Chapter Three

The restaurant was packed, but Will had called ahead to reserve a table, and the group was seated immediately. This was not a quiet place. There were probably a dozen large-screen televisions showing the most popular sports, including post-race shows. People crowded the bar area, and filled every available seat. Thankfully, their table was actually a booth in the back of the restaurant, and was far quieter than the rest of the room, though still not peaceful.

After ordering their meal, the couples discussed the race. Liz and Jane were fascinated with the way the men used their hands to talk and passionately declared their opinions on everything from the officials’ calls to the rookie drivers’ mistakes. Will and Charles were impressed with the ladies’ intelligent questions and obvious understanding of the nuances of racing.

“How long have the two of you been race fans?”

Jane looked at Liz with her brows raised and her lips twisted to the side and asked, “Since we were, what…eight and ten?”

Liz nodded. “Yep, I’m pretty sure you’re right. It was the year Uncle Edward moved back from Alabama. You remember how he was all full of stories about the cars and wrecks and stuff? And he brought a video for us to watch?”

“I do! He made it all seem so exciting, and after that, we bugged Daddy until he got a satellite dish installed so we could watch every weekend.”

Liz laughed at the memory. “Poor Daddy. All he wanted was to be left alone. He still does not understand our fascination with racing. If we could get him out to a track, I know we could change his mind!”

“He won’t attend a race with you?” Will, who grew up in a racing family, shook his head, mystified. He glanced at Charles, who was also looking confused.

“My dad didn’t like racing much, but he hauled my butt around all over the south because I wanted to drive cars. I can’t imagine not sharing that with him.”

Jane tilted her head. “Does he still come to your races?”

“No, not now. Says he’s too old, but I think my sister Caroline manipulates him into staying away. The only thing she likes about racing is Will, here.” Charles laughed at his friend's sour look and rolling eyes.

“She’s never going to get me. I hope you told her that.”

“Oh, I did, but Caro is nothing if not persistent.” He looked at the girls. “I had to ask the sanctioning body to yank her hard card and ban her from attending races. She’s positive that she will be the next Mrs. Will Darcy, despite the fact that he runs the other way when she comes near. Not even a restraining order has kept her away!”

Liz and Jane’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” Liz breathed. She was not certain she wanted to be involved with a man who had a stalker.

Will threw a glare at his friend. “Yes, really; however, a week in jail seems to have cured her of violating it. I have not seen her in months.”

Charles blushed, embarrassed at having annoyed his friend and possibly damaging their chances with the Bennet girls. “I’m sorry. I like to tease Will, and sometimes I get carried away. Caroline took a trip to Europe when she got out of jail in February. She’s not supposed to be back for at least another year. She took a job with a fashion magazine.”

Liz nodded. “Oh, ok. That’s good.”

“Yes,” Jane seconded her sister. “That’s very good.”

There was an awkward silence for just a minute, until Charles cleared his throat. “Well, then.”

Will shook his head at his friend once again before turning his attention to the waitress, who winked at him and, he would swear, wiggled her chest at him as she served his food. Not wanting Liz to think he would flirt with another woman when he was on a date with her, on top of being uncomfortable with strangers, Will first glared at and then ignored the server, earning himself and Liz a dirty look.

Conversation slowed as the group ate. Looking at Jane’s salad, Liz was glad she ordered the cheeseburger. “Is that even good? Will’s wings look better than your meal!”

Jane giggled at the loathing in her sister’s voice. Liz liked salad, but this one did not look particularly appetizing. It was almost as if the kitchen staff had run it through a food processor, lettuce and all, before plating it. “It tastes better than it looks. How’s that greaseball on a bun?”

“It’s actually pretty good. That onion has a kick that will keep me coming back for more!” Laughing at Liz’s imagery, they discussed food and restaurants while they ate.

Meals consumed and bellies full, the large group chat morphed into two small groups. Jane and Charles sat together on one side of the table, having a quiet conversation, while Liz and Will did the same on their side. They talked about themselves—their education, their travels, and their hobbies. A love of racing was not the only thing they had in common, to the relief of both.

