How on earth did she run into him, in another big city, several months later?

"You scared me again!"

George looked very casual, holding his ice coffee, in a plain shirt that marked his shoulders and arms. Lizzie looked away quickly.

"I keep doing that, don't I? Sorry!," he finished with a smile.

"Yes, you do", Lizzie chuckled, "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Do you mind if I sit down?"

"No, be my guest."

George smiled again and sat down next to her.

"It's funny how we keep meeting like this, very unexpectedly."

"Yeah", Lizzie said and looked at his eyes; they were pretty and distracting.

She cleared her throat and continued, "I have to tell you. I was very surprised that you recognized me in New York, after all this time. We didn't really talk at all in high school..."

"Ah, that was all Darcy's fault."

"What?," Lizzie raised her eyebrows in surprise.

George breathed out heavily before answering her question.

"He didn't want me to talk to you. I always thought he didn't like you..."

"Oh, I see. So did you always do what Darcy told you to?"

"I remember your sassiness now, Lizzie Bennet", he laughed, "No, but he was my best friend and I relied on his opinion. I should apologize if I was ever rude to you."

Lizzie just nodded and then added, "Can I ask you what happen between the two of you?"

George made a face of disgust, and Lizzie regretted her question.

"I didn't want to be nosy, sorry."

"I understand your curiosity, but some things are better left unsaid. But you haven't told me what are you doing here, in LA."

Lizzie told him that she had finished her masters and was now working outside the city in a digital media company.

"And you are going to continue with your video blog?"

Lizzie was astonished he remembered their conversation, "You watched my videos?"

"Yes, you mentioned them at that party and I watched them later, they are really good. By the way, how is your sister?," Lizzie tried not to blush at the compliment.

"She is good, thanks."

He smiled again.

"Going back to your videos, what do you plan to do?"

George made her feel at ease, so she shared of her plans with him and talked about her projects. He asked questions and seemed truly interested in listening to her and knowing more about her.

At some point, it was Lizzie who started asking questions. Everything seems to be working fine for him; he could not complain about his life and success. He pulled out his phone and showed her some of his photographs that were going to be exhibited in a gallery.

"Wait, before we go on, I must tell you something. I was a little disappointed that you didn't call me last December."

"Oh...," Lizzie did not know how to answer; she had forgotten about him and his card, "you did not ask me to."

"Well, what about I ask this time?", he took her pen and wrote his number in a napkin, "Do you want to go to the opening night? It should be fun and I will be happy to see you again."

Lizzie was taken aback by his invitation but managed to respond, "Yes… sure… thanks."

"Then call me and I will give you the details", he stood up, winked at her and said, "See you soon, Lizzie."

"Bye…"

Lizzie stayed there and watched him leave. She looked at her phone and realized that they had talked for a couple of hours. And that she had been flirting with him. It had been a while since she had dated but maybe it was time for her to try again. She took the napkin and saved his number in her phone.

That night, during dinner, she told Charlotte everything about her encounter.

"That's a very interesting way of asking someone out", Charlotte said.

"I don't think he asked me out. He just asked if I wanted to go the opening; he did not say if I wanted to go with him."

"I think it was implied."

"I don't know, what do you think I should do?"

"Did you have a nice time with him?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a reason not to call him?"

"Not really."

"Is he cute?"

"Smoking hot."

"Then I don't know what are you waiting for?!," Charlotte took Lizzie's phone and threw it at her.

Because it was late, Charlotte made her friend promise she would call George the following day.

Lizzie called him during her lunch break with Charlotte.

"Hello?"

"Hey, George, it's Lizzie."

"Oh… glad you called. I feared you would disappear as last time. So I take you want to go the gallery."

"Mmm, yeah… I told my friend and… she really wants to go… too."

"I see… well, do you have pen and paper?," George gave her all the information, "Until next Friday, Lizzie."

As she hung up, Lizzie covered her face with her hands.

"What the hell were you thinking, Elizabeth Bennet?!", Charlotte cried out, " 'my friend really wants to go', why did you have to say that?"

"Argh! I panicked, okay?," Lizzie should have known better.

"Gosh! Now your mother really has to worry about you giving her any grand kids."

Lizzie exhaled, "You have to go with me. Otherwise, I will embarrass myself, more. Pleaseeee."

Charlotte just shook her head and added, "Lizzie Bennet, what would you do without me?"

"Cry until the end of time…"

That was the truth.

It was Friday night, and Charlotte and Lizzie were looking at George's photographs. They were good, with different themes, landscapes and portraits.

He greeted them briefly when they arrived; looking dashing in a grey suit, but had to leave to meet the rest of the attendees.

"I told you, it was not a date", Lizzie murmured to her friend, while they walked around the gallery.

"Only because you made it so", Charlotte replied.

George was clearly busy but he kept stealing glances at Lizzie. Charlotte noticed but did not say anything to Lizzie because she did not want her friend to get uncomfortable or nervous.

After a while, he joined them for a small chat.

"I am sorry, guys, but I have to make my turn of the room."

"That's okay, we understand," Charlotte replied. A waiter walked by them, and she excused herself to give them some space. She was still closed enough to hear what George said next.

"I am kind of glad I didn't ask you on a date tonight, Lizzie. I would have not forgiven myself for neglecting you. You deserve all the attention."

Lizzie blushed and smiled slightly. Charlotte smiled too.

"There is a music festival next weekend; would you like to go with me?," George asked with his charming smile.

Lizzie found no difficulty in saying yes.