She should move out. As in next week, if possible. Or at least start apartment shopping. Then her father couldn't dictate her every move nor force her to attend all those events. But first, she was going to see her friend.
She headed inside, looking for the right apartment, then knocked when she found it. The walls were so thin that she could hear footsteps tread toward the door. Once it opened, Anne had to fight to keep the shock off her face. Before her stood a chubby, tired-looking woman with big bags under her eyes, nothing like the energetic, trim, and full-of-life woman she had been in college.
"Anne!" She wrapped her thick arms around Anne and gave her a big hug, nearly squeezing the breath out of Anne. "I'm so glad to see you again! Come in, come in." She led her into the tiny, one-room apartment. All the furniture had seen better days, but Livvy had spruced them up by covering them in rugs. She sat down on the sofa—it creaked under the weight—and padded a spot for Anne. "I can't believe you're in Boston again. I thought for sure you'd be off somewhere, living the grand life instead of stuck in ol' Boston."
"I only moved here a few weeks ago. I've been mainly at home helping my father—"
"With his cancer, yes, I remember. Did the cancer win?"
"Luckily, it did not. We beat it back into remission and he moved here to Boston and is a lot happier."
"And you moved with him?"
"Only for a little while. I'm...actually thinking of going back to school."
"School? But you barely made it your first time through! Anne, you were miserable! Don't go!"
Anne laughed. "It won't be for law school this time. I'll be going for a career I actually have an interest in."
"What is this? Anne Elliot not going to be a lawyer?" She drummed her hands on the back of the couch. "Hurray!"
Anne stared at her. "You're not surprised?"
"Are you kidding? After knowing you for two months, I knew you were in the wrong career."
"Really? Why didn't you say something?"
Livvy shrugged. "You seemed so determined to finish college as fast as you could that insisting you switch careers would have ruined that goal. Besides, I didn't think you'd listen. The pressures of pleasing your family were too strong. But it looks like you've finally bucked their strangling hold?"
"You could say that, I guess. I still love them and want the best for them, but I've come to terms that what they define as success isn't the same as my success."
"What did your family say to that?"
Anne frowned. "Well, I haven't really told them. I'm not sure I ever will to Eliza and maybe not my father. They'll just grow accustomed to me not always on their beck and call, I guess."
"But what of Russelle? She seemed to matter to you the most."
"She seemed somewhat okay with it. Provided I choose the right guy."
Livvy raised her eyebrows. "The right guy? Anne, are you getting married?"
Anne flushed. "No, nothing like that. I...well, I confessed that I would want to be married if I could."
Livvy clapped. "Bravo! I always thought you'd do better as a wife. You have the perfect motherly instincts."
Anne laughed. "Why do you say that?"
"Don't you remember how you were always so eager to tutor everyone? And you were constantly acting like the mother hen to anyone you could get your hands on, herding us to study groups and the like. In fact, I pegged you as the one to get married and have a troop of kids within five years." She suddenly paused, a pained wince creasing her face. "Funny that it was me that got married and not you."
Anne hesitated, not sure what that look meant. "Well, I'll admit I did find it ironic at first. I always secretly hoped to get married while you blatantly insisted you never would, that you wouldn't get caught in the trap of marriage."
Livvy laughed. "That does sound like something I'd say back then. But..." she sighed, a bittersweet smile on her face. "Bart was just too good." Her shoulders fell and she stared at her hands. "Too good."
Anne had a sinking feeling about Bart. "Can I ask what happened to him?" She had assumed Bart was at work, but now she wasn't so sure.
"He died. Last year."
Anne covered her mouth. "Oh, Livvy, I'm so sorry!"
Livvy put on a bright smile. "It's okay. I manage. And, as they say, the past is the past. Can't really do anything to change that. And he'd want me to be happy so," She widened her smile. "Happy I shall be!" She looked around her tiny apartment. "Isn't this such a lovely place? Oh, it's so good to be in Boston and among good friends again."
"Was it not fun on the west coast?" Anne asked.
"Nah, too many cows."
Anne couldn't help laughing. "You're kidding, right?"
