My Own Mr. Darcy (28 page)

“You know Mom’s going to
cry, right?” Chad asked.

“She already did at the
consultation.”

“Imagine what she’s going
to do when she sees this. I can’t believe this is the same room we were ripping
wallpaper out of ten days ago.”

“I know. It’s so
different.” I looked at the wall for a moment longer. “Well, one room down, one
to go.”

We resumed our work in the
living room. “Why is this rug so thick?” Chad asked as I cut the tape off the
huge rolled rug.

“Wait ‘til you see it. I
couldn’t resist it when I saw it. I was so glad your parents liked it.”

When the last of the tape
was off, we slowly unrolled the rug. “Wow,” Chad said.

“Do you like it?”

“Well, yeah. I’ve never
seen anything like it.”

The rug was eleven feet
long and eight feet wide. It was called shag but it wasn’t like any shag I’d
ever seen. It was made of thousands and thousands of beige “petals” of wool
felt. They were long and soft. The rug was thick and luxurious and unusual.
Perfect.

“Wait ‘til you see how it
feels,” I said.

The next thing I knew,
Chad was sprawled across the rug. “Yeah, I could sleep here. You tired?”

“No.”

“You sure? We could take a
quick nap.”

I stood over him shaking
my head. “Are you really going to make me step over you to get the room set
up?”

“No. Help me up,” he said
putting out his hand. I reached down to pull him up. The next thing I knew, I
was down on the rug. “See, you are tired.” I laughed and started to get up. “At
least enjoy it for a second. You should know how plush the rug is if you’re the
designer.”

It did feel soft. I stayed
there for a few moments, my hands playing with the petals. “It’s nice. Now
let’s get to work.”

We each took an end of the
couch and moved it to the right spot and then moved the chairs. “Next time I
stay overnight, I’ll just tell mom to make up the living room rug instead of
the bed,” Chad said and I laughed.

And then the smile left
his face, replaced with a look of concern.

“Can I help you?” he
asked.

I turned to look toward
what Chad had seen and there stood Matt. Tall, handsome, imposing Matt. I was
used to his brooding, arrogant carriage but right now, he looked angry.

“The door was open,” Matt
said as if that explained why he was here.

“Matt? I didn’t know you
were coming.” I said.

“I can tell.”

“I’m just helping Lizzie
with the heavy furniture,” Chad said. “I’m Chad, by the way.” He stepped
forward and held out his hand. Matt waited a long, awkward second before he
shook Chad’s hand.

“You said I should come by
and see what you’ve done,” Matt said. His voice dripped with indictment. I knew
things looked bad, but the first thing that popped into my mind was how glad I
was he hadn’t walked in while we were both stretched out on the rug.

“I didn’t even know you
were back from Seattle,” I said.

“I drove home this
morning. I thought I’d surprise you.” Matt spoke to me but his eyes were
fastened on Chad’s face. I braved a glance at Chad. He was looking at me with a
concerned expression. I was sure my cheeks were flaming. I didn’t know what to
say to fix this. Matt’s anger, Chad’s concern, my embarrassment. Or was it
guilt? Or was it anger? I wasn’t sure what I was feeling.

“Can I talk to you in the
kitchen for a minute?” I asked Matt. He didn’t answer me but he followed me
into the kitchen.

I realized my mistake as
soon as I walked through the door. There on the counter were the remains of our
meal—empty Chinese containers. Two paper plates and two glasses, one empty, one
half filled with water. Matt stared at the counter, his jaw clenched. “Did you
want to tell me something?” he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

“I think you have the
wrong idea about what’s going on here,” I said.

“Please, enlighten me.”

“I couldn’t set up some of
the furniture by myself. Chad offered to help me. That’s all.” My voice faded
as I finished.

“And?” Matt said looking
at the remains of our meal.

“And Chad was hungry and I
hadn’t eaten lunch, so he got us something to eat.”

“Well, that was very
thoughtful of him. The more I hear about Chad the more I realize what a
gentleman he is.”

“Matt . . .”

“I suppose I should be
thanking him for taking such good care of you while I was gone. How else did he
take care of you?”

My repentant feelings were
suddenly overtaken with anger. I hadn’t quizzed him about working for more than
a week with Meg. In Seattle.

“Excuse me. Lizzie?” Chad
leaned his head through the door.

“Yes?” I said.

“I think I’ll just take
off. Unless you need any more help.”

“I can help her if she
needs help,” Matt said, watching me.

I just wanted to get Chad
out of this uncomfortable situation. “That’s fine, Chad,” I said. “Thank you.”

“No problem. It was nice
to meet you, Matt.”

“Likewise,” Matt said,
barely glancing at Chad.

I listened as the front
door closed. Suddenly I realized the leftover Chinese food was in the
refrigerator. That’s what he got for coming to help me? Glares and hostility
and no leftovers.

“That wasn’t fair, Matt. I
needed the help. Nothing else happened except that we ate some food and he
helped me.”

“He’s an old boyfriend,
Elizabeth. Or should I say Lizzie?”

“We only went out a few
times, Matt,” I said. Immediately I felt guilty. It was true we’d only dated a
few times but it was also true that except for Matt, Chad was the closest thing
I’d ever had to a real boyfriend. He was the only other guy who’d ever kissed
me or made my heart pound.

