Chapter 14: First Name Basis

If Jane had a quarter for every time that Lizzy palmed her forehead on the way home, she would have enough to fill the parking meter for a month. Lizzy had been so out of sorts upon leaving the Bingley's that Jane had insisted that she do the driving so her sister could rest. The problem was, instead of lying back in her partially reclined passenger seat, Lizzy was sitting stiff as a board and casting troubled glances out of her window every two seconds.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

All Lizzy could do in response was let out a low moan and rub her temples.

"I actually thing it went pretty well overall."

"Except?"

"Well, I mean, it got a little tense at dinner. But, that was really brief. It seemed completely forgotten by the time we watched Paranormal Activity."

"But, you didn't actually watch that Jane. You were hiding in Charlie's chest the entire time."

"Yeah, so? He smelled nice."

If there was anyone who could make her smile at this moment, it was her sister.

"I'm glad he did. But that means you couldn't see what was going on in the rest of the room."

"So...what was going on in the rest of the room?"

"Well, Mr. Darcy and Caroline were on the loveseat. It was really funny, actually. She kept jumping onto him at all the scary parts, which made him keep moving further and further into the corner of the couch. By the end, I think he may have actually been sitting on the armrest, with one of the cushions propped between them. He was definitely scowling. I found it hilarious."

Jane made a sad face. "Oh, poor Caroline. She really likes him. While we were shopping all she could talk about was how they've been flirting but it hasn't turned into anything serious yet."

"She really likes him, or she really likes his money? And I didn't get the impression that their flirting was mutual. It was more like…toilet paper clinging to a shoe."

Jane gasped, "Lizzy, that's mean! I wouldn't go that far, but I have to admit that it did seem pretty one-sided to me too…as much as that pains me for Caroline's sake." She paused, and seemed to consider her next comment. "You do realize that Will was staring at you the entire night, right?"

"Yes, I do realize that Mr. Darcy was staring at me the entire night. He always stares at me. This isn't anything new."

"He asked you to call him Will, Lizzy."

"And I don't refer to my head bosses on a first name basis, Jane."

Jane sighed. "Anyway, my point was going to be that you're always complaining that he scrutinizes you. I didn't get that vibe at all. I actually sorta think he likes you. He was even smiling at points."

Lizzy laughed. "That's a good one Jane. I'll let you believe that if you like. Forgive me, though, if I don't agree with you."

"Lizzy, people don't usually stare at someone they hate."

"Jane, a person doesn't usually like someone they refer to as 'sloppy seconds'.

"What if your glowing wit and personality has since overcome his initial objections?"

"Still couldn't do it. Mom has already done enough damage to my body image. I don't think I could be with someone that I knew didn't find me physically attractive. We'd never have sex and I'd walk around wearing triple XL clothing and a bag over my head." She paused as she thought about what had just come out of her mouth. "God, that sounds depressing. We wouldn't last a week."

Jane realized that Lizzy was in no mood to see reason.

Elizabeth started again, "Besides, even if you are right, and for some inexplicable reason he did like me, he certainly doesn't after that dinner conversation. That is the reason I am beating myself up. I told him off. Jane, I, Elizabeth Bennet, told my boss off. I knew it was coming…it had been bubbling up for a while, but I'm sorry it had to boil over at your dinner with Charlie."

"I think you're making it a bigger deal than it was. Sure, you were a little forceful, but you were also kinda right. He did overgeneralize a bit."

"OK, but a normal person wouldn't throw that in their bosses' face! Who does that?"

"Well…you do, obviously."

"Oh, thanks." Jane watched as the redness crept back into her sister's ears. "And seriously, Jane, just 'a bit'? He seemed to feel that all women intentionally seek ways to sabotage themselves."

Jane reached over and patted her shoulder. She sighed, "It's gonna be alright Lizzy."

"Let's just hope I still have my job on Monday morning." With that, Lizzy flicked on the radio, laid back and finally closed her eyes.

The following day Lizzy still had a headache, and after taking Excedrin and finding no relief, informed her sister that she would call their parents and give their regrets about not being able to attend Game Night.

Her dad picked up the phone. "My little Lizzy! It's good to hear from you."

He always made her smile. "Hey dad. How's it going over there?"