Livvy giggled. "I am. There are cows, but not where I lived. And the grand ol' West has its pros but the East will always be my first love."
"So, what are you doing here in Boston? Are you working for a law firm?"
She grinned. "I'm flipping burgers!"
Anne stared. "You're what?"
"Flipping burgers. Working minimum wage at one of my favorite local joints."
Anne couldn't believe it. Her friend who had graduated with high honors and from the dean's list, was working minimum wage? "But—"
"It's fine. I enjoy it. I get to meet so many interesting people in customer service. It's like a whole new world. Very fascinating."
"But, surely you could get a lawyer type job—"
"I'm done with lawyering, actually," she said with a hint of steel in her voice.
"Too many wolves?" Anne ventured.
She laughed. "I remember you describing us like that! And how right you were! Well, not all of them are like that but...well, it doesn't matter," the steeliness crept back in her voice. "I'm aiming for a new direction. Like you! We're both forging new paths. Go us!"
Anne smiled. "I guess we are, aren't we?"
Livvy abruptly leaned forward. "And what about men?"
Anne laughed. "What about them?"
"Come on, don't tell me a pretty thing like you doesn't have them lined up all over the place. There has to be someone you have an eye on. Otherwise, you'd never have the gumption to tell your godmother you wanted to get married."
Anne flushed as the memory of Rick rose to the forefront. "There's no one in particular."
"Not a single one?"
"Well, I do have a date for this weekend."
"You do?" She leaned forward with glee. "Do tell!"
"There's not much to tell. His name is William Elliot—"
Confusion descended on friend's face so Anne rushed on. "We're not related. Well, at least closely. His father used to work with my father back in the day and they figured out where the family name collides and it's way, way back."
Her friend pulled back, wariness in her eyes. "Is this William Elliot a lawyer?"
Anne raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Do you know him?"
She waved her hand. "Oh, we've run into each other a few times when he lived back west. Handsome man, good on his feet, very driven." The tone was airy, but it lacked conviction as if she was spouting something she'd repeated too many times. She leveled a stare at Anne. "Do you like him a lot?"
"I'm...not really sure. I'm trying to give him a chance."
"A chance, huh? That doesn't bode well."
"To be honest, I'm more interested in what he thinks of Penny."
Her friend stared at her. "Who?"
"Penny. She's my older sister's friend. I think something happened between them."
Livvy leaned forward. "Are you actually going on a date...to investigate the guy?"
Anne winced. "That does sound terrible—"
"No, no, sounds fascinating. And you must tell me all about it," there was a command in her voice as if she had more interest than just gossip. "You'll come and visit me after the date, won't you?"
"Of course. You were my best friend in college. Having you back in my life is pure joy."
"Aw, Anne, that's so sweet. I knew you
'd welcome me back even though," she waved a hand around her apartment, "I'm no longer of the so-called high class."
Anne smiled. "Good. I'd hate to end up being that stupid to only be friends with rich, haughty people."
"Amen!" Livvy said, then leaned forward. "So, when's the date?"
"This weekend."
She rubbed her hands together. "Then, come over next week, same time. And save all the juicy bits."
Anne smiled. "Sure."
Chapter 24
For her date, Anne had decided to shop for an impressive outfit, something that would give her the courage to pry into Will's life. Though she and Will had talked several times, she knew practically nothing about him. She didn't even know which company he worked for!
Alas, despite the flattering outfit, she failed to get much out of Will as he showed her the sights of Boston. Either she was terrible at sleuthing or he was really good at avoiding personal questions.
The only nugget she had managed to extract was that Penny was a nice girl who seemed to be a great friend to Eliza. Anne had then tried to pry into how he saw Eliza, but he easily sidestepped that one and turned it into a praise of Anne, making her blush in embarrassment and lose her wits.
Anne gave up and tried to enjoy the date, but though Will could keep up a conversation and tell her fascinating things about Boston, she found herself wishing to be somewhere else, like playing a piano. The same verdict she reached with all her dates ever since Rick.
Despite constant scolding, she couldn't help wondering what Rick was up to. She had swