“Yeah. The really nice one.” Eliza picked up the fallen accent pillows and tossed them on the bed. Might as well quit stalling and just let her mom know the truth. She rubbed her lips together and took a deep breath. Her heart began to harden.
Her mom waited.
“Apparently, Will saw them together, and didn’t think Jane really liked Charles.”
“What?” Her mom looked stunned.
“So he told Charles that she was a gold digger, only after him for his money.”
“Are you kidding me?” Mom looked like she was about to explode. “Of all the nerve!”
“So that’s when everything screeched to a halt. Charles told Jane that he’d be too busy at work to date her, and walked away.”
“Breaking my poor girl’s heart.”
Eliza nodded. “Yeah, I’ve never seen Jane cry like that before. I think she was more hurt and confused than anything. Had it been a natural break, it would’ve made sense. But to be treated as if she meant nothing to him just devastated her. Especially since she’d been wondering if he was the one.”
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Hang on—I’ll answer it. You’re still in yesterday’s dress.” Mom headed toward the door and asked, “Who is it?”
“Melissa, it’s Will. I’ve got Eliza’s purse and phone.”
Mom opened the door. “Good. Have a seat. You’re just the man I was hoping to see.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:
Eliza could hear her mother begin to grill Will, and like the wimp that she was, she decided now would be a good time to take a shower. She closed her bedroom door. No reason for them both to jump on the poor guy.
After she was all clean and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, she removed the towel from her hair and began to scrub it dry when she heard a light tap on her door. “Come in,” she called.
Will peeked his head in. “Hey, do you mind if we talk?”
“Sure.”
He walked in and quietly shut the door.
“Let’s sit on the comfy chairs.” She pointed to the two high-backed chairs near the window. “Give me a second and I’ll join you.”
Will walked over and chose one without saying a word. Eliza busied herself with straightening the bed and then putting away her towels before joining him. Once she sat down, it was still a couple of minutes before he spoke.
She’d never seen him look so pensive.
Eventually, he let out a long breath. “So, it seems I owe you an apology.”
She shook her head. “Not me, really. It’s more for Jane.”
His gaze collided with hers—she could tell he was absolutely miserable. “No. I owe you one first. This hurt you. I’m the sole reason for that, and I’m sorry. I never meant to cause you any pain.”
Crossing one leg over the other, she leaned an elbow on the arm of the chair and looked at him, not ready to give in. Her heart was still too bruised from the night before. “Why did you do it?”
He sighed. “I was a fool. I . . . I had an issue with people only wanting my money, and I didn’t want to see my friend fall blindly into a trap.”
“Jane never would’ve expected anything from him.”
“I know—your mom made that quite clear. I’m sorry, Eliza. I really am.”
“I don’t know what’s more shocking—the fact that you put your nose between the middle of two adults having a relationship, or that you were so clueless to judge her harshly.” She let out a smirk. “Me, sure. Judge me. That’s fine. But Jane? The sweetest person on earth? Really?”
“These past few minutes, I’ve been trying to put myself in your shoes. What if someone had destroyed a relationship of Georgia’s? One that she was finally able to have after all she’s been through, and he was a great guy. What would I’ve done to that person?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Honestly, I’m surprised you’ve talked with me at all. Then, after learning about it, you still flew out here to help me. I don’t deserve you.”
“What was I supposed to do?” She closed her eyes. “Of course I would come help you. Of course I’d be there to support Georgia. We may have our differences, but what we disagree on will never lessen someone else’s value.”
“Yes, but while you so easily dropped everything and came to help my sister—without judging—I wasn’t so kind. I not only had degrading thoughts about your sister, but I shared them with Charles. I figured I was right. Nothing was more important than my own opinions. Problem was, I ruined her so well that my ever-loyal and trusting friend eventually saw things my way and dumped her.”
Eliza couldn’t take anymore. She stood up. “Stop.”
“I—I’m done. I’m sorry. I know this is painful.”
Her hand shook, and she clutched the arm of the chair for balance. “It is painful. It’s too painful. And after your reaction last night, I really don’t think we need to talk about anything other than work. You’ve made it clear what you think of me and my sister. So let’s change the subject. Do you have my phone? I’d like to check it for messages, to see if there’s anything I need to do for the office today.”
“Eliza…”
“I thought you had my phone. Where is it? With my mom?”
“Eliza, wait.”
She put her hands on her hips. “What?”
“I love you too.”
His words punched her in the gut so hard, she took a step back.
“I—what did you say?”
He stood up, holding his hands out. “I do. I still love you. Even more than when I first asked you to marry me a week ago.”
“But last night … you left.” She was so confused.
“I left so I wouldn’t scare you. You have no idea how badly I wanted to shout and hold you and talk a hundred miles an hour. What I’ve been dying to do since I woke up so happy this morning. And I could barely contain myself enough to walk out the door last night. You were exhausted. You needed sleep. And I needed to calm down.”
