Note: A HUGE thank you to Royal-Cobalt and Sydneyer for their wonderful beta work on this chapter! Their feedback and eye for inconsistencies and typos was extremely helpful.

Thank you to everyone who commented on this story as well! To the guest reviewer who apologized - don't ever feel the need to apologize for critical reviews and comments! They're the most helpful kind! Your commentary made me stop to think, re-evaluate, and adjust details accordingly! Please, continue to bring things to my attention. It is nearly impossible to offend me, so don't worry about that LOL. (I invite you to PM me on this site...I can use all the honest feedback I can get on chapters before I post them). :).

Chapter 5

Give it some time, don't try to rush

When you're trying to find yourself

Some love and trust

Do all you can might not be enough

When you're trying to get yourself

Some love and trust

-Love and Trust, Charlie Musselwhite, Ben Harper

I woke the next morning to the sound of my phone ringing. I blindly picked it up off the nightstand and squinted at the caller I.D. It was Charlotte. "Hello," I mumbled, still half asleep.

"Lizzy!" Charlotte greeted in her usual cheerful tone.

"Hey," I croaked, scrubbing my free hand over my face.

"Are you okay? You sound terrible. Did I wake you?"

"Na, it's okay," I lied. "What's up?"

"It's not like you to sleep this late. You're usually up before sunrise. Are you sure everything's alright?" she pressed.

I grabbed the remote for my blackout curtains from the top of the nightstand and pushed the open button. Sunlight poured in through the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, brightening the room and my mood. "I'm fine. It's just been a long couple of days. Sorry, Charlotte."

"Oh." Never one to pry into the affairs of others – one of the many reasons why I loved her dearly – Charlotte continued, "Well, I was just wondering if you'd like to go shopping today. It's been about two weeks since I've seen you and I'm having Lizzy withdrawals."

"I miss you, too!" I laughed. "But I have plans today. I'm so sorry. Can I let you know when I'm free?" The line was silent for several seconds. "Charlotte, you there?"

"That's fine, but you hardly ever have plans during summer break. Does this have something to do with a guy?" I could practically hear the smile in her voice.

"Um…it's…complicated?" My response sounded more like a question. "I'll tell you all about it later."

"Oooh!" she exclaimed. "This must be good, otherwise you'd tell me over the phone."

I yawned. "Something like that."

"Well, I won't keep you, but let's get together soon, okay? Maybe a movie night this Friday?"

"I'll plan on it. See you then."

"Have fun today!"

I shook my head and rubbed my tired eyes. "Bye, Charlotte."

I got up, made my bed, threw my hair into a ponytail, and changed clothes before I headed downstairs to the gym.

OOOoooOOOoooOOO

Will knocked on my door at ten o'clock on the dot.

"Good morning," I greeted, opening the door for him.

He stepped into the foyer, carrying two paper coffee cups and a large paper bag. "Good morning to you, too," he replied with a crooked smile. "I've brought breakfast." He held up the bag and cups.

"You know, bringing me caffeine automatically elevates you to top-five status on my Favorite People list." I batted my eyelashes in jest.

"Mm, well, lucky me." His half-smile stretched into a full one, complete with dimples.

"Let's go in the kitchen," I invited, motioning for him to follow me inside.

Will set the food down on the table and handed me a cup. "This one is yours. Caffe Mocha sans whipped topping."

I was touched that he had remembered my preference for chocolate, as well as my aversion to whipped cream from our dinner. "Thank you, Will. Really," I emphasized.

"My pleasure," he winked.

"So, any movie preferences?" I asked as we sat down to our breakfast of muffins and coffee.

"Well, I was thinking, since we were talking about Doctor Who the other day, that it might be fun to, what do you Yanks say?" he joked, pretending to search for the right word. "Binge-watch. Do you happen to have it?"

"Sweet! And of course, I have the Doctor Who series. What kind of geek do you take me for?" I shook my head, feigning disappointment.

After we had finished eating, we moved into the living room. Will sat on one end of the couch and I took a seat on the other side. I brought up my digital video library on the television and selected the first season of Doctor Who.

Will glanced at the expanse of couch cushions between us. "This is a very long couch you have."

I gave him a questioning look. "I suppose it is, but that's what makes it comfortable," I grumbled defensively, snuggling into the cushions, and hugging a throw pillow to my chest to emphasize my point.

