Chapter 4

July 4, 2022

Nashville, TN

Will

"You haven't told me anything about how things are going in Nashville? I want to know all! Fill me in! I feel so far away in Illinois!" Ana says excitedly on FaceTime. She's curled up on her bed with fluffy pillows all around her. Lounging in her huge Northwestern hoodie that use to be dad's.

"Ana, I have told you everyday what has been happening. We have been working on getting the restaurant up and going. Nothing else." I say while I lean back in my desk chair.

She stares at me with one eyebrow raised. Clearly not believing that's all I have been doing.

"Seriously Ana! That's it. Been long days of work and chilling back at the house."

"Have you gone back to the bookshop?" My head snaps back up to hers on my phone.

Does she know? Did Charles tell her?

Oh Charles you are dead!

"I have been to lots of bookstores, you know books are what our family business specializes in." I say nonchalantly. Trying to act cool.

Again she raises her eyebrow at me, but this time crosses her arms to add to her point. "Brother, stop with the lies. I know for a fact it wasn't a door that hit your nose like you told me a month ago! Why won't you tell me about her? Have you seen her again?"

I hate him with a fire of a thousand suns!

The hundreds of ways I want to hurt Charles for telling Ana about Lizzy pop into my head. Why do I even still remember her name! She was nothing! I will never see her again! The familiar battle of my feelings continue in my thoughts.

"I am going to kill Charles for telling you about that!" My dark glare gets darker by the second.

Ana just starts laughing at my reaction which makes me even more upset. "Calm down Will! And lay off Charlie, it wasn't him."

My face scrunches up in confusion. "No one else knows about it. I only told Char-" My breath hitches for a second and somehow my anger goes from little to extreme anger in seconds. "Charles told Fitz didn't he!" I practically yell into my phone.

Ana laughed even louder while nodding her head. "Yep, he did." She grins brightly. "I can't believe Fitz hasn't bugged you about it yet."

I shake my head at the whole lot of them. "No he hasn't, but he is planning to visit Nashville at the end of August. So I guess he is just biding his time." I roll my eyes in annoyance.

"So… now that you know I know, tell me about her." Ana sits up in her bed and holds the phone a little closer to her in anticipation.

"Annie, there truly isn't anything to tell. Obviously Fitz told you she dropped a book on my nose and then I left. That was it. Nothing happened." I say annoyed that I was still having this conversation. It's not like I dream about her expressive eyes all the time and think I hear her laugh now and then.

"Ok Willy…" She stretched out my least favorite name in annoyance. Like I knew she would since I called her Annie which she hates. "But Fitz also told me that she made you get all awkward. Which of course means you liked her."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? I am an awkward guy, I get uncomfortable in all kinds of situations." I run my hands through my hair in frustration. Very done with this conversation.

"Yes, but normally in front of others you hide your awkwardness with your 'Mr. Big Shot Face', so no one sees how uncomfortable you really are. But with a girl you like you can't hide it. So have you gone back to that book shop?" She says while getting off her bed and making herself a cup of tea.

I roll my eyes at the 'Mr.Big Shot Face' comment. Thanks Charles for coining that phrase and passing it on to my sister.

"Lizzy won't be there. The day I met her was her last day working there. No clue where she works now." I shrug my shoulders and hope Ana will finish her twenty questions.

"Oh it's Lizzy hu? That's a cute name. I bet she's super cute and fun." She smiles brightly with a teasing smile at the corner of her lips.

I roll my eyes at her tone. And try not to think about how cute Lizzy actually was and how she made me laugh.

"Ok, I'll stop bugging you. Have fun with the 4th festivities this evening. If I hear from Charlie that you sat in the corner and pouted the whole time, we will have words big brother!" She points her finger at the screen for emphasis.

"Same to you sis. Get out there and have fun with your friends. I mean not too much fun, but a normal amount of fun-" she cuts me off while laughing loudly.

"I got it! I got it! No worries Will, I'll be a good girl. Love you brother. I miss you big time."

"Love you and miss you too."

We hang up and I get ready for the barbecue. Knowing if I don't at least mingle for a bit. Charles will pull me out there and make me do something crazy like make me dance with Caroline.