For Will, everything about Liz drew him in. Not just her physical beauty, though she had plenty of sex appeal. She was intelligent, with strong opinions. She did not flatter him or agree with every word out of his mouth. One of the drawbacks to dating the famous women he had was that so many of them were either brainless or had some really deep, dysfunctional issues. He had learned to pick up on the clues, and though her younger sisters seemed to be a handful, Liz appeared to be perfectly normal, as did Jane.

Liz greatly enjoyed the evening, despite the bump in the road that was Charles’ sister. Will was respectful and gentlemanly. He had held opened the car doors for her, and the door to the restaurant. He made sure she was comfortable in her seat before he took his. He listened to what she had to say, looking her in the eye and treating her with respect. He did not interrupt or speak over her, as so many other dates had. He was confident, to be sure. One could almost call him cocky. But she supposed, since he was a top-notch professional driver in the most difficult racing series in the world, that was to be expected. She liked him, a lot. A whole lot.

They were interrupted when the waitress returned and handed Will the check. Thanking the woman politely but still refusing to do more than stare haughtily at her, he looked to his left to see Liz pulling out her wallet. “I’ve got it. My father would skin my hide to find out I took a lady out to eat and let her pay for her own meal.”

Liz hesitated. “Are you sure? You’re not getting anything out of this once you drop us off at the hotel.”

“I’m sure, and I don’t expect anything else. I have enjoyed your company. Matter of fact, I’d like to do this again. Can I call you this week, once I have time to sit down and figure out the logistics?”

Relieved that Will was not planning on trying to spend the night with her, Liz readily gave him her cell phone number. Another sign of respect, she thought, very well pleased.

After their respective contact information was exchanged and the waitress had dealt with their bill, the four rose, making their way to the front. The guys decided a pit stop was in order, so Jane and Liz used the restroom, as well. Liz, always quick to do her business and get on with her day, let her sister know that she would wait in the lobby. Knowing as she did that Liz enjoyed watching people, Jane agreed.

Liz stood along the wall as guests came and went. She mostly observed those in her direct vicinity, but after a few minutes, turned her attention to those seated just beyond the hostess center. Her attention was suddenly arrested by the profile of one of the diners. Liz could swear the girl was Will’s sister, but she never turned around. The guy she was with appeared to be a lot older than Georgie, though, with a hardened look that Liz didn’t like. She’s old enough to date, if that is her. Liz mentally shrugged, as her shoulders raised and lowered slightly. It wasn’t her business, anyway. Surely, her dad wouldn’t allow her to go out with someone that much older. Must not be her. Liz shrugged again and looked away, certain the girl could not be Georgie. At that moment, Will, Charles, and Jane all exited the restrooms and Liz’s attention was drawn from her observations.

A few minutes later, Will and Liz stood to one side of the door to the girls’ hotel room, with Bingley and Jane on the other side.

“Thanks for going out with me. I had a great time.”

“Thanks for asking. I enjoyed it, too.”

“I’ll be calling in a day or two. We fly back to North Carolina early tomorrow, and Tuesday we’ll have meetings at the shop, but I should know by then what our plans are for the rest of the week.”

“That’s great; I look forward to hearing from you. You know, though, I’m not sure we can get away again next weekend. We have jobs we have to get back to.”

“No problem there. I’m a licensed pilot with access to more than one private plane. I’ll come to you, and I’ll make sure to have you home by midnight, so your glass slippers don’t get lost.” Will leaned over Liz, his hand above her head on the wall. “I’m going to kiss you.”

Liz felt the breath leave her body at his nearness. When his lips brushed hers ever so slightly, she gasped as a spark jumped from his lips to hers. When his mouth settled more firmly on her still tingling one, she had to stifle a moan. Heavens, he tastes good! She struggled to remember why it was she refused to give herself to someone she was not married to. I’ve never had a kiss like this before. This must be why Lydia is such a floozy. At that thought, Liz’s mind snapped back into focus. She did not break the kiss, but she didn’t allow it to deepen any further either.

