Waiting for Mr. Darcy (14 page)

“A real ‘guess who's coming to dinner' moment, huh?”

“Oh, God yes. And then we were fat, too. I thought Mrs. Blanchard would die on the spot.”

Nathaniel burst out laughing. “I can imagine. How was her dad?”

“Mr. B was cool. He would have the cook secretly bring us ice cream after Mrs. Blanchard gave us fruit and cottage cheese for dessert.”

He made a face. “Yuck, cottage cheese.”

“No kidding.”

“Tell me,” he leaned forward, “what kind of shenanigans did you girls get into at boarding school?”

“I forgot girls' boarding schools are the stuff young men's dreams are made of.”

“I have to admit it crossed my mind.”

“Well, I hate to disappoint you, but we weren't a part of the ‘in' girls who went on dates, spent hours doing their hair, smoked pot or snuck boys up to their rooms. We were straight A students. Our only crime was being big in a sea of skinny and mostly blonde girls. Gabby, though, had the blonde thing covered.”

“You survived.”

“Yes, we did.” Alicia had a far-off look in her eyes. “It would have been nice, though, if someone had asked us out, even once.”

“It was their loss.” Nathaniel took a chance and got closer to Alicia. “I bet you were a beautiful girl.”

Before she could utter a word he kissed her gently. “And you're a beautiful woman.” They kissed again, and though the first kiss took Alicia by surprise, she kissed him back the second time. The kiss intensified as they wrapped their arms around each other.

Nathaniel struggled to keep his hands still. He longed to explore the curves of her body and feel her soft skin under his touch, but he held back. Alicia tingled from head to toe. It was a rush she hadn't felt since Kurt. She wanted more and it scared her.

She pulled away. “Oh.” She pulled at her dress nervously.

“Alicia, I don't want to push, but I want to spend more time getting to know you, and I hope you want to know more about me.”

“I do. It's been a long time.”

“I understand. You're a widow.”

“Yes, and I haven't gone out with a man for coffee, let alone a date.”

“I totally get that.”

“Do you really? I need to do it at my own pace. Can you live with that?”

“Yes.” He stood up and took her by the hand. “As long as it takes.”

“Thank you.” She got up.

“It's getting late. I should let you get some rest.”

“Okay.”

She walked him to the door.

“How about dinner on Friday night?”

She laughed. “You don't waste any time, do you?”

“Not when something's important to me.”

“Dinner would be nice.”

“Great. I know I only live next door but I'll pick you up at seven. Is that okay?”

“Sounds good.”

“Great.” He kissed her hand.

Alicia's stomach filled with butterflies as Nathaniel leaned in for another kiss. They were on fire the minute their lips touched again, so enraptured they didn't notice a tickled Harrison had come in.

Harrison cleared his throat and the bubble burst.

“Oh, hi, Harry.” Nathaniel smiled.

“How long have you been standing there, Harrison?”

“Long enough.” He chuckled.

Nathaniel turned to Alicia. “On that note, thank you for dinner and I will see you Friday night.”

“You're welcome. I'll see you then.”

He kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, Alicia. Sweet dreams.”

“Good night, Nathaniel.”

“Check you later, Harry.” He patted him on the back.

“Okay, Nate.”

Nathaniel walked off with a little pep in his step. As Harrison closed the door, Alicia tried to make a clean getaway. She made it up four steps.

“Oh no, you don't, young lady. You're not getting away that easy.”

Alicia stopped.

“I know we said you should be nicer to Nate, but I didn't know you'd be that nice,” he teased.

“I don't know what happened. We had a nice time at dinner.”

“Obviously.” He winked.

“Don't do that, Harrison. I actually feel kind of guilty.” She sat down on the staircase.

“Why? You didn't do anything wrong. I was just teasing you.”

“I know, but I haven't kissed anyone like that since Kurt.”

He walked over and took her hand. “It's okay, Alicia. You haven't cheated on your husband.”

“Why does it feel like I did?”

“That's only natural, Alicia. You feel like that because you're getting on with your life, which is something Kurt would have wanted you to do.”

“My head says the same thing, but my heart is another matter altogether.”

“Give it a chance with Nate. Are you going out with him?”

“He asked me out to dinner on Friday night.”

“Did you say yes?”

She nodded.

“Good.” He helped her up. “Go out, have a good time and just enjoy yourself. If today has proven anything, it's that life can change in an instant. You need to live in the now.”

“I know you're right.” She yawned.

“Gabby and Lauren will be thrilled.”

“It's just a date, Harrison. I didn't split the atom.” She began to climb the stairs.

