Thanx to my awesome betas Mab35 and ladyamadaun. This is a short chapter, sorry guys, but the next one will be longer.

Chapter 5

Lizzy kept a polite smile on her face and stared out the window for the whole ride home. For some reason, she didn't want Jane or her father to know about the conversation she had inadvertently overheard. She had a flat let down feeling. Before the party, she was feeling a degree of excitement that she couldn't explain. She had taken more time to get dressed than usual, putting in more effort than she ever had before. What had she been expecting? That he would take one look at her and realize that she was a woman, the woman of his dreams? And why would she even want that? She was over her silly school girl crush! He had no power over her anymore…or did he? She hated that she couldn't answer that question, even to herself. She shook her head as if to rid herself of these thoughts and instead she turned to listen to Jane gush about what a wonderful time she had and Michael's gracious acceptance of her gratitude at being included. As soon as they were home, Lizzy rushed to her room, claiming to be tired , first by the journey home and then the evening's entertainment. She managed to refrain from slamming the door and kicked off her shoes. With hurried movements, she removed her gown, threw it haphazardly onto a nearby chair and changed into a tank top and shorts. She moved quickly across the room into the washroom to scrub off her makeup and brush her teeth. Lizzy opened the door and switched off the light and began to make her way towards her bed. But something made her stop for a minute and suppress a sigh. There sat Jane on the bed in a bathrobe and slippers on her feet. Normally, Lizzy would have welcomed a late night post-party gab fest with Jane but tonight she was hoping to just crawl into bed and forget all about it.

"Took you long enough!" Jane sat up with her back against the headboard, her knees pulled up against her chest and her hands clasped around them.

"And here I thought I was being speedy Gonzalez" Lizzy murmured, picking up a brush from her vanity and flopping onto the bed.

"Who?" the confused look on her friend's face reminded Lizzy that she had been raised in France and therefore was unaware of a lot of the slang Lizzy was used to using while at home.

"Nothing, never mind...so, your first American party...success huh?

"Oh yes! Lizzy it was perfect, the place was beautiful and everyone was so nice"

"But not as nice as Charlie?" Lizzy cut in with a knowing smile on her face. Sure enough Jane blushed and looked as though she was thinking of someone far away.

"He is everything I ever wanted in a man. He is sweet and kind and thoughtful and an amazing dancer…"

"He's cute too" Lizzy interrupted with a grin "that always helps".

Jane giggled. "Yes, he is very handsome, more than anyone I have ever seen."

Lizzy raised her eyebrows, "Really?" she tried her best not to sound skeptical. She found him cute and everything but the best looking guy around, he was not, not according to Lizzy. But it was obvious by the expression on Jane's face that she thought so.

"I dunno, I've always been more into the tall dark and handsome type." Lizzy ran the brush through her curls absent-mindedly.

"But...Marc wasn't exactly very tall. He was shorter than Richard." Jane reminded her gently. Marc Andre was Lizzy's ex-boyfriend from France. The only relationship she had been in during her stay abroad. Lizzy shrugged.

"Well a girl doesn't always get what she wants. Unless she's a gorgeous lingerie model" She winked at her friend. Jane stuck her tongue out, but didn't comment and the two friends sat in silence for a minute. Lizzy decided to change the subject before Jane could question her more on her taste in men. "So did you meet any one else tonight that you see yourself becoming friendly with?"

Jane thought for a moment before answering slowly," I don't know. There were a few people that I would like to get to know better but who knows? How about you? Did you get to catch up with everyone that you wanted to?" Lizzy shook her head,

"No, my childhood best friend Emma wasn't there. She's out of town right now and couldn't make it back on time. But George told me she should be back soon. She's a designer."

"Cool... wait, which one was George again?" Jane furrowed her eyebrows, trying to put a face to the name.

"He was the tall guy with brown hair, brown eyes, doctor, really nice" Lizzy prompted.

"Ohhhh, the brain surgeon. He was nice"

"I'm surprised you remember any man other than Charlie" Lizzy teased. Jane grabbed the pillow beside her and threw it at Lizzy's face. Lizzy caught it easily and laughed.

"Dude, your aim sucks. You're lucky you're pretty."

"Whatever...tell me about Emma. Will I like her?"

"You'll love her. She's amazing. I mean she's my age, really beautiful and funny and we've been best friends since kindergarten. You could never tell by the way she acts that she's crazy rich."

"Wow..are you sure she exists? Sounds like you're describing yourself."

"Oh wow, aren't you hilarious" Lizzy rolled her eyes at her friend before continuing. "She's always been into fashion and then a few years back she started her own company when she was only 18. She's been crazy busy which is why you haven't met her yet, but I've managed to keep in touch. Gotta love the internet." She finished with a wry grin. Jane smiled back and reached out to squeeze her hand.

"So where was she tonight?"

"LA. She had to oversee something in her boutique there. I'm kinda surprised you haven't heard of her"

"Seriously? She's that big?" Lizzy nodded and the two sat quietly for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, until Jane moved to get off the bed.

"It's getting late. I'm tired. Why did your dad decide to throw the party on the day we arrived? Why not wait until tomorrow or even next week?,"

Lizzy rolled her eyes, "Probably because he's going out of town tomorrow for business as usual"

Janeshe raised her fist to cover a yawn. "Oh…ok well, I'll see you in the morning"

"Yeah sure. Goodnight Jane"

"Bon nuit Cherie." She trudged quietly to the door and let herself out. As the door shut behind her friend, Lizzy reached down to grab the duvet and cover herself. She flopped her head onto the pillow. Alone in the dark she allowed her mind to wander to the subject that had been tormenting her subconscious for the better part of the evening. What had she said or done to make Will think she was a spoiled socialite? She had always tried to stay away from the type of people who coasted through life with no goals or purpose, taking for granted their wealth and acting like their last names meant they could have anything or do anything they wanted. It bothered her that he would think she was like that. Lizzy didn't want to admit she was hurt. She didn't want to admit he had that power over her still. She preferred to focus on being angry:

who does he think he is to judge me? He hasn't seen me for 8 years, and in 1 short conversation he has me pegged and wrongly too! Well I'll show him! Will Darcy will see that I'm no spoiled brat! Spending dad's money..how would he know?What, did he do, sneak into Paris and secretly follow me around whenever I went shopping? Because even if he had done that, he'd still have nothing on me! And even if I did, it's none of his business! Oh it's not like he hasn't slept with his share of floozies. Every woman he's ever been with was an airhead. He's probably with one right now. Not that I care of course…

She didn't want to admit to herself the feelings that had rushed back at the sight of him. He was still the gorgeous man she had left behind all those years ago But he had never been mean before. She hated that she still felt butterflies in her stomach when he hugged her or that the sound of his laugh made her feel giddy. No, she wasn't going to allow this to happen! She was just going to focus on how big of a jerk he had turned into. Lizzy sighed and turned over to her side, tucking her hands under her cheek. It was going to be a busy weekend and she didn't have time to ponder over Will's attitude. That could always be done at another time.