We have rented three townhouses that connect together. They have a large backyard and pool that the three homes share. Charles and I talked about sharing one of the homes, but we both have been living alone for a while now and decided we would rather have our own space. Caroline is staying with Louisa's family and Marcus is staying with Charles till Monday when he heads back to Chicago.

So far it's worked out well for all of us. I head down the deck stairs and walk towards the covered outdoor lounge area close to the pool. I see Caroline out beside the pool in a swimsuit I would be embarrassed to see Ana in. She's sunbathing, but I never know why she even tries. She is a fair skinned redhead, she either has zero sun or burns. There is no inbetween.

I then noticed Louisa and Bella playing in the shallow end of the pool. Hurst was manning the grill and jamming out to some classic rock. I join Marcus in the lounge area.

"Well Will, how have you been?" He looked at me with genuine interest. Which is one of my favorite things about him. When Marcus talks to you, he focuses on you and only you.

"I have been well Sir, been really interesting to be more involved with opening this Cafe than the last. You know when Charles opened the first one, I was getting the family business more stable and couldn't help as much."

He nods in remembrance. "Well I am glad you have been able to help. I know Charlie has appreciated it."

I look around and notice Charles' absence. "Where is Charles? I haven't seen him around."

He gets a slight smile on his face and nods toward Charles and Jane entering through the side gate. "It seems my son has become quite infatuated with a certain pretty blonde manager."

I smile back. A month ago I had serious doubts about Jane Bennet. But she has proven me wrong time and time again. I am still unsure how I feel about them possibly dating since they work together. But as hard as I fought against it, I actually really like her. Also I have never seen Charles quite so besotted before.

"I believe you are correct sir, but let me assure you sir she is quite different from the other girls." I lean back further in my chair and stretch out my legs.

I see Charles giving Jane a tour around the place. Her sweet smile looking up at him.

I look back at Marcus and notice the dark circles under his eyes. Surprised I hadn't noticed them earlier.

"Sir, how are you doing? The foundation going ok?"

He rubbed his face a little. It was then I really noticed how the years had affected him since I first met him so many years ago.

"I'll be honest, Will. I haven't been sleeping well. I have been remembering a lot of details of the night she went missing lately. It has really shaken me up again." I nod my head, unsure what to say. This hurt that is always there, always present. No matter what new exciting things are happening in this families life. They will always be missing their little girl.

I put a hand on his shoulder and he nods his head in silent thanks.

After a while Charles gathers everyone together at the big patio table for dinner.

Once everyone has gotten their food, Hurst stands up and raises his glass in a toast.

"I just wanted to say a toast to Charles for inviting us along on this new adventure of his. I know your family has been needing to come back to Tennessee for a long time. We all pray that this new adventure opens the doors we need to finally find our missing piece to the family. To Charles." We all toast to Charles and I love seeing the beaming smile bouncing off his face.

Hurst continues to stand, but then Louisa stands next to him and smiles brightly up at him. He wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her closer to him.

"We also wanted to take this time to tell you all, WE'RE PREGNANT!" They both say at the same time.

Everyone jumps up and congratulates them both. Eventually we all find our way back to the table to finish dinner.

"I can't believe you didn't have Bella tell us Lou, that would have been so cute!" Caroline says from the seat beside me. Because of course that's where she planted herself.

Louisa looks at Hurst and they share a laugh. "Well that was our original idea, but then when we were practicing with her to say it she kept saying 'I'm a big sitter!' Then she would fall on her butt and laugh like crazy" We laugh as well, especially when Bella had to show us herself.

"Well I am excited for the three of you. Having a sibling for your kid is so important." Marcus says and I notice Louisa reach over and squeeze his hand.

"Dad, I have been meaning to tell you. Jane has a Sister. Well not her sister exactly but her family took in a Missing Kid many years ago. You said her name is Elizabeth, correct?" Charles looked toward Jane.

She nodded her head. "Yes, we call her Lizzy for short." She says with a bright smile. It's clear she loves her sister greatly.

My heart stutters for a moment, hearing that name. There is no way her sister is the girl from the bookstore. I mean that would be absolutely crazy.