“You're going on a date for the first time in how many years?”

“I'm afraid to count.”

“As far as we're concerned, this ranks right up there with solving global warming.”

“You're hilarious, Harrison,” Alicia said wryly.

“I've got a million of em.”

* * *

Just before she went to sleep, Alicia sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the photo she kept of Kurt in her night table.
Nathaniel's the kind of guy you would have a beer with, I think.
Her fingers lightly outlined his image.
Oh, my God, Kurt. I kissed him. What would you think about that?

Harrison saw her through a crack in the door. “Alicia?” he knocked.

She put the photo back in the drawer and slipped into bed. “Come on in, Harrison.”

He walked in. “I just wanted to see if you needed anything before I went to bed.”

“I'm fine, Harrison. Thank you.”

“Okay.” He paused. “I saw you were saying good night to Kurt.”

“I don't do it every night like I used to, but I wanted to see his face before I went to sleep.”

“I understand.”

“Harrison, do you really think Kurt would be okay with my going out? Give me your honest opinion.”

He smiled warmly. “Alicia, I already told you I'm sure of it.”

“I know you did, but I still feel weird.”

“It's only natural you'd feel weird. Kurt was the first and only man you ever loved.”

“I thought we'd be together forever.”

“You're still together. He's right there in your heart, just like Martha's in mine.”

Alicia smiled. “Oh, my God. I kissed Nathaniel Becker.” She shook her head. “What was that about?”

“If I had to guess, I'd say you were attracted to him.”

“I don't understand.”

“What's to understand, Alicia? You like him. You really like him.” He did his best Sally Field impersonation.

Alicia threw a pillow at him. “Hey! You're a regular comedian tonight, aren't you?”

He picked the pillow up. “All kidding aside, Alicia, you're going on a date, that's all. Whatever happens after that, you'll deal with it. For now, take it one day at a time.”

“You're right. I should relax.” She snuggled under the covers.

“Now get some rest.”

“Good night, Harrison.”

“Good night, dear.”

Chapter 10

Although Ken had returned his apartment key, Lauren decided she was better off working from her office in case Ken rang the doorbell with his latest conquest. Moreover, she wanted an excuse to wear the new cream-colored “non-Hillary” pantsuit she'd bought from Lord and Taylor. She possessed an extensive wardrobe and although In the Mix Productions had a dress-down policy for the summer to give people a break, she rarely exercised her right to dress down. She was, however, exercising her right to be on the phone.

“So you're telling me she and Nate are going out?” She grinned like a Cheshire cat.

“You heard it here first,” Harrison said.

Lauren laughed. “Will wonders never cease?”

“Not if Nate has his way.”

“He is into her. It's about time she noticed.” Lauren tapped the desk.

“Amen to that, sister.”

“Where is Alicia anyway? I was sure I'd hear her stirring by now.”

“Believe it or not she's still in bed. I think yesterday's events caught up with her.”

“Good. She needs the rest.” Lauren looked at her watch. “Listen, Harrison, I've got a stack of paperwork to get through. I'll give her a call later so I can tease her.”

“I know you will.”

“I'll talk to you later.”

“Okay, Lauren.”

Lauren hung up the phone and spun around in her chair. “Alicia's going on a date with Dr. Nate.” She laughed. “Heck, it even rhymes.”

“Knock, knock.”

She looked up. It was Ken's agent, Patrick. “Hey, Patrick, what brings you by this neck of the woods?”

The short, silver-haired man smiled wide with his baby blues. Lauren knew he wanted something.

“Do you have a few minutes?”

“Have a seat.” She motioned for him to sit and braced herself. “What's up, Patrick?”

“Ken called me about the email the network sent you.”

“I forwarded it to you. Didn't you get it?”

“Yes.”

“I thought it was pretty self explanatory.”

“You're right, it was.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Ken asked me to try to convince you to work with me on it.”

“Why? You're more than capable of dealing with the powers that be.”

“He's used to having you on it as well.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think he's the client. I'm just following instructions.”

Lauren shook her head in disbelief. “He's already a field commentator on the highest rated NFL show on television, and now they've asked him to cover the training camps this summer. It's all good. What more does he want?”

Patrick just looked at her.

A light went off in her head. “He wants to be one of the guys behind the desk, doesn't he?”

“He is a football great.”

“Those guys paid their dues to get where they are. They didn't have the advantage of being married to a network insider.”

“I get it, but you know how Ken is when he has something on his mind.”

“Enough said. You can tell him you asked and I said no. If he wants it, he's going to have to wait and work like they did.”

