Chapter 7: Swimming with Sharks

On the ride home in the taxi, Elizabeth was finally able to fill Jane in on the events of the evening. Starting with her disappointment in Charlotte and her disgust in Mr. Collins, Jane listened in relative calm until she reached her repetition of the stranger's despicable and demeaning words that had been used to describe herself.

The look of dismay was written all over Jane's features. She cut in, "Lizzy, are you sure you heard him correctly? Those are some very strong words and you know for a fact that you were breathtaking tonight."

"Jane, I don't know that, and I obviously wasn't breathtaking enough. It is so like you to want to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's a complete and utter brute. But you didn't even let me finish."

She continued, revealing PNC (Prince Not Charming) to be Mr. Darcy himself. Jane's eyes were saucer-like as Elizabeth described their first professional interaction, demonstrating the depth of insincerity and lack of empathy she perceived him to possess.

"Wow, Lizzy. I am really surprised. Charlie and Will..."

"Will?" Lizzy questioned. "When did you both become friendly?"

"Lizzy, Will is Charlie's best friend. I spent ten minutes hearing about how this was his company's party, and how great it is that he offers such opportunities to his employees to network. I was actually excited for you because it sounded like he might be a nice guy and I knew that you were going to have to meet him sooner or later."

Lizzy had her eyes closed as she attempted to absorb the information Jane was providing, but there was no way to reconcile it to her experience. "I have no idea how they are best friends, Jane, but William Darcy is certainly not a gentleman. Charlie really did strike me as a decent human being though, so maybe his friend has him fooled."

"I don't know, Lizzy. They've known each other for years...since high school, I think. I'm sure there must be some other explanation. I can't imagine he would have said those things if he thought you would actually hear him."

"But that's exactly it Jane! He didn't care if I could hear him – he was looking directly at me! I have never been so insulted and disregarded in my life. Then, when he realized that he and I were being forced into a professional relationship, he covered for himself by throwing down the grandest of compliments. I think I feel physically ill from how socially messed up this man is. I mean, besides Alex, myself and Mr. Lucas, I don't think he spoke a word to anyone else there."

"So you were watching him all night?" Jane asked.

"No…not really...OK, sometimes. I mean, who couldn't? He's gorgeous." With the admission, Lizzy dejectedly flopped back onto the taxi seat.

"And the truth comes out."

"It's not like that. He demonstrated tonight that a handsome exterior does nothing to hide a hideous personality. I would rather," Lizzy paused to consider a dramatic enough metaphor, "swim with sharks than pursue a romantic connection with him."

Jane eyed her suspiciously. "I'll try to remember that. Well, look at the bright side. At least you shouldn't have to see him too often." Pausing, her brows furrowed as she turned her chin questioningly to her sister, "And who's Alex?"

Lizzy slept in on Saturday; not having anything pressing to attend to, the comfort of her microfiber sheets and memory foam pillows was too luxurious to part with readily. Around eleven, she reluctantly got up and blearily shuffled down the hallway towards the kitchen for some breakfast.

The sight of Jane brought Lizzy to halt. She was too stunned to move.

Jane had her fine blond hair pulled to the side of her head in a sloppy 80's ponytail. Her coordinating purple unicorn print pajama set was rolled up at the sleeves and ankles, showing off a pair of neon green socks. Broom in hand, she was twirling around the kitchen, using the handle as a microphone as she sang along to "Fallin' for you" by Colbie Caillat.

Lizzy had arrived just as Jane threw her head back and screeched, "For Yooouuuuu!" at the top of her lungs.

Lizzy nearly fell over laughing at the sight. Jane whipped her head around, a bright red blush contrasting drastically with her purple outfit.

"Somebody had a good night last night," Lizzy said, a knowing smile spread across her face.

Jane was caught, and she knew it. "Yeah, I have to admit that I did. I've been thinking about Charles all morning. I've never felt that way from just meeting someone before. Everything just clicked with him."

Lizzy beamed at the way her sister's eyes looked star struck, just like Charlie's had the previous evening before Lizzy had been called away. A fleeting thought crossed her mind, and before she could stop the words from tumbling out of her mouth, Lizzy blurted, "Not even with Andrew?"

Jane stopped to thoughtfully consider the question, but also looked a little unsettled that it was even asked. "It was different with Andrew. We were in high school. He was the quarterback and I was a cheerleader. It was kind of a cliché, I hate to admit, when we started out."

