Waiting for Mr. Darcy (10 page)

“Say what you will, I think he was really moved by it. Or didn't you notice that little ‘house call' he made on you in the ladies' room?”

“How can it be a house call if I wasn't at home?”

“The man walked into the ladies' room at the country club. I think that qualifies.” Harrison smiled as they drove off.

“Don't start, Harrison.”

“What did I say?”

“You're thinking it. Just stop it.”

He smirked. “As you wish, Ms. Archer.”

“Don't be a smart aleck.”

Whether Alicia wanted to admit it or not, she was a little disconcerted by Nathaniel's attention. She couldn't figure out why he'd fussed over her.
He couldn't possibly like me. Oh, that can't be it. He's a doctor. He took an oath,
she rationalized as she stared out the window.

“Are you sure you're okay?”

“Yes.”

“You're thinking about him, aren't you?”

“Will you please drive?” she retorted.

Harrison chucked softly.

“What are you chuckling about?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

“It looks like someone else has it bad, too.”

“What do you mean, too? Nathaniel Becker isn't thinking about me, and I am certainly not thinking about him.”

“Mmm hmm.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What did I mean about what, Alicia? I didn't say anything.”

“It's what you didn't say. That's what you're trying to say.”

“That doesn't even make sense.” Harrison looked puzzled.

“I have a fever. What do you want from me?” She rubbed her forehead. “I just want to get home and into bed so I can forget this whole thing.”

Harrison didn't say another word. While he would hold his tongue the rest of the way home, he silently reserved the right to revisit the subject in detail later.

* * *

With Corinne Bailey Rae on in the background and a glass of lemonade by her side, a decidedly dressed-down Lauren stretched out on the sofa with her laptop.

She hummed along with the music.

“Lauren?”

She jumped. “Ken. What are you doing here?”

“I thought I'd come by to get some of my things. I didn't think you'd be here during the day.”

“I decided to work from home.” She went back to work.

“I thought Alicia's show was on hiatus.”

“It is on hiatus. However the production company is still working, as is the network.”

“I see.”

“Speaking of the network, I got an email from Tony. They want to talk to you about covering some of the football training camps in a few weeks.”

“Really? What did he say?”

“I didn't get the details. I forwarded the email to Patrick.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Patrick is your agent. He's supposed to handle this stuff for you.”

“I know, but you usually get the rundown.”

She stopped typing. “We're getting divorced, Ken. In case you don't remember, you brought divorce papers to dinner last week, and I signed them.”

He looked uncomfortable. “I know.”

“Then why on earth would you think I'd continue as your de facto agent/network liaison?”

“That was business.”

Lauren grew hot. “You don't think my being your wife had anything to do with it?”

“Not really,” he answered sheepishly.

“You know what? It's your business to handle from now on. Aren't you here to get your stuff?”

“Lauren, I know I handled it badly but…”

She put her hand up. “Save it, Ken.”

He picked up his duffle bag and went into the bedroom.

He's got some nerve.
She shook her head, then sipped her lemonade.

A few minutes later he walked back into the living room. “I think that's everything.”

“Okay.”

“If you find anything else I'll come and pick it up.”

“Shouldn't that be the end of it? You moved most of your stuff out during the separation.”

“It should be it, but…”

She cut him off. “If I find anything else I'll have it dropped at your place.”

“What?”

“Yes, and if you'd please leave the key on the table, I'd appreciate it. You did say I could have the apartment, so there is no need for you to have a key.”

Although taken off balance, he put the key on the table.

“Thank you.”

“What's going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You're acting so cold.”

“How am I supposed to behave, Ken? Should I cry and beg you to stay? I've been there and done that. You can't have your cake and eat it, too, Ken. You wanted out and now you're out.”

“I wasn't trying to have my cake and eat it, too.”

The door opened and a very attractive young brunette in a barely there halter dress entered. “Ken, you said you'd only be a few minutes,” she whined.

Lauren looked at her. “That's exactly what you're trying to do, Ken.”

Ken looked like a deer caught in headlights. “Tina, baby, I'll be there in a second. Just wait in the hall.”

“Okay.” She went back into the hall.

Ken picked his bag up. “I guess I'll be going.”

“Bye, Ken.” She waved.

“Bye.” He closed the door behind him.

Lauren got up and locked the door.

That man's ego is too much. I can't believe I twisted myself into knots for him. Well, that's over and Tina or whoever the flavor of the moment happens to be can have him.
She sat back down on the sofa. “What a jackass,” she mumbled aloud as she picked up her phone.

* * *

Alicia took her cell phone out. “Hello?”

“Hi. I didn't think you'd pick up. I was going to leave a message. Aren't you at the club?”

“No, I did my thing and now I'm home.”

“Aren't we going to finish our discussion about Nate?” Harrison called after her.

She put the phone to her side. “There's nothing to talk about.” She put the phone back to her ear. “Sorry about that.”

“What about Nate?” Lauren asked. Her interest was piqued.

Alicia turned to Harrison. “Now you've got her started, too. Lauren, don't encourage him. Remember, you called me. What's up? Tell me while I climb the stairs.”

“Ken was just here with one of his latest conquests.”

“Why?”

“He said he was here to pick up a few things he left behind.”

Alicia walked into her room. “He wanted to make sure you were home pining away for him.”

“There was no pining going on here. I had some work to do.”

Alicia sat on her bed. “Okay. Where's Randy?”

“I told you we're getting together Wednesday, remember? He's got a lot going on this week at the restaurant.”

“Oh yes you did tell me you were getting together for hump day. Emphasis on hump.” She snickered.