"We're good Lizzy. Mom's going on about something regarding egg whites in the kitchen. I was spending some time with my good old friend Shakespeare…Much Ado about Nothing, to be exact."

Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Oh dad. Maybe you should help her?"

"Nah. I'm sure she's got it under control."

Lizzy shook her head at her phone. "Anyway, I was calling to let you know that Jane and I won't be coming over tonight. I'm not feeling that great and Jane thought she'd stay in and do some lesson plans."

"Oh, well I hope you feel better Lizzy. How is that campaign going?"

"Really well, actually. We should be getting the mock ups from the Art Department sometime this week."

"Wonderful. I'm very proud of you kiddo."

"Thanks dad."

"Well, have a good night. Love you."

"Love you too."

Lizzy hung up her cell phone. She walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. As she swung open the door, her phone rang. Walking back to the dinette table in the living room, she frowned when she saw who it was.

"Hey mom."

"Lizzy? Get Jane and put your phone on speaker. I can't believe you girls aren't coming over. The things you do to my poor nerves."

Lizzy called over her shoulder towards Jane's room, "Jane! It's mom." She heard the door of Jane's room open and watched as her sister shuffled into the chair beside her.

"I'm here, mom."

"Good. Jane, how could you even consider depriving me of your company and the story of how your dinner went last night?"

"I would've told you eventually. Lizzy and I just had other things going on tonight."

"Well, we're on the phone aren't we? Tell me now."

Lizzy wondered if Jane should be nominated for sainthood for her patience.

"It was wonderful mom. I really like him. We're really similar…we actually finish each other's sentences already. It's kind of weird."

"Jane, that's wonderful, really, but I want to know about his house. What did you guys eat? Did he give you a tour?"

Lizzy was glad to see that her mother's tendency to disregard a potential boyfriends' personality was not limited to herself.

"The house was beautiful mom. It was a mansion, but that wasn't surprising. He gave us a lovely tour and then we settled down to a really delicious dinner prepared by his private chef."

"Oh how lovely Jane. I'm glad you had a good time. I can't wait to tell your aunt!" The girls heard a loud clatter of metal dishes. "Listen, I've been over here all day trying to teach myself how to make Baked Alaska, and I figured my new dish shouldn't go to waste. I want you to invite Charles and his guests to dinner next Sunday."

Lizzy wasn't sure this was a good idea, but Jane actually looked excited. "That sounds great mom. What a fun idea!"

"Good, then its settled. See you girls then."

"Bye mom!" Jane sang. Lizzy stayed silent. The phone hung up.

"Oh my. I cannot believe I'm introducing Charlie to mom and dad. I feel like this is getting serious already. I…" She stopped short when Lizzy's phone rang again. This time it was an unknown number.

"Hello?" Lizzy answered cautiously.

"Hello? Is this Elizabeth? Elizabeth Bennet?" The voice was distinctly British.

"Yes. Greg, is this you?" Lizzy again put the phone on speaker.

"You remember me. I was hoping that you would remember me."

"And I didn't think you were going to call. It's been almost two weeks."

"I know, I'm so sorry about that. I had to leave the country and go home to my mum for a bit. She wasn't feeling well, but she's doing much better now."

"Oh." Lizzy suddenly felt guilty. "I…uh, I'm glad she's feeling better."

"Well listen, Lizzy. I really enjoyed meeting you that day, and I was just wondering if I could take you out to dinner sometime next week? Would Thursday be agreeable?"

Jane was spellbound, smiling as she listened to her sister's conversation.

"Thursday the 30th would be great."

"Excellent. Can I pick you up or do you want to meet at the restaurant?"

Lizzy looked over to her sister, who mouthed 'restaurant.' "Let's meet at the restaurant."

"Sounds good. I'll text you the info. I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too. See you then. Bye."

"Bye beautiful."

Once she was sure the phone was hung up, Lizzy bent forward and squealed into her hands. She was forced out of this posture by a finger jabbing her firmly in the ribs.

"See, I told you he would call!"

A/N

Thank you again to all of you who have favorited, followed and reviewed. Every action you all take on behalf of Magnets means the world to me and helps to put the story out there for others to read!

I also want to personally thank all of the kind reviewers lately who have commented on enjoying my writing style. It really means a lot as an author to hear that. :)