He fought against a smile. "I promise, I don't bite."

"Hmm…well, I suppose, so long as you've at least had your rabies and distemper shots." I eyed the wide cushion that separated us and scooted over to the middle of the sofa, leaving a good foot of space between us. "Better?" I asked.

His eyes narrowed. "Marginally. Shots, indeed." He tossed a throw pillow at me.

I smirked, flung the pillow back at him, and pushed play.

oooOOOoooOOOooo

"Have you seen any funny YouTube videos, lately?" I asked later that afternoon after we'd finished a late lunch of sandwiches. I reclined on one end of the couch, with my legs stretched out on the cushion beside me, while Will relaxed in a similar position on the opposite end, his long legs propped up on the coffee table.

"I don't watch YouTube," he replied.

I nodded in understanding. "I'll admit, I was rather reluctant to jump on board with it, too, but as a teacher, I tend to pick up some bad habits from my students, including YouTube; that wonderful, awful black hole where time goes to die." I swung my legs to the floor and leaned forward to grab my laptop from the coffee table and proceeded to show him a few videos that I found particularly amusing.

By the end of the second video, I was laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes. Will, on the other hand, had barely cracked a smile.

"You seriously find this funny?" He crossed his arms over his broad chest.

"Hilarious," I replied, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I love to laugh. There's nothing wrong with that." I gave him a quick, assessing once-over. "You could do with a little more laughter in your life." With that, I leaned across the couch and tickled him.

Will manfully tried not to laugh, and instead, attempted to grab my wrists to stop me, but I was too fast for him. Soon, his laughter filled the room. Unable to catch my hands, he managed to reach down and grabbed hold of my calf, instead.

"No!" I cried between laughs, trying to bat his hand away.

He took advantage of my distraction to seize my wrists with his free hand and moved his other hand to my stomach to tickle me, forcing me to lean back until I was lying supine on the couch. He used his advantage to shift part of his weight on top of me so that I couldn't move. I went into full-fledged panic mode and managed to wriggle out from underneath him and onto the floor. I quickly stood up and knelt on the edge of the couch, to renew my attack against him. He gave as good as he got, during the short melee that ensued.

We were both laughing so hard that I didn't hear the sound of the key in the lock or the door opening.

"Lizzy?" I heard Jane's voice call.

Startled, I gasped and quickly untangled myself from Will. "Crap! Jane's here! Quick! In the library!" I directed in a hushed voice as I hurriedly stood and pulled him up by the hand.

"Why?" he asked in a loud whisper, throwing me a bewildered look.

I returned his look with a pleading one of my own as I hurriedly ushered him into the adjoining room. Will may have felt ready to deal with his social circle and the possibility of media attention, but I wasn't yet prepared to handle the damage control that I feared my mother and youngest sisters finding out about him would require. Praying Jane was alone and not accompanied by any of my other siblings, I hurried back into the living room and stood, leaning against the back of the couch in what I hoped was a casual pose, and patted my hair. Realizing it was a mess, I quickly tore out the elastic band and finger-combed it back up, hastily wrapping it in a ponytail.

"Lizzy, who are you talking to?" Jane asked as she entered the living room.

"Just playing with Moriarty," I smiled. Before I could say anything else, the cat in question chose that moment to dart down the loft staircase and padded his way over to Jane.

Jane looked pointedly at the traitorous tabby - who had clearly been nowhere near me - and then raised a dubious eyebrow in my direction.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Will through the library doorway, standing far enough back to be visible to me, but out of my sister's line of sight.

"What's going on?" Jane asked, taking a few more steps into the room.

I reached a hand up to pat my hair again. "Not much. Why?"

She pierced me with a rare withering look before she raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, well, then, answer me this - who is Will?"

"What?" I asked, throwing her a deer-in-the-headlights look.

"Yeah," Jane tilted her head to the side as if assessing my behavior. "A guy named Charles messaged me on Facebook yesterday. He said he was a friend of your friend, Will."

I swallowed hard. The jig was up.

Jane crossed her arms over her chest and leveled one of her best teacherly looks at me. I shifted my eyes to where Will stood in the library doorway.

He gave a single nod of his head. "Introduce me," he inaudibly mouthed.

"Jane," I motioned for Will to come forward. "Meet Will."

