
"I fear I was rather unavoidably detained." He returned mysteriously.
"I don't think I want to know." Ellie grabbed her coat and bags, before making her way to the door.
Three hours, six appletinis and one embarrassing skinny dipping story later, they arrived in New York. Because of the travel time, they chose to arrive early enough to get ready in the hotel. Ellie was surprised when they checked in and were ushered to the penthouse suite but she realized later that she shouldn't have been, after all they just got off a private jet. The suite had two bedrooms and the friends said there momentary goodbyes and were off to get fabulous.
Two hours later Ellie was fleshing out her new book, waiting for Rick to finish getting ready.
"Seriously Rick I think we are suppose to be there like…" She looked at her watch, "Now!"
Rick choose this moment to make his grand entrance in a very dapper Calvin Klein suit with a hit of swagger from some alligator boots. Ellie stood shaking out her dress and doing a turn to show off her outfit. She had go with a knee length strapless blush cocktail dress, her hair was pinned up but in a tousled faux post sex but not too mess bun and she finished it off with a pair of sparkling blush stilettos.
"You look great stems." Rick gave her a little Cary Grant.
"Not so bad yourself." She smiled taking his arm and grabbing her clutch as they headed for the door. "We are going to be late, you know."
"Now the party don't start 'til I walk in, sweety." He smiled.
"Did you just talk in Ke$ha lyrics?" She asked clearly appauled.
"You would only know if you listen to her music, now wouldn't ya." He smirked.
"That song is an earworm, I don't like it but it's everywhere and I just can't get it outa my head." She claimed trying to defend her musical integrity.
"Nice Kylie reference by the way." Rick was out right laughing now
"Thanks I try." Ellie returned dryly before starting to laugh a little herself.
In no time at all they pulled up to their destination.
"Is that a red carpet?" Ellie asked in disbelief.
"Why of course my dear, and we're about to be on it, so boobs out, smile and remember not to trip."
"Thanks for that." She replied as he exited the car and reached for her hand. They walked arm in arm toward the horde of cameras. They took more photos of the couple than Ellie thought had ever been taken of her and then asked for some of Rick on his own. Ellie obligingly stepped out of frame, but after several more minutes decided to wait for Rick inside.
She had almost made it the rest of the way down the carpet when she tripped over a bundle of electrical cables. She put her hands out to break her fall but a pair of strong arms came to her rescue. She looked up expected to see Rick but instead found herself looking into the eyes of the one and only Will Darcy.
"What are you doing here?" He asked before she could regain her balance.
"I uhh…" Ellie's mind was scrambling to get out of this awkwardness and away from the feel of his arms which had been haunting her every night in her dreams. "I came with Rick, that is to say Richard, Richard Fiztwilliam."
"Yes, Ellie came with me. So will you please stop making the moves on my date Will." Rick once again appeared out of nowhere. "Besides Aunt Catherine is looking for you and she has that assistant, Annabelle, of hers in toe. It may finally be time to put a ring on it."
Ellie finally got away from Will, only to listen in disbelief. Not only was there something weird between him and Caroline, but now he was engaged or at least getting engaged. Clearly he wasn't the man he appeared to be and she was glad to be rid of him. Or at least that's what she told herself as Will gave Rick a dirty look and disappeared into the crowd.
Will could have killed his cousin. When he had first seen the back of a little brown head moving toward the doors he could hardly believe his luck, only to have his nosey cousin make him look like a level 5 horndog. If she didn't think ill of him before she most certainly did now. He had no choice now but to go deal with Aunt Catherine and then hopefully spend the evening with his sister.
"Oh, what joy is mine." He thought to himself as he walked away.
A/N: To the many who asked the North Slope is an oil field in the northern most part of Alaska it is about 400 miles away from where we live. My husband works building the ice road for transport. I forget that it isn't a national know thing because everyone in Alaska knows what it is. I digress though. I do not in fact own anything but hope that you all enjoy the chapter and Review until my inbox of a heart sings with joy. hahahaha get it. Thanks to everyone who does review and remember if you have an idea that you would like to see let me know.