Matt must have sensed my
ire because his tone softened. “I don’t want to argue with you, Elizabeth. I
wanted to surprise you. I wanted you to be excited to see me.”

“Matt, I am. It was just
awkward timing. And it wasn’t fair to Chad. He was just trying to be nice.”

Matt clenched and
unclenched his jaw. “Then let’s forget about that and you can give me a tour.
And I’ll help you with whatever needs finished up in there.”

“Okay,” I said.

“But first, I’ve been
looking forward to a kiss.” Matt smiled and took me in his arms. “I’ve missed
you,” he said and kissed me on the lips. Not once, but three times. Then he
pecked my forehead. “Lead the way.”

I tried to show enthusiasm
and excitement as I showed him what I’d done, but I felt self-conscious and
even a little phony. Matt oohed and ahed at all the right things and
complimented me on my choices of furniture. After the tour, he helped me move
the last pieces of furniture into place and then we brought in the lamps and
artwork. Our conversation was pleasant as we worked but I didn’t feel
comfortable. I didn’t know how to reassure Matt without feeling dishonest.

I put a pewter vase and a
family picture on the mantle, careful not to look at a fifteen-year-old Chad,
smiling at me from a sandy beach somewhere.

“It’s finished,” I said,
looking around at my hard work.

“You did a beautiful job.
They’re going to be thrilled.”

“Yeah. I think they’re
going to like it.”

I went to the kitchen and
cleaned off the counter. Matt didn’t follow me. “Are you going to take
pictures?” Matt asked when I returned.

“Yes, but I’ll need to
come back when the lighting’s better.”

“Of course,” Matt said.
“Would you like me to bring you tomorrow?”

“That’d be great. Thanks.”

Matt kissed me goodbye at
my car. It felt like he was a homesteader staking his claim. My emotions were
at war. I was glad he felt possessive. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to
want me. I just hoped he’d feel that way all the time, not just when he felt
threatened by my friendship with Chad.

“Keep tomorrow night
open?” he said.

“Sure.”

“And you pick the
restaurant. Anywhere you want.”

“Ooh, I’ll have to do some
research,” I said. Matt laughed and held me close.

“Man, I missed you,” Matt
said.

“I’m glad you’re home.”

Matt rested his forehead
against mine. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

Tears stung my eyes. I
pulled him close and kissed him. I didn’t want to talk.

I was brushing my teeth
before bed when my phone vibrated.

CHAD: EVERYTHING OKAY?

LIZZIE: YES. THANKS. YOU
LEFT YOUR FOOD.

CHAD: I KNOW. I’LL GET IT
TOMORROW.

LIZZIE: HOPE THAT WASN’T
TOO AWKWARD FOR YOU.

CHAD: I’M FINE. I CAN
HANDLE ANYTHING.

LIZZIE: BRAGGING?

CHAD: OF COURSE. I WAS
WORRIED ABOUT YOU. DO YOU NEED ANY MORE HELP?

LIZZIE: NO. MATT HELPED
ME FINISH UP. THANKS FOR ASKING.

Several minutes elapsed
and I decided our conversation was finished. Then the phone vibrated again.

CHAD: YOU DID A FANTASTIC
JOB.

LIZZIE: THANKS. I HOPE
YOUR PARENTS LIKE IT.

CHAD: THEY’RE NOT GOING
TO LIKE IT.

CHAD: THEY’RE GOING TO
LOVE IT.

LIZZIE: WHEW! YOU HAD ME
NERVOUS.

CHAD: YOU’VE GOT NOTHING
TO WORRY ABOUT.

LIZZIE: MATT’S BRINGING
ME BY TOMORROW SO I CAN TAKE SOME PICTURES. I DIDN’T TAKE THEM TONIGHT CAUSE I
WANTED BETTER LIGHTING.

CHAD: THANKS FOR THE
WARNING. I’LL STAY AWAY TOMORROW DURING THE DAY.

It all felt a little
clandestine and my heart was racing. It was hard to breathe. I wasn’t sure what
to say.

LIZZIE: I DIDN’T MEAN
THAT AS A WARNING.

CHAD: I KNOW. I’M JUST
TEASING YOU.

LIZZIE: THANKS AGAIN FOR
YOUR HELP. SORRY AGAIN THAT YOU HAD TO ABANDON YOUR FOOD.

CHAD: IT WASN’T MY FOOD I
FELT LIKE I WAS ABANDONING.

Oh crap.

CHAD: I JUST THOUGHT IT
MIGHT BE BETTER FOR YOU IF I LEFT.

LIZZIE: I UNDERSTAND.

CHAD: LET ME KNOW IF YOU
NEED ANYTHING.

LIZZIE: THANKS. GOOD
NIGHT.

CHAD: GOOD NIGHT.

IT WAS SNOWING
 when Matt
picked me up for dinner. Snowflakes the size of nickels floated slowly to the
earth. I’m sure Julie Andrews was singing about snowflakes like these in “My
Favorite Things.” The giant flakes landed gently, clinging to their shape a few
seconds before giving up and dissolving into a damp spot on the sidewalk.