Chapter 7
When I get home from the Emma's house, I immediately put Darcy's present in the back of my closet where I won't be tempted to open it. However, as I spend the rest of the day hanging out with my family, the package and card linger in the back of my mind. I imagine ripping off the wrapping paper and finding…finding what? What could Darcy possibly want to give me even though I'm not his girlfriend anymore?
As I'm pondering my latest question, my mother taps me lightly on the shoulder. I twist around in my armchair to face her where she's sitting on a sofa with my father. My whole family is sitting in the keeping room where a fire crackles in the hearth.
My mother leans forward and tucks a lock of stray hair behind my ear. "Are you okay, Jess?" she asks. "You seem a bit preoccupied."
I give her a smile and shake my head. "I'm okay, Mom. Just thinking."
"A penny for your thoughts?" my father interjects.
"I'd like to think my thoughts were worth a bit more than that," I tease him.
My parents chuckle and settle back onto the sofa. Ryan and Dylan are sprawled out on a rug in front of the fireplace, messing around with the DS I got them. The occasional outbreak of laughter and the sound of my father's newspaper crinkling are the only sounds but for the most part I close my eyes and listen to the Christmas carols my mother put on, trying to calm my racing thoughts. It's the perfect way to spend Christmas evening and I finally begin to feel at peace.
The next thing I know, I'm being shaken awake gently by my father. For a moment I'm completely disorientated but slowly I begin realize where I am. I blink blearily and yawn before stretching. The keeping room is dark; the lights are off and the fire is down to a pile of glowing embers. I notice the room is empty except for my father and me so I ask him what time it is.
"Just past eleven-thirty. Your mother thought we should put the twins up to bed, but you're welcome to stay down here for a bit longer," he replies.
Stifling another yawn, I stand up. "I think I'll go to bed. It's been a long day."
My father smiles and helps me up from my curled up position. Together, we ascend the stairs and then I head to my bedroom. As I change into my pajamas and get ready for bed, my mind keeps straying to the package in my closet. Climbing under the covers I fume; the fact that Darcy hurt me so badly but still has an emotional hold over me is infuriating. Usually I'm the kind of person that has a solid grip on her emotions and knows exactly what she wants. Having a firm grip on my life is something I pride myself on. However, when it comes to Darcy my common sense has to battle with my emotions.
After ten minutes of tossing and turning in bed, I realize sleep is not going to come. Pulling my laptop off my nightstand, I power it up, squinting at the sudden light. Once the home screen pops up I sign into my IM account and scan my contact list for someone who's online. I immediately notice that the dot next to Jonas's username is green.
J Delaney: Merry Christmas!
J Bates: Merry Christmas to you too!
J Delaney: Get any good presents?
J Bates: Mostly clothes and books—the older you get, the lamer the presents are.
J Delaney: Very true…except when you get a car.
J Bates: Nice! Mine made me save up for one.
J Delaney: Tough luck.
So when are you leaving Concord?
J Bates: Tomorrow.
I feel a pang of disappointment. Jonas was the one person I was hoping that could give me advice on what to do about Darcy and his present. After all, he is a boy, right? He should have some insight into how the male mind works.
J Delaney: Oh.
J Bates: But I'm not planning to leave until the late afternoon…so you want to meet up for breakfast at P&P?
J Delaney: Definitely. At 9?
J Bates: Sure thing. I should probably go though, it's getting late.
J Delaney: Yeah, me too. I'll see you tomorrow.
It's only after I've signed off and shut down my computer do I realize that I have a smile on my face that won't go away. And as I lie in bed again I notice that all thoughts of Darcy have been chased out of my mind by my brief conversation with Jonas. Instead, my brain seems filled with ideas about what I should wear to our breakfast meeting tomorrow. But I shake those thoughts away; no way can I be falling for Jonas. I'm still hung up on Darcy whether I like it or not.
It's snowing. Again. I sit at a two-person table in Pride & Prejudice, idly toying with a napkin as I watch the snowflakes float past the window. Once I've reduced the paper napkin to shreds I check my watch again. It's nine-fifteen. Jonas is late and the waiter on duty has already asked me twice if I'm ready to order. Both times I sent him away with a polite smile, but I can see him eyeing me, debating whether to ask me for my order a third time.
The door to the tea-shop tinkles and I glance up, hoping to see Jonas come through. Instead, Emma and Darcy enter, chatting animatedly. I duck my head, hoping that they won't spot me, but I'm facing the door, clearly visible. Emma spies me and waves, drawing Darcy's attention towards me. He gives a small wave and a polite smile which I uncomfortably return. It seems as though fate isn't on my side when they begin to head towards my table.
"Hey, Jess," says Emma brightly as she reaches me.
"Hi," I say coolly, not sure I want to forgive her for pushing me towards Darcy and talking to him. "Hi Darcy," I add, not wanting to be rude. Being in control of myself means not letting my emotions show in my actions, I remind myself.
"Hey," he replies.
"So, what are you doing here?" Emma asks, glancing at the empty seat across from me.
"I, uh, actually made plans to have breakfast here with someone," I tell her, shifting uncomfortably. The last thing I want to do is discuss my problems about Darcy when he and Emma are sitting a few feet away.
"Oh," Emma says, looking surprised.
"Yeah. What are you two doing? I would've thought your dad would make a huge breakfast," I say. Mr. Hawthorne is still an avid cook and I figure he'd jump at the chance to cook for Emma and Darcy as they're both away at college most of the year.