Jane, still obviously puzzled by my behavior, glanced at Will, who had walked into the living room, and then back to me. Then, she paused and did a double-take. Her eyes widened a little before she mastered her expression and smiled politely.

"Will, this is my sister, Jane."

Will stepped forward and extended his hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, Jane. Elizabeth has told me much about you."

Jane smiled in return. "I wish I could say the same." She threw me an incredulous look.

I motioned for everyone to take a seat. I sat on the couch, while Jane took one of the overstuffed chairs. Will sat next to me and took my hand in his, favoring me with a reassuring smile as he did so. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Jane leaned back in her chair and bit her lip to hide a smile, her eyes moving back and forth, between the two of us. "So, I assume you're Lizzy's friend whom Charles spoke of?"

"I am," Will acknowledged.

"So, Lizzy, it seems you have some explaining to do." She pursed her lips, the smile never leaving her face.

I exhaled heavily.

Will, seeing my discomfort squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"Well, you know how much I hate wasps, right?" I began.

Jane alternately shook her head and laughed as I relayed the story of how Will and I had met, and our subsequent time spent together. "Well, that definitely sounds like something that would happen to you."

Will looked over at me and grinned. "Do you normally meet men by falling into their lives then?" He laughed at my unamused expression.

"Oh, yeah. Every other weekend," I deadpanned. Turning my attention to Jane, I said, "You've got to promise me you won't tell Mom or the girls."

Jane's eyes widened and she put her hands up by her shoulders in a gesture of surrender. "Believe me, I have no desire to open that can of worms! I'll leave all that fun to you."

I rubbed a hand back and forth, across my forehead. "Thanks."

"Your friend, Charles, is very outgoing, Will," Jane said. "He sent me a friend request and then a message explaining who he is. We messaged back and forth for a few hours last night. He seems very kind," she smiled.

"He is," Will assured her. "Charles is my closest friend, in fact."

My sister leaned forward, playing with the keychain she held in her hand. "That's what he said." She looked up from her keyring to me.

I gave her a tight smile.

Jane shifted her attention back to Will. "I do have some questions for you, about him, if you don't mind," she said hesitantly.

"Of course not," Will replied. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you have."

While Jane and Will discussed the merits of Charles Bingley, my mind drifted. I was still reeling a little from my sister's unexpected visit and the unplanned introduction.

The sound of Jane's voice recalled me to my surroundings. "Well, I'll let you get back to your movie, Lizzy," she nodded toward the Doctor Who menu displayed on the television screen. "Will, I'm so sorry Lizzy has sucked you into the Whoniverse." She shook her head. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

"And you as well." Will smiled as he rose from the couch. "And to be perfectly honest with you, I'm the one who suggested today's cinematic theme."

Jane laughed. "Wow, Lizzy, it looks like you've met your match."

I blushed as I stood up, pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. Will and I walked with Jane to the foyer where she turned to hug me.

"I'll call you later," she whispered in my ear before she released me and opened the door. "Will," she nodded with a smile before she stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind her.

I headed into the kitchen. "Want a drink?" I called over my shoulder.

"Yes, thank you," Will replied, opening the fridge door for me.

I grabbed two sodas and handed one to him before I returned to the living room, where I stood next to the couch. "I'm sorry about making you hide and not introducing you right away. That was ridiculous of me. I wasn't expecting Jane to show up, and I didn't know if any of my other sisters were with her, so, I panicked. I wasn't sure if you'd want to meet her, either...I didn't want to force an introduction on you."

Will sat on the couch and then took my hand in his and pulled me down next to him. "You have nothing to be sorry about, believe me. I'm glad I met your sister."

When I didn't look up or respond, he tilted my chin up with his index finger, forcing me to meet his eyes. I took a shuddering breath. "Thank you," I whispered. I quickly changed the subject. "So, as you can see, Jane is not only a sweetheart but quite beautiful as well."

Will regarded me steadily. "I will concede that your sister is very kind and beautiful, but she's not my type."

"Oh, really? What's your type then?" I teased. "Tall, dark, and elegant? Or is it the gingers you favor?" I struggled not to laugh at his rueful expression.