Will knew the moment Liz realized what was happening. She went from soft and pliable and melting into him to firm and withdrawn. Immediately, he pulled back, as well, softly ending the kiss and leaning his forehead on hers. “Wow.”

Liz giggled nervously. “Yeah, wow.”

“I intend to repeat that again soon.”

“Yeah.” She nodded and moved away. “I should let you go.” She nudged Jane, who was deep in a kiss with Charles, then unlocked the door and pushed it open. Liz looked back at Will. “Thank you. Good night.”

“’Night, Sweetheart.” He pulled Bingley away. “I’ll call soon.”

~~~***~~~

True to his word, Will called Tuesday afternoon. “How’s my favorite Social Media Marketer?”

Laughing at his words, Liz replied, “Busy. How are you?”

“What? I’m not your favorite stock car driver?”

“Ha! No, Mark is. You have more work to do to prove your worth.”

“You’re a hard woman, Liz Bennet.”

“So I’ve been told,” she responded dryly. “You, sir, are a flirt.”

Will’s warm chuckle filled her ear. Liz swallowed a sigh as the sound seemed to settle in her chest. It would not do to give in to this man too easily, in any area. He had the potential to not only break her heart, but grind it into the ground and burn rubber over it.

“Are you busy tomorrow night?”

Liz’s brows rose. “Tomorrow? Are you sure you can get away in the middle of the week?” As she spoke, she pulled up her digital calendar.

“Of course I can! Do you doubt me?”

“Should I? Or do you take that as a challenge?”

“I’m a racecar driver. I can find a challenge in anything.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Alrighty then. I’m free tomorrow after five. What did you have in mind?”

“I found a very nice place to take you. Not fancy, so you don’t need a little black dress or anything.”

“Any clues where it is or what it’s called?”

“Nope. Total surprise. Text me your address, okay? I’ll pick you up at quarter after five.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow.” Liz hung up the phone with her head shaking. She knew she’d make herself crazy trying to figure out where he was taking her, so she put it out of her mind, instead texting him her street address and then getting back to work.

Liz was just cleaning up her desk when Jane arrived home at their shared apartment. Jane was an interior decorator and also worked from home, but her job required her to be out and about more often than Liz’s did. Jane also sold makeup on the side; interior decorators were not in high demand in the part of Ohio where the Bennets lived, and she needed something to supplement her income. Selling makeup, mostly through her social media contacts, was a lucrative business, and if decorating was not her first love, she might give it up entirely.

Both girls enjoyed being able to work from anywhere, and not being tied to a desk in an office. Liz worked mainly for her father, who ran a small software development firm, but she freelanced on the side for other businesses. She hoped to one day start her own social media marketing company.

“How was your day?”

Jane huffed. “Two words: Mrs. Merrick.”

“Oh…that bad, huh?”

“Yes, that bad. We got the room completely painted with the color she insisted on today, and were cleaning up to leave when she came in and demanded that we change it…to light blue! Do you know how many coats of paint it’s going to take to cover the dark green she originally chose?”

“Oh, Jane! I’m so sorry. I know she has frustrated you from the beginning.”

“She has! But, I refuse to think about her any longer today. Charles is supposed to call in a few minutes. I need to jump in the shower; if I’m clean, my mood might improve.”

“True. I started supper a while ago. While you shower and wait for your call, I’ll get it ready to dish up.” Liz was speaking to Jane’s back, as she had already shut the bathroom door. Amused at her sister’s eagerness to get past her difficult client, Liz headed to the kitchen. She threw together a salad to go with the spaghetti and meatballs she had prepared earlier.

When Jane finally came out of the bathroom, she was already on the phone. From what Liz could tell, it was Charles she was speaking to. Taking her meal to the living room to give her sister some privacy, Liz turned on the television. She was halfway through her plate of pasta when her own cell phone buzzed. Picking it up, she saw that it was a text message from Will. Wavering for a few seconds, she finally decided to wait to look at it until she had finished eating. She was serious in her intent to not allow him to wrap her around his little finger.

Several minutes passed as she leisurely consumed her meal. She spent the rest of the evening exchanging texts with a persistent Will Darcy.