Darcy shrugs. "He's on a deadline for his newest book so we figured we'd save him the hassle of making breakfast."
"That was thoughtful…" I say, not sure what to say next.
Emma jumps in quickly, sensing my discomfort. "Well, I'm starving. Darce, how about we grab a table? Nice to see you, Jess."
The two of them turn to find a table, only to discover that the only available one is next to mine. They settle down awkwardly; taking off their coats, picking up their menus and making small talk. I return to shredding my napkin into even smaller pieces and am just about to give up on Jonas ever arriving when he walks in, bringing with him the smell of snow and cold.
"Jonas!" I say, jumping up and waving to him. I only realize I was louder than I intended when I notice several people staring at me. I blush and sink into my chair, avoiding their gazes.
"Hey," he says, hurrying over. "I'm so sorry I'm so late—I was trying to finish packing so that after this we can go hang out."
I smile at him, all the while conscious of Emma sneaking glances at me. "Well, it wouldn't have hurt to text. You know, good manners and all."
Jonas grins. "I figured you wouldn't mind waiting for a bit. You know, good manners and all."
Laughing, I gesture at him to sit opposite me. "So, are you done packing?"
He shrugs. "Almost, I just have a couple more things to do." Pointing at his menu, he says, "You ready to order?"
"Yeah. I already put off the waiter like two times. Poor guy." I catch the waiter's eye and he hurries over, looking relieved. "Um, I'll have toast and two eggs over easy, please," I say.
Scanning his menu, Jonas hums absentmindedly. "I'll take your breakfast platter."
We both hand our menus to the server and he hurries off. Jonas leans back in his chair and surveys the tea-shop. "Wow. This place is crowded," he comments. His gaze then lands on Darcy and Emma and he immediately stiffens.
Emma notices him looking at them and waves awkwardly. "Hey Jonas.
Jonas smiles at her, "Good to see you, Emma." At that moment Darcy turns and he and Jonas instantly lock gazes.
I clear my throat and stand, making my way between the two tables. "Darcy, this is Jonas. He's the brother of Josh, our farm hand. And Jonas, this is Darcy. My, uh—Emma's brother."
"Nice to meet you," says Jonas stiffly, holding his hand out for Darcy to shake. The fact that he's sizing Darcy up is so obvious that I want to laugh.
Darcy looks confused at Jonas's cold greeting and I then remember that he has no idea who Jonas is. He doesn't know about our little bit of flirting back when Emma and I went to New Hampshire or that we're close enough friends I told him about my problems.
Darcy shakes hands with Jonas and then sits back down, frowning slightly. A few seconds pass and then deciding against saying anything else, Darcy turns to Emma, resuming their conversation.
A silence falls over us and I know that Jonas is realizing the same thing that I am; Emma and Darcy are sitting a mere six feet away and can easily hear everything we say, even over the chatter from other diners.
"So you're heading back home tomorrow?" I ask Jonas, giving a tense smile.
"Yeah. I wish I could stick around a bit longer, but I figure I should spend some time with my parents before I head back to college," he replies.
The rest of the meal passes with small talk. Jonas tells me about his senior year at UNH and what plans he has after he graduates and I fill him in on what it's like to live in New York City. Even though I'm desperate to ask his advice about Darcy and the present, I console myself with the fact that I'll spend the rest of the morning with him.
As we're slipping on our coats and leaving the teashop, Jonas's cell phone rings. As we head out into the snowy morning, he picks it up. I try not to listen but it's difficult not to.
"Hi…oh yeah, we just finished breakfast…I'm nearly packed and ready to go…are you serious?" Jonas's expression hardens and he looks irritated. "Yeah, okay, fine…I'll be there in ten minutes…bye."
He hangs up and I look at him, waiting for an explanation. He sighs and runs a hand through his snow-flecked hair.
"That was Josh, calling from our hotel," he says.
We're lingering in front of Pride & Prejudice's glass-plate window and I glance inside, wishing I'd thought to bring a cup of tea.
"And?" I ask.
"Well, he's my ride back to New Hampshire and he says he just realized that he needs to leave in half an hour to make an appointment he made."
My heart plummets. I didn't realize how much I'd counted on these few hours with Jonas until they were taken away from me. "Are you kidding me?" I say, desperately hoping that he'll say he can stay for a bit longer.
Jonas looks resigned. "I really wish I could, Jess. But I can't. I'm really sorry."
"Oh, well, then I guess you should get going," I tell him, trying my hardest to be a good sport.
"Thanks for being so understanding," he says, smiling slightly. "We'll keep in touch via call and email, okay?"
"Definitely," I say.
The two of us hug and we're just stepping apart when suddenly Jonas grabs my arm. He leans in close and all of a sudden he's kissing me. He tastes like maple syrup and I lean into him. When I finally pull away, he smiles at me, his gray eyes warm.
"I know maybe you aren't ready for a relationship, but I just thought you should know how I feel," he says softly.
I swallow hard and am about to answer him when a movement catches my eye. It's Darcy and Emma, standing only a few feet away in the doorway of Pride & Prejudice. Oh crap, I'm in deep trouble.
A/N: I'm so sorry for the insanely long wait, first school had me completely wrapped up and then summer vacation was suddenly here. Hopefully I'll be updating more frequently now that I have some more free time.
I know that the kiss might seem sudden (and that some of you Jarcy fans will be upset) but I feel like I should move the story along a little faster and Jess and Jonas are an important part of that happening. The next chapter will be Jess returning to college and coming to terms with her relationships with people around her.
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