Will captured me around the waist and tickled me lightly. "Actually," he replied in an equally teasing tone while taking my soda from my hand and setting it on the coffee table before returning his hands to my waist, "I like intelligent brunettes with green eyes and a lively personality." His smiling eyes held mine and his hands stilled for a moment before he began to stroke my sides with his thumbs. His grip tightened and he leaned toward me, until his face was only a couple of inches from my own, his eyes never leaving mine. I held my breath, and then – his phone rang. Will exhaled heavily and sat back, pulling his phone from his pocket. "That's my sister's ringtone. I have to take this."

"No problem," I replied, taking a deep breath. Had he almost kissed me? My heart pounded in my chest. "Would you like some privacy?" I offered, half-hoping he'd say he did so that I could get some air outside on the balcony. I should have just told him I'd give him some privacy and made my exit.

"No, please, stay."

I stood and picked up my soda can from the coffee table before settling back into the cushions on the opposite end of the couch, subtly putting some space between us.

"Georgiana," Will answered his sister's phone call. "How are you, love?" The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile as he cast a sideways glance at me. "Yes, in fact, I'm at Elizabeth's now." He nodded in response to something his sister said. "Georgiana," he held up a hand in a calming gesture, as though his sister were seated across from him in the room and not four thousand miles away. "Calm down. Yes, sweetheart, I'm glad-" he closed his eyes and massaged his forehead with the fingertips of his free hand while he listened in silence for a couple of minutes. "Yes, I know what Charles said." Will's eyes strayed to mine again and he winked. "I do intend to follow his advice. Yes, and yours, too," he laughed softly. "Yes, I will tell her. Of course, I promise. I'll ask her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Alright, love. I'll talk to you later. Goodnight."

He leaned back in his seat.

I absently twirled a strand of hair around my finger, waiting for him to say something. When he made no move to speak, I voiced my thoughts. "I meant to ask if you had called your sister. I saw her comment on the photo you posted."

"Yes, I missed that, and she was eager to speak with me about it. She would like me to tell you 'thank you' for putting up with me. Apparently, according to Georgiana, I can be trying at times," he scoffed. "She'd like me to ask if she can add you on social media."

I didn't know what to say. On one hand, I didn't want to hurt his or Georgiana's feelings, but on the other, what would happen if things didn't work out between us? I needed to think about protecting my own heart, too.

Will seemed to pick up on my thoughts. "Elizabeth," he leaned forward and cradled my cheek in his palm. "This will work. I promise you that, for my part, I will do whatever is in my power to ensure that it will."

"How did you know what I was thinking? Did you finally puzzle out that algorithm you were working on?" I asked with a half-hearted smile.

The edges of his mouth curved up. "No. I may not know what you're going to say next, but your emotions are easy to read." When I gave him a baffled look, he continued, smiling widely, "Never play poker. Everything you're feeling displays itself for all to see on your lovely face."

I pressed my mouth into a thin line, annoyed that he could read me so easily, while I still struggled to understand him. "Excellent. Remind me never to play cards with you," I gave him a quick smile before it melted from my mouth and then shook my head slowly. "I just don't know how I feel about all of this. It seems too good to be true, and experience has taught me that if something seems too good to be true, then it usually is."

Will dropped his eyes to the floor for a moment as if considering his words. "I understand that this is going to take some work and time. Anything worth having or keeping for that matter takes time to build, including trust. That said, I hope that, with time, you'll come to trust that my intentions and feelings are honest and sincere."

I stared steadily at him for several moments, studying him, my mind and heart caught up in a maelstrom of uncertainty and fear. I watched as a hint of the same emotions crept into his dark blue eyes, and I didn't like the fact that they were there because of me. The urge to reassure him overpowered me and, with a slight nod of my head, I said, "I agree that it takes time. It's just that everything about this," I motioned between the two of us with a wave of my hand "has caught me completely off guard. That said, I hope you know that my feelings are sincere as well."

Will raised an eyebrow and smiled a little. "Well, you've made it abundantly clear by your words and actions that you're not interested in pursuing a relationship of any kind with me because of my money or celebrity status. So, that leaves only sincerity."

"And don't you forget it, either," I winked. "Do you have any plans for the evening?"

"No," he replied with a shrug of one muscular shoulder.

"I could make supper. Chili and cinnamon rolls?" I offered.

"Supper sounds wonderful, but did you say chili and cinnamon rolls?"

"I did," I nodded with a grin.

"I mean no offense, but that sounds like a very odd combination."

