Sorry guys but this is a really short chapter. I'm going out of town tomorrow on vacation so I've been a little busy but I'll try to update the next chapter sooner than usual. Thanx for the awesome reviews. I can't tell you how much I love reading them. And If you like my story, you have my betas to thank, MAB35 and LADYAMADAUN for their advice and speedy editing!

Chapter 7

The group seated themselves at a small café a few blocks away from work. Charlie and Jane were completely oblivious to the tension in the air and Richard just found it funny. Darcy seemed to have his foot in his mouth when it came to Lizzy and it looked like she wasn't going to take it. The few times she turned towards him, she was glaring. Richard picked up his menu and began to scan its contents. The others mirrored his actions

"Hmm…what looks good" Richard murmured.

"I heard their club sandwiches are supposed to be amazing" Charlie suggested

"Their burgers too" Lizzy spoke up. Everyone looked at her in confusion. How would she know? "Or at least that's what my dad said" and soon the waiter came by to take their orders (Club sandwiches for the men, burger for Lizzy and chicken salad for Jane). Once they had all placed their orders, Richard leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table.

"So Jane, How are you liking New York?" Jane pried her attention from Charlie to smile politely at Richard,

"Well, I haven't really seen much yet. I just had a meeting with my agent and then I came straight here. But I'm hoping to see more of it soon. I like what I've seen so far." She spoke softly with a thick French accent.

"Well, if you need a tour guide, I'm available!" Charlie suggested eagerly. Lizzy laughed out loud

"Oh I'm sure Jane would appreciate that" She waggled he eyebrows at her friend. Jane gave Lizzy a look before turning to Charlie,

"I would love a tour Charlie, thank you"

"So you're a model?" Richard asked. Jane nodded

"Yes, I just signed on with Victoria Secret but I'm hoping to get more contracts."

"Hon, just wait, with your looks, you'll be modeling for Marc Jacobs or Vera Wang very soon. And if they don't call you, I'll call them!" Lizzy grinned at her.

"You'll have to excuse my friend, she seems to exaggerate a little when it comes to her friends" Jane rolled her eyes. Richard and Charlie chuckled. Only Will sat quietly. After a few minutes of polite conversation the waiter returned with their meals. He set the plates down on the table and quickly walked away. Richard took a bite of his club sandwich and chewed before speaking up.

"So Lizzy how's your first day of work so far?" Lizzy swallowed her French fry quickly and answered him.

"Well, it's only been a few hours so far. Just the meeting so I'd say, it could have been better" She took a sip of her ice tea, "But I guess I shouldn't have too many expectations, I mean, I'm just a spoiled kid who likes to shop and spend my dad's money so what would I know, right?" She calmly took a bite of her burger as Richard choked a little on his food and Will's face drained of all its color. Charlie and Jane had matching perplexed looks on their faces. Only Lizzy seemed calm of the five. She nonchalantly kept eating her lunch, not making eye contact with Darcy even though she could feel his eyes burning into her. Charlie cleared his throat but before he could say anything to break the tension, Lizzy spoke up,

"So Richie, when am I going to meet Jessi?" Richard let out a small sigh of relief and, after a quick, glance at Darcy, he answered her.

"Soon I hope. She's really busy at the moment and not in New York but as soon as she comes back we'll get together." Lizzy raised an eyebrow as she sipped her drink.

"Richie, are you sure you're talking about a real person here, and not the blowup doll you keep in your closet?" She winked at her friend and grinned saucily. Charlie guffawed out loud and Jane shot Lizzy a horrified look. Darcy's mouth twitched as he tried to control the laughter that threatened to burst out. Richard sat back with a proud look on his face and put his right hand over his heart

"Ahhh Squirt, your comment warms my heart, it really does. It's nice to see that all my training during the first 13 years of your life didn't come undone during the 8 years you spent under the influence of the snootiness that is Paris." He turned to Jane, "No offense Jane."

Jane giggled, "Don't worry Richard, none taken. I'm used to it." She stared pointedly at Lizzy.

"Hey not my fault, I loved Paris, but I can't help it if New York is my first love. It's in my blood." Jane reached over and squeezed her hand.

"I'm just teasing you. It's normal to love your home town."

Darcy sat quietly, paying minimal attention to the conversation around him. He tried to keep his eyes off Lizzy but he just couldn't help himself. She was so poised and beautiful. She sat straight with a playful smile on her face and a sparkle in her blue-green eyes. He was happy to see that she actually ate real food and didn't freak out over a French fry like most of the girls he knew would have. He wished she would at least look at him every now and then but she completely ignored him. Richard noticed his cousin's fascination with Lizzy but wisely, he said nothing. Drawing Will's attention to it right now would probably cause another fight. However he filed it away in his head to interrogate him later.

"So Charlie, you're head of marketing right?" Lizzy addressed him. Charlie nodded and wiped his mouth with his napkin.

"Yes that's right"

"So you're my boss?" She smiled at him. Charlie looked a little uncomfortable.

"Well, normally, yes you would have to answer to me but I mean I doubt that applies to you." Lizzy frowned at him.

"Doesn't everyone in marketing have to answer to you?" She asked in a confused tone. Charlie glanced at Darcy, unsure of himself.

"Uhhhh…yeah but you're Michael's daughter…" he broke off turning red. Lizzy sighed.

"Charlie, I may be Mr. Bennet's daughter but at work, I'm your inferior. Please treat me like you would any other in my position. If I suck, tell me, if you hate what I have to say, let me know. Don't treat me with kid gloves. It's not going to get you fired trust me." Charlie gazed at her and saw that she was serious. His face broke out into a wide smile.

"Okay than. You'll report to me every Thursday. I'll have my secretary call yours to schedule it in advance to that there are no conflicts." His voice was suddenly business-like. Lizzy grinned at him.

"Sure thing boss! But why not Friday?"

Richard interrupted, "Because Charlie here doesn't work on Fridays. He comes in and sits in his office daydreaming about beautiful blonde women and where he'll be taking them that night" he spoke casually. Charlie glared at him as he spoke to Lizzy,

"Actually it's because it's more convenient. When you go on business trips, you'll be gone on Fridays so you'd end up missing our meetings. This way, there will be no breaks." Lizzy nodded and didn't mention the confusion she felt. Business trips? Why would she take business trips? She sat silently thinking that little bit of information over as the others around her continued their conversation.

Darcy noticed Lizzy's slight mood shift. He wished he could talk to her but was afraid that she would reject him in front of everyone. Damn! He hadn't realized that she had heard him that night. He hadn't meant what he said; he was just trying to get Richard off his back. He would have to apologize and pray that she forgave him. Darcy didn't want to admit even to himself why it was so important for Lizzy to forgive him. Suddenly the scraping of chairs broke through his reverie. Apparently Richard had paid for everyone and they were all leaving to go back to work. Jane shook hands with everyone and gave Lizzy a hug before getting a cab while the rest of them walked back to the office.