“He's not going to be happy.”

“It's not my job to worry about Ken's happiness anymore. He's a big boy and he can take care of himself.”

“Everything else aside, Lauren, I am sorry about the divorce. I know Ken ruined a good thing.”

“I appreciate your saying that, Patrick.” She sighed. “Life goes on.”

He got up. “Is it okay if I give you a hug good-bye?”

“Sure.” She stood up and they hugged.

“You take care of yourself, Lauren.”

“You too, Patrick.”

When he left her office, Lauren turned her chair to face the window.
It's hard for me to swallow that for the second time in a row I picked a man who was more interested in what I could do for him than in me.
She sighed aloud.
I paid my dues. Mitchell thought he was going to ride my coattails to go from production assistant to executive producer, and when that didn't happen he was out the door. Ken said he wasn't interested in playing the game with the network.
She huffed.
That was a joke.

Her phone rang.

“Lauren Jules-Jones,” she answered, still in a huff.

“Whoa! Who put a bee in your bonnet?” Gabby asked jokingly.

“Sorry. Patrick was here.”

“Ken's agent was there? What did he want?”

“He was doing Ken's bidding.” She shrugged it off. “It's not worth talking about. Anyway you're calling about the big news, I bet.”

“Yes. Alicia's going on a date.”

“Can you believe it?”

“I think something must have happened in that pool.”

“As bad as it was, it was sort of romantic. I mean, she fell in the pool and he rushed over and pulled her to safety.”

“And he gave her mouth to mouth.”

“Alicia doesn't remember any of it.”

“I bet you he does.”

“Have you talked to her yet?” Lauren asked.

“I called earlier, but Harrison said she was still in bed.”

“Oh, that doesn't sound like her at all. You know Alicia gets up with the worms.”

“I know. I bet after yesterday Harrison has her on lockdown.”

Lauren laughed. “You know she's going nuts.”

“God knows I love her, but she's a royal pain in the butt if you try to hold her down.”

“Let's hope we don't wind up with two people in recovery.”

* * *

“You know I'm the person who signs your check,” Alicia fumed.

“I know.” Harrison put a tray of tea on the table.

“How am I supposed to stay on top of things if I'm not in my office?”

After the pool incident Harrison had been keeping a more watchful eye than usual, so instead of being in her office, Alicia was exiled to the family room.

“You have your fan mail to keep you busy,” Harrison said, nodding towards the bag of letters next to her.

“What about my email?”

“You have a staff to help you with it. Why don't you let them do their job?”

Alicia shot him a dirty look as she opened a letter.

“Was that so hard?”

She opened the letter.

“Who's it from?” Harrison asked as he sat down.

“It's from Nadia Duncan, who watches on WABC TV in New York. Nadia says she enjoys all of the cooking, decorating and entertaining ideas, but she wants to know if I'll ever expand to include gardening tips.”

“She obviously doesn't know your background.” He laughed.

“That's true. I'd much rather read
The Good Earth
than put my hands in it. Kurt was the garden lover.” She paused a moment. “He would spend weeks, even months, creating just the right soil mixtures for every tree, flower and potted plant we had. Whenever I wanted to know where he was, I'd just follow the dirt trail.”

Harrison smiled.

She pondered a moment. “You know, we do give gardening tips in the magazine. Maybe I should think about adding a ‘green' corner.”

“That's not a bad idea.”

“I'll talk to Lauren about it.”

“See? It's not so bad going through actual mail for a change.”

“You might have a point,” she admitted grudgingly.

“Mind if I write that down?” he joked.

“I'm not that bad.”

He got up and kissed her on the forehead. “No, you're not that bad at all.”

The doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting anyone today?” Harrison asked.

“No. Must be a delivery or something.”

“I'll be right back.”

“Okay.” Alicia went back to sorting through the bag of letters. “I thought they said letter writing was dead.” She looked at all three bags.

“Look who I found.”

Kurt Jr. rushed over to the sofa and hugged her. “I heard what happened yesterday in the pool. I would have been out here yesterday, but we were working way out east and I had no reception.”

“I understand. I'm fine, sweetie.” She patted his back.

“Are you sure, Mom?” His eyes seemed to fill with tears. “I'm so sorry I wasn't here yesterday.”

“Oh, sweetie, if you cry I will fall to pieces right here.”

He wiped his eyes. “I know, Mom. It's just the thought of losing you…”

She caressed his cheek. “I'm not going anywhere. You see I'm still in one piece.”

“Thanks to Nathaniel Becker,” Harrison added.