"I know how it sounds, but it's a Midwest thing. You dip the cinnamon roll in the chili and eat it. It's actually very good. In fact, at school, kids look forward to chili and cinnamon roll day. Besides, the cinnamon rolls I have are from the Czech bakery here in the Old Market.

Will regarded me doubtfully.

"Oh, come on, give it a chance! Besides, I'm sure you have your quirks." I narrowed my eyes. "Confession time – admit to one weird thing you do," I challenged.

"Fair enough," he allowed. Deep in thought, he tapped his fingers on the narrow strip of couch cushion that separated us. "There are a few movies and television series that I greatly enjoy, but instead of wasting hours watching the whole thing through after the second or third viewing, I skip to the scenes with the principal characters, around whom the plot centers. I do the same with books as well, on occasion. I get the best of both worlds – the essential storyline and the end result, without all the drama in between."

"So, you wouldn't call yourself dramatic, then?" I asked. "That's a bit ironic, considering your career choice, don't you think?"

"No. Irony aside, I'd rather avoid misunderstandings at all costs, by communicating well in the first place. Think about half the books you've read and the movies you've watched. If the main characters would have communicated effectively and rationally in the first place, and if they had been upfront with each other, they could have been spared the pain, drama, and angst of completely unnecessary misunderstandings."

"But that's not the way people work," I argued. "Besides, if you do that, then you're missing the foundation and substance that the relationships are built upon – the things that strengthen and weaken them alike. It's all part of the beauty of the reconciliation and the end result."

"Aye, I know." Will's mouth settled into a grim line. "Maybe that's the real reason I've avoided relationships." He shook his head and gave me a grim smile. "Your turn. Tell me something odd about yourself."

"Chili and cinnamon rolls aren't weird enough for you?" I smirked. I pursed my lips and traced a line on the leather upholstery with my index finger as I thought about my answer. "I love music. All kinds. Everything ranging from classical to big band, soul, rock, country, metal, you name it. At one point, I even wanted to teach music instead of history. Anyway, sometimes, while driving or making up lesson plans, I'll turn the music up and imagine I'm conducting an orchestra or choir." I felt my face flush with embarrassment after admitting to one of my silliest habits.

Will absently rubbed his chin with his thumb. "Hmm, and what's the last song you conducted for your imaginary ensemble?" he teased.

I raised an eyebrow. "Will I Am's Bang, Bang," I reluctantly admitted.

He laughed aloud. "From The Great Gatsby?"

I grimaced. "Yes."

Will rested his arm on the back of the sofa, propping his head up with his hand. "You don't like F. Scott Fitzgerald?"

"I'm not a fan."

"Oh, come on," he cajoled.

I threw my hands up in the air and headed toward the kitchen. "That's another discussion for another day!"

Will kept me company while I cooked. When the soup was finished, we sat down at the table with our steaming bowls of chili and cinnamon rolls. He watched as I broke off a piece of my roll, dipped it in my chili, and popped it into my mouth.

My eyes rolled involuntarily in delight. "Man, that's good."

He looked down doubtfully at his own bowl.

"Come on. I dare you," I winked.

He reluctantly followed my example by tearing off a piece of his roll and dipping it in his chili. He held his breath for a moment as if preparing for something terrible. Finally, he took a bite, and his eyebrows rose in surprise. "Hm, that's surprisingly good."

"All that fuss," I shook my head.

"Alright then," he countered, "I'll just load your roll up with whipped cream."

I glared at him and allowed a small smile. "Touché." I took another bite of my cinnamon roll. "So, you return to work tomorrow?"

The edge of his mouth turned downward. "I do. My first meeting begins at nine o'clock. I have a dinner meeting in the evening, and then more meetings Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, I need to prepare for two presentations taking place Wednesday: one with the Darcy Enterprises team back in Manchester, and another with a prospective acquisition. I'm afraid I won't have another break until Wednesday evening, and then only for an hour or two. May I see you then?" he asked with a questioning look in his eyes.

I nodded. "I'd like that."

We finished our dinner and lingered at the table a while longer, talking.

"I hate to leave, but I'm afraid I must," he finally said, glancing down at his watch.

I looked up at the clock on the kitchen wall and was surprised to see that it was already ten o'clock. We rose from the table and walked to the door. "Thanks for coming, Will."

"I'll see you Wednesday night," he answered, squeezing my hand. "Sweet dreams, Elizabeth."

"Goodnight," I whispered, closing the door behind him.