“I tell you, Ms. Archer, you certainly have a bawdy sense of humor. I'm sure your fans would be shocked.”

Alicia lay down on the bed. “I don't know why it should be so surprising. You know, I think the sexiest generation probably lived during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. I bet you anything there was more going on underneath all that civility and clothing than we think.”

“Basically you're saying they were freaks behind closed doors.”

“Exactly.”

“You're too much, you know that.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She paused. “You really called because you were a little bothered seeing Ken today?”

“It's pathetic, isn't it?” Lauren was disgusted with herself.

“No, it's only natural. You invested a lot of time and energy into him. It's going to sting every now and then.”

“Well, I want it to stop altogether.”

“Don't worry, it will. In case you forgot, you have a sexy chef in your life now.”

“He is sexy.”

“If that doesn't put a smile on your face, you need to see a doctor.”

“Speaking of doctors, what's Harrison bugging you about?”

“I'm not going down that garden path again.”

“What's the big deal? So he attended the same luncheon you did.”

“It's not a big deal, which is why I'm not going to talk about it. There is nothing to say.”

“I don't know, Alicia, there's more here than meets the eye.”

“The only thing we have here is a woman who is very tired and ready for a little nap.”

“Okay, play the nap card,” Lauren joked.

Alicia got underneath her covers. “Will it get you off the subject?”

“It will for the time being.”

“Then consider the card played.” She closed her eyes.

“Okay, Alicia, I'll let you off now, but we will talk about it.”

“That's fine with me. I'll talk to you later.”

“Okay.” Lauren hung up.

Lauren was still a little mad with herself for feeling a tiny twinge when she saw Ken. However, she knew Alicia was right. The feeling would lessen over time, and her good feelings for Randy were just getting started.

* * *

Gabby usually dreaded paperwork Mondays at the gallery. It was the one day when time seemed to stand still and every minute felt like an eternity. Yet this Monday was different. Instead of trudging through the day, she whistled “Dixie” and managed to get a stack of work done in no time.

Robin knocked on the door.

Gabby looked up from her computer. “Hey, Robin. What's up?”

“Believe it or not, it looks like we actually caught everything up.”

“You're kidding.”

“No. The donor rolls are current, the mailing list is up to date, all the invoices are paid and filed and the final proof for the invitation to the Sixteen to Watch exhibit is off at the printers.”

“Wow.” She looked at the time on her computer. “It's only four.”

“I know.”

“Then I guess you can call it a day.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Go ahead and enjoy some of this summer evening with Steve.”

“Actually, I think I'll head home and crawl into bed.” She yawned.

“You did seem a little exhausted today. Is everything okay?”

“Everything's fine. I'm just worn out from baby-making boot camp.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” Gabby joked.

“I know. What a thing to complain about.”

“You have to relax, Robin. It will happen.”

“I hope so. It just sucks all the romance right out the window. What man wants to hear ‘My temperature's up, let's go! Hop to it! Now let's make sure we're at the right angle.' I can't believe my own ears when it's coming out of my mouth.”

“Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.” Gabby shook her head.

“Don't be. At least the doctor thinks we have a chance of getting pregnant without any surgical or medicinal intervention for now. I have to be thankful for that much.”

Gabby got up and hugged her. “Don't you worry, you'll get pregnant and all of this will become a distant memory.”

“From your mouth to God's ears.”

“So go home, put the thermometer on the shelf and enjoy a nice evening with your gorgeous husband.”

“I know there's a restaurant he's been dying to try.”

“See, you can make it a date night.”

“Thanks, Gabby. Are you sure you don't need me for anything else?”

“Yes. Go. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Gabby. Have a good night.”

“You, too.”

Robin bolted.

Pleased with herself, Gabby went back to her desk and leaned back in her chair.

Her cell phone rang.

“Gabrielle Blanchard.”

“Hi, Gabby.”

She melted the moment she heard his voice. “Hi, Nigel.”

“How's your day going?”

“Terrific. As a matter of fact, it's over. The gallery is all caught up on paperwork, and I can get back to concentrating on art. How's it going with you?”

“I wish I could say I was all done for the day. But this Wall Street mess is making for some very nervous clients.”

“I can imagine. Have any of them been hit?”

“Not really. I stayed away from investments tied to the banking industry and all the mortgage stuff. It made me nervous, so I steered my clients away from it.”

“I bet they're happy to have such a smart and skilled man in their corner.”

“Thanks. Are we still talking about my clients?”

Gabby laughed.

“I really had a great night and morning with you, Gabby.”

“Me, too.”

“I was thinking that maybe we could catch a movie or an early dinner this week.”

“I'd love to.”

“Is tomorrow too soon?”

“I'm sorry, but I'm going to Scarsdale tomorrow after work.”

“That's right, you're good friends with Ms.
Everyday Elegance
/Archer Omnimedia herself.”

“Yes, and I haven't seen her in a little while. Lauren and I are both going.”

“You're good friends.”

“Thanks. Do you think we can get together on Wednesday?” She flipped through her appointment calendar.

“Works for me. I'll meet you at the gallery after work.”

“Okay, it's a date.”

“Can't wait to see you.”

“Me, too.” She grinned.

“I'd better get back to work. I'll call you later. Bye, sweetheart.”

“Bye.” She hung up.

Her cell phone rang a minute later. She picked up. “Couldn't wait for later either, huh?” Gabby used her sexy tone.

“What can't I wait for, Gabby?” Alicia was in bed.

“Oh, hi, Alicia. How are you?” Gabby tried to play it off.

“I'm fine, but apparently you're better. I take it you weren't expecting to hear from me. I'm sorry to disappoint you.”