“I have to be sure to thank him, too. I'm sure you thanked him.”

“Sure,” Alicia said weakly.

“Mom, the man saved your life. Surely that rates a thank you.”

Alicia looked over at Harrison, who looked at the wall.

“What's going on here? What's with the looks?”

Alicia knew she needed to bite the bullet and tell him about the date, but she was hesitant.

“I'll leave you two alone for a while. I'll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me.” Harrison left.

“What is it, Mom? Are you really okay?”

“Well…” she began.

“Come on, you're killing me, Mom.”

“I invited Nathaniel to dinner last night to thank him.”

“Oh, that was nice.”

“I thought it was the least I could do, but then…”

“Then what?”

“Nathaniel asked me out to dinner Friday night and I agreed.” She braced herself.

Kurt Jr. didn't say a word.

“I realize this is sudden, so if you're not comfortable I won't go.”

“Why in the world would you think that, Mom?”

“It's one thing to say you want me to date, but it's something different when it happens.”

Kurt smiled. “I've been the one telling you that you needed to date.”

“But you and your dad were so close.”

“Mom, I love Dad and I miss him every day, but I want you to be happy and live your life. I think it's great that you're going out on a date.”

Alicia felt a tear roll down her face. “Thank you.” She kissed his forehead.

“I can't say I'm surprised it's Nate.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah, Mom. It's kind of like elementary school. Guys pick on the girls they like, and Nate never seemed to miss an opportunity to get under your skin.”

She laughed. “So you mean even though they go from recess to recessive hairlines guys still use playground tactics? That's funny.”

“It works.”

“Apparently.”

Kurt Jr. leaned back on the sofa. “So how long has it been since you've been on an actual date, Mom?”

“Ronald Reagan was president.”

“Wow.”

“Hey!” She playfully hit him on the shoulder. “It's not like I said Lincoln.”

“Okay, Mom.” He rubbed his shoulder.

Harrison walked back in. “Everything okay in here?”

“Yes, Mr. H. Mom's going out with Nate.”

“I know. Will wonders never cease?”

“You think Nate knows what he's in for?”

“Hey!” Alicia protested.

“I'm just teasing, Mom.”

“Kurt, I made your Mom's sour cream coffee cake. Can I interest you?”

He jumped up. “You don't have to ask me twice.” He turned to Alicia. “Are you coming, Mom?”

“You go ahead for now. I'm going to go through a few more letters and then I'll join you.”

“In case you're thinking about it, I locked your office door.”

“Okay, warden.”

“Very funny, Alicia,” Harrison said as he turned to leave.

As Alicia sorted the letters she listened to Harrison and Kurt Jr. chat in the kitchen, and for a moment she remembered the sounds of him and his dad from the house in Bronxville. Kurt had had an infectious laugh that filled whatever room he was in and Kurt Jr. sounded just like him. Deep down Alicia knew that a man who loved life as much as Kurt did would want her to get on with the business of living.

* * *

After she'd spent the day supervising new installations and working with the event planner for the upcoming exhibit, Gabby returned to her office. She still looked pulled together in a simple yet classic black sheath dress with a soft yellow jacket. She knew the outfit would make a nice transition from day to evening for her date with Nigel.

“I have to remember to ask Victor about the lighting crew,” Gabby mumbled as she jotted her thought down.

Robin walked in. “Listen, I know it's the end of the day but I need a little caffeine. Do you mind if I go on a Starbucks run?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Do you want anything?”

“No, I'm going to dinner in a little while.”

“Okay. I'll be back in a flash.” She turned and left the office.

Gabby sat down and wrote her notes.

There was a knock at the door.

“Yes?” She looked up and saw Terrence Talbot. Tall, slim and blond, he was a tanner version of her ex-husband Bill.

“Hi, Gabby. It seems your assistant stepped away from her desk, so I took a chance.”

“She went on a Starbucks run. How are you, Terrence?”

“I'm good, thanks. I was in the neighborhood on business and thought I'd stop by and say hello.”

“That was nice of you. Come on in and have a seat.” She motioned.
I'm going to kill my mother.

“I ran into your mother a couple of weeks ago at the club.”

“I know, she mentioned that at tea last Sunday.”

“Oh, she did? I told her to tell you hello, but she said I should do it in person.”

“That's my mother.”

“So how have you been? I haven't seen you around the club in forever.”

“The gallery keeps me busy.”

“I noticed. How are the kids?”

“They're great, thanks. Ian's bouncing between the city and the Hamptons, and Lizzie's in Europe.”