"Oh that's great Jane. I'm not sure if Charlie has told you, but I run a foundation that helps Missing Kids all over the country." Marcus says to Jane.

"Yes he has. Lizzy actually has been going to your summer camps since she was little. For the last few years, each summer she has gone and helped for a couple months." Jane says quickly and goes back to eating her food.

"Wow, that is so great to hear. I am glad they have been a positive place for her. I can only pray my own daughter has been as lucky and found a loving family to take her in." Marcus says kindly to Jane, but I can tell he's struggling tonight.

Charles jumps up and starts setting up stuff for fireworks, not too long after that we call it a night.

August 5, 2022

Nashville, TN

Will

Once again I find myself on the now familiar walk to Lucas books. I keep searching for that missing book. I have yet to find it and I know it has to be hidden in that shop somewhere. There is no other reason that keeps drawing me back. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

When I was a few blocks from the bookshop I noticed a girl a couple streets up the way walking towards the bookshop.

She was wearing blue Jean shorts, a neon blue T-shirt and black converse. Her hair was in a low ponytail to one side.

It was like alarm bells suddenly were going off in my head. Telling me that it was Lizzy. But all I could see was the back of her. When she stopped before crossing the street to make sure no cars were coming, I could see her face clearly. It was her!

Because I am the most awkward man alive. I slowly follow behind her. A good distance between us. If I run and try to catch up with her, what would I even say? "Hey it's me that weird guy that you hit in the nose?" I smack my face with my palm and let out a sigh of frustration. Wishing for once I could be calm and relaxed around girls I like or… don't like.

When I finally get to the shop and walk in, I noticed no one at the front desk. But then noticed a big buff guy talking to Lizzy in the far corner of the shop. Her back was towards me. I picked up a nearby book and tried to act like I was reading but really I continued my new found stalking skills.

"Hello Lottie! Sir I have missed thee oh so greatly!" Lizzy said in a horrible loud Irish accent.

The man smiled widely and then put his hand over his eyes like he was a pirate peering off his ship into the distance. "That can't be the great Lizzy the busy! For she vowed to never appear here again!" He said in a just as terrible British pirate voice.

They laughed and Lizzy jumped into his arms, he even went so far to lift her up for a second before placing her back down. They moved over a little behind a shelf, causing me not to have a clear view. And because I am now the nosiest man ever, I have to see what's happening. My biggest fear is that they need the privacy to share a kiss. The thought of that makes me irate. Which makes me even more confused because why do I care who she is or isn't kissing!

I leaned over as far as I could hoping to get a better look. I did not take in account the tall stack of books beside me and there they went down in seconds. All of the stacks wiping out, just like dominoes all around the store as I predicted during my first visit to the shop.

The two of them rushed around the shelf and saw me awkwardly standing there in shock of what I just did. Before I could turn around and run out the door, Lizzy narrowed her eyes at me.

"Will?" She questioned, apparently shocked to see me once again.

I wave awkwardly. All of my prep school, Elite university schooling never prepared me for this kind of awkwardness.

"You know I have always told Lizzy that the perfect prank in here would be to knock over these stacks. It's going to suck picking up all these books but it was totally worth it to see them all go down like that." The buff guy says while smiling brightly at me and Lizzy. She laughs and shakes her head at his silliness.

"Well it's a miracle that I have never knocked them over before since I can't go two feet normally without hitting or hurting something in my way."

"That's for sure. How many times over the years did you break your toe from stubbing it on something?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Way too many times."

I stood there awkwardly watching their interactions. I guess she could feel my discomfort and looked towards me with a curious look.

"Will, this is my best friend Lot Lucas. Technically his name is Lancelot." She lets out a loud laugh and he gives her a serious glare. "But everyone calls him Lot. I like to call him Lottie though." Lizzy said teasingly while playfully hitting him in the arm. He just rolled his eyes, but then slings an arm around her shoulders.

Suddenly I have this overwhelming need to knock his arm off of her. I tighten my fist, trying to get a control of my rising emotions.

Instead I shake his hand and unconsciously make my grip stronger than normal.

"Lottie this is Will. He's the guy I dropped a book on a couple months ago." She says while giving Mr. Buff, I mean Lot an amused look. I can only imagine all the details she expanded on in their earlier conversation about me.