She blinked and slowly dropped her hands from her hips. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
“But what does it mean?”
He chuckled. “Do you have any idea how adorable you look so confuzzled like that?”
“Confuzzled?”
“Yep. You are the definition of confuzzled.” He began to walk toward her, taking very cautious steps. Once there, he gently held her just below her shoulders, then slid his hands down to capture her elbows. “Look, I know this is new and very fragile—and pretty much some serious thin ice right now, until I can make it up to Jane and Charles.”
She gave a lopsided smile. “You would do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I feel like an idiot right now. You have no idea.”
One eyebrow rose. “You do realize that Jane and I are from the same family, right? I mean, weren’t you worried that I was a gold digger too?”
“Ha. No. I knew better than to believe that of you. You’d have laughed in my face.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I knew right away you weren’t the type to be fooled by the greediness. You’d made it clear you found my lifestyle distasteful.”
She nodded. “Always interjecting my ideas on where we should have business luncheons.”
“Reminding me not to waste money.” He shrugged. “It was because of you that I became more aware of how much I had wasted all these years. I began to save, and give more generously to charities than I’d given before.”
“You mean like the women’s shelter?”
“You knew?” He put his hands in his pockets. “You were always talking about women’s shelters, so I thought if I’d donate to help their cause, it’d impress you and let you see I wasn’t always about the money.”
Wait a minute. “You did it to impress me?” Then why didn’t she know about it until Jane said something?
“Yeah. That was the plan. Except when I got to the shelter and met with some of the people there, I realized how much they ne
eded me. Well, my money.”
“That’s when you decided to pay for the rest of their remodeling?”
“That’s when my purpose changed. It’s when I decided this was so much more important than impressing you. This was women and children’s lives and self-worth at stake.”
“You’re pretty much amazing.”
He chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “Now what?”
He grinned a small grin, as if he were afraid to. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I think we should do some fun stuff together in the next couple of days. Just see how things go. Take everything slow and steady and . . . just see.”
She nodded. “I’d like that. Try to give this—us—some time to see if we actually fit as well as we think we might.”
“Oh, you fit.”
She blushed. “Good grief. Don’t look at me like that!”
“Like what?” His eyes challenged hers to glance away. She didn’t dare.
“Like I’m lunch.”
“It’s those lips. What can I say? I can’t help it.”
She giggled. “You know what?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re the most aggravating, annoying, horrid man in all of the—”
He kissed her.
When she pulled away, she continued. “I can’t believe the junk you’ve put me through. Seriously. I could write a book on what an—”
“I said I was sorry.” He silenced her again. This time for much longer.
By time she released again, she sighed.
“Feel better?” He smiled.
She shook her head. “No. I think I’ll need a few more.”
Will laughed. “Gladly.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
They spent the rest of the day Friday just exploring the fun things to do in Vegas. It was the first time Georgia had been out on the town since she got there. Eliza’s mom was more than game to throw ideas around as well. Will had his car take them to Ethel’s Chocolate Factory and get their own private tour of the place—which was absolutely incredible. Eliza had never tried chocolate so delicious and fresh before. Then Melissa suggested that they visit the Botanical Cactus Gardens next door.
They each carried a small bag of their favorite chocolates and walked over to the gardens. Eliza’s mom insisted on teaching them about the different cacti and their purpose in the desert environment.
“Your mom really knows her cactuses.” Will nudged Eliza’s shoulder as he came up next to her.
“Cacti,” she whispered. “And yeah, she does. Don’t get her started on the flowers that grow in Utah or we’ll never leave.”
“I don’t mind, actually. It’s really kind of cool just to be here, outside, with you.” He popped a chocolate in his mouth and then easily slid his hand into hers. She loved the feel of his strong larger hand wrapped around hers.
Georgia grinned as she came up to them, her eyes definitely noticing the linked couple. “So, do you two have something you want to tell me?” She beamed from one to the other.
“About what?” Will grinned.
“Ahem.” Georgia tucked her arm through her brother’s. “You know, anything exciting about the two of you that’ll make me totally eager to begin planning, say—I don’t know—a bridal shower or something?”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Oh, no, not you too. You’re as bad as my mom.”
“Hey!” Melissa hollered. “No wedding plans until Will gets out of the dog house. Period.”
“What?” He acted shocked. “This isn’t enough?”
Her mom flipped her short curls and lifted up her sunglasses. “Are you kidding me, boy? I’m expecting one heck of a birthday. And gifts. Did I mention gifts?” She tapped her foot. “And they’re not your typical lavish fanfare, either. I mean, one happy Eliza and a very delighted Jane oughta give you a bit more room to talk.”
Will threw his head back and laughed. “Duly noted. Though, what if I’d like to send a few lavish gifts your way—would you accept?”