"But you two were crazy about each other." Lizzy could remember the expectations that were frequently discussed over the dinner table. Jane and Andrew had been together since sophomore year; they were the quintessential power couple, even though they were so young. His parents and hers were best friends, and joint family outings were the norm. They would get engaged before college, see each other frequently during their undergraduate studies, and plan a wedding for immediately after graduation. Then, the summer before Jane left for UC Berkeley, Andrew ended the relationship and cut Jane off completely.

That July, Lizzy had spent countless nights stroking her older sister's hair as she sobbed herself to sleep. In the beginning, Jane had reached out to him, hoping to come to an understanding; whether this was to re-kindle their feelings for each other, or simply find closure, Lizzy had never been sure. Andrew however, quickly made it clear that even these minor attempts at contact through instant messenger or email were unwelcome. The relationship had been forever burned in her memory; not just for the "sure thing" it seemed to embody, but also for the way Jane's love and trust had been trampled on and discarded so easily.

"Yes," Jane said slowly. "We were. But we were so young. I know, back then when he ended it, I thought my life was over. It's funny how, years later, I can't even say that we would have been good for each other if we had stayed together. I don't regret that we went our separate ways."

"I don't know Jane. Even though he was a jock, he wrote you poetry. You gave him foot massages after football practice, sometimes even before he got to shower." Jane flinched at the reminder. "Gross, I know. I've never seen love like that before or since. I'm sure he regrets you every day of his life."

Jane took a deep breath and closed her eyes. There was no way Lizzy could have prepared for what she said next. "Lizzy, you have to get over my ex."

"Excuse me…What?"

"Over the last 10 years you have asked me about him more than a dozen times, and it seems a little odd, especially considering you weren't the one who dated him. I hate to say this, and I know you are somewhat aware of it already, but you are seriously antagonistic towards men in general. I can't help but wonder if my relationship with Andrew had more of an effect on your subsequent relationships than it did on my own."

"Jane, that's ridiculous." Lizzy felt her chest tighten as she sensed where the conversation was headed.

"Is it? Your longest relationship to date was four months, and by three weeks you were already finding reasons why you felt like it wouldn't work. And stupid reasons at that. Like the Cheesecake Incident."

"Be serious Jane. You know that was a jerk move not to give me first choice. He plowed into the Peanut Butter one before even checking to see if I liked cherry topping. If the peanut butter flavor was so freaking fabulous, why didn't he just bring over two peanut butter slices so I could enjoy the 'best flavor' too? I mean, I could have been allergic to cherries and then he really would have looked like an idiot."

Jane simply stared blankly at her sister. She thought the better of pointing out that it was much more likely she would be allergic to nuts.

Lizzy continued, "I'm sorry. I just think his behavior demonstrated how self-centered he was."

Jane shook her head. "See that? Right there. You take a small, anecdotal observation and turn it into a universal truth about someone in one shot. But mostly you only do this with men. I think you're terrified of finding an Andrew and would rather write a guy off before it gets too deep."

"Wow, Jane. Just…wow. All this coming from the girl who believes the world is full of love and butterflies. So how much do I owe you for this therapy session? You are really putting in work today." Lizzy's eyes were stinging with threatening tears, and she couldn't help but throw a zinger at her sister in response to how close Jane's words had hit home, even though she felt guilty immediately afterwards.

Jane closed her eyes, sighed and pulled Lizzy in for a tight hug. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to hurt or offend you. I'm just worried about you, that's all." Jane's voice was gentle and assuring. "As much as Andrew hurt me, I needed to have that experience. It taught me a lot about myself. I want you to be able to find that too – a guy who makes you a better you. A man who appreciates how special you are and lets you know it. I love you, and I'm afraid you'll never find him if you continue keeping men at arm's length." She took a deep breath and continued, "Lizzy, there's always gonna be risk, but the rewards are worth it. I can't wait to find out what my future with Mr. Bingley might hold, even if it just results in a couple of dates."

Lizzy relaxed in her sister's arms and quickly wiped at her eyes. "It's alright Jane. I'm sorry too. Although I'm not convinced that I'm as bad at reading people as you seem to think, I guess I agree that I can hold guys to a pretty high standard."

"Impossible standard," Jane corrected.

Lizzy gave an acknowledging sigh. "Well then," straightening herself up, "I guess I'll have to try to keep more of an open mind if I happen to chance upon my…own Mr. Collins!" Lizzy quirked up her brows at the mention of Charlotte's latest conquest.

Jane gasped and laughed simultaneously. "Lizzy!"

Not one to be dispirited for long, Lizzy eagerly laughed too.