Lot, let's out a loud booming laugh. "Oooohhh! This is the infamous Fancyman. Good to know." He eyed me even more curiously with a broad smile on his face.

Seriously what is up with them calling me Fancyman!

I noticed Lizzy nudge him quickly in the side with her elbow and I can hear him let out a wince of pain. I guess she didn't want him to share that part.

We all stare awkwardly at each other for a second when Lot thankfully interrupts the silence. "Well I need to go find dad and get back to work." He shakes my hand again, this time a little harder than the time before and followed it with a heavy glare. Which in Male terms means: I am watching you. I nod my head in understanding. He winks at Lizzy and heads toward the back door.

By the time I look back at Lizzy she is starting to pick up the books that are now strewn all over the floor. She is placing them in stacks just like they were with zero order. Part of me wants to say something, to rebel and start grouping them in their proper genres. But I hold back my OCD tendencies and follow suit. Trying to make as neat of stacks as possible.

"So you came back. I got the feeling you weren't from around here." She says while brushing some wayward strands of hair that fell out from her ponytail. I catch a full glimpse of her big beautiful eyes and feel my heart start beating rapidly. Those eyes that have haunted my dreams the past couple months.

"Uh.. I'm not or well I wasn't living here when we first met. But not too long after my friend invited me to help him start a new business out here. So I've been here for the past couple months." I almost want to congratulate myself for getting that many words out in her presence.

She gives me a small smile and we move a few feet over to the next heaping pile of books.

"Well I have been gone for the past couple months or maybe I would have seen you again." She gives me a genuine smile and my heart flutters. I always thought only junior high girls said that, but truly there is no other word for it.

"So Lot, you said you are best friends. Is it.. uh. Are you guys…" I trail off, completely unsure how to ask what I really want to know. No use trying to not sound like an idiot, I know I am already there.

"Are we together?" She raised her eyebrow in question trying to help me along. I give her a nod. "Yep, we have been together since we were six. He stole my bike and I guess you can say it was meant to be." She puts a hand over heart and gets a dreamy look on her face.

I am suddenly very queasy and I'll be honest a little sad. Though she was everything opposite of what I normally go for, I'll finally admit that I liked her. A lot actually. I was hoping to get up the nerve to ask her out.

She lets out a loud laugh, waking me back to the present. "I can't even pretend, we aren't together. Though we have been best friends since we were six, there has never been anything romantic between us. He's like the big brother I never had." She smiles brightly at me and I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.

I know it is now or never. If I don't ask now, I'll chicken out. I take a big breath.

"Hey, would you want to have dinner sometime?" I get the words out smoothly and once again I want to pat myself on the back for talking to a pretty girl.

Her head snaps up at me with a confused look on her face, almost like she was shocked that I would ask her out.

"You want to have dinner with me?" She is completely dumbfounded.

Now I am the one confused. "Yes, is that a problem?"

"No, it's not a problem. I just kind of thought you would never want to date someone like me. You seem to be in a different sphere than me." Her honest words knock me in the head.

Almost identical to my first thoughts about her when I spoke to Charles. Hearing her say them out loud makes me realize how complete of a jerk I was for thinking that.

Here before me was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, who was funny, silly and passionate. What more could I want?

I locked eyes with her and put a hand on top of hers that had just placed a book on top of one of the stacks. Her warmth radiated through me.

"I truly apologize if I made you feel that way. I know when I met you last, my attitude was not great. But I'd like to make it up to you. Please have dinner with me?" My other hand found the wayward hairs that had escaped her once again and I gently pushed them behind her ear. My hand lingering a little too long as it pulled back from her ear to trace her jaw line.

She was completely still. Since the moment I first met her she has been a bundle of movement. Constantly doing something. But now in this moment she was stopped, staring deep into my eyes.

"Yes I would love to have dinner with you." She gives me a sweet smile.

We exchange numbers and decide to deal with the particulars over text. I help her pick up the last remaining books and then head back to my townhouse.

Starry-eyed and walking on air.

*Authors Note*

Yep I did a gender swap with Charlotte, thought it would be a fun twist. Also help Will figure out his feelings a little more. Hope you liked it!