She tsked. “Of course I would. Do I look like a fool?” Flicking at her earlobes, she said, “I prefer sapphires.”
“She has no shame.” Will laughed.
“None at all.” Eliza tugged at his hand. “You’re better off not encouraging her.”
“I heard that,” Melissa said as she toddled off toward a beautiful section of flowering cacti with her large white purse in the crook of her elbow. “Come here, Georgia, and tell me which ones are your favorites.”
They waited until Georgia headed off before Will stopped and looked down at Eliza. “She’s pretty amazing.”
“Who? My mom?”
“Yep. When we were chatting earlier—er, more like when she was chewing me out about Jane—she mentioned that this past year, she’s been trying to get you to see me. She realized we’d be perfect for each other the moment you told her about your first awful day of work.”
Eliza nodded. “It’s so true. She’s been hounding me about you nonstop ever since.”
“Hey, what’s that face? I love that she’s like that!”
“You do?” Was the guy insane?
“Of course. As long as it’s me she’s trying to set you up with, I’m one-hundred percent in on any and all shenanigans she comes up with.”
She chuckled. “You would be.”
“Do you blame me?” Will kissed her, right there in the Las Vegas sunshine.
With each new kiss, Eliza’s world centered a bit more. She became that much closer to believing in this surreal reality. Eliza Bennet was actually kissing Will Darcy in a garden in Vegas. There were some things that needed to be repeated over and over in her mind before she could believe they were actually true.
When he pulled back, he brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You have no idea what kissing you does inside me.”
She looked at him funny and chuckled. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. This must be what a teen girl feels like after her crush asks her to dance.”
Eliza laughed. “I honestly have to say, that is the most disconcerting thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth!”
“What? It’s true, though. It feels all giddy and girly and weird.”
“I’d stop while you’re ahead. This is only getting creepier.”
He shook his head. “Man, I’ve needed you. You’ll never be afraid of me, will you?”
“No.” She looked toward her mom and his sister and then back over at him. His eyes searched hers as the clenching in her heart tightened. She didn’t realize until that moment. “The only thing I’m afraid of is losing you.” And she meant it. Every word.
He nodded, his face matching hers in their sudden moment of seriousness. “I know exactly what you mean.” They stared at each other, absorbing it all, before Will glanced over at the other two and broke the spell. “How do you think your mom is holding up? I was hoping to take Georgia to the indoor amusement park, but we can do that tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I think Mom will be a lot more tired than she lets on. Let’s save the park for tomorrow and take her to dinner and then to a symphony or off-Broadway show. Do you know of any that have seats available?”
He fished in his pocket and pulled out tickets to see Disney’s Newsies or the London Pop Orchestra, both that night, each of them during the same time and in different casinos.
“Will? You didn’t!”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t risk them being sold out, so I bought exclusive seats for each. Then I figured I’d let you guys decide.”
Did he think of everything? “I can’t wrap my head around this.”
“Oh, and I’ve got tickets for both of them tomorrow night too, just in case you girls couldn’t choose.”
She kissed him for his craziness. But mostly she kissed him for his thoughtfulness. He’d chosen the two perfect performances for their group—nothing risqué or loud or showy, proving that his gues
ts were incredibly important to him. And what man thinks like that? Who does that? “I love you.”
“Yes!” He grinned and then kissed her again. “That’s twice today.” He waggled his brows. “Ten times, and you get a treat.”
She laughed. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“You don’t get to know. Not until you’ve earned it.”
“Ha! Well, who’s to say you’ll earn ten ‘I love you’s’ from me?”
“That’s three!” he exclaimed as he stole another kiss.
After taking them to a sampler buffet dinner, they chose Newsies for the first night. He dropped the girls off in time to get all dolled up again and then back out to the show. There were new songs, and the acting, choreography, everything, was brilliant! Eliza loved the excitement in the air, the extra buzz that energized the whole room whenever live theater took place. It was simply exhilarating.
However, about two scenes in from the second act, Will received a text.
After reading it, he passed the phone over to Eliza.
They’d found Joe. He was gambling at a casino right then. The owner had agreed to keep him in the area, making sure he stayed right where he was—which meant, keeping him winning—until Will could get there.
She looked at him in the middle of a flashy song and said, “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:
Will passed the phone to Georgia and Melissa. After reading it, they waited until the scene ended before getting up and leaving the theater.
“Okay, I’m going to drop you three off in front of the hotel and then head to the other casino. Is that all right?” Will asked as they got into the car.
“Are you out of your mind?” Eliza was appalled.
All three women complained.
“Wait a minute. Are you saying you want to be there when we get Joe?”
“Yes!” Georgia sounded ticked. “I—out of anyone—deserve a chance to see him get arrested!”
“She’s right, Will. Why would you even think of dropping us off?” Melissa buckled her seat belt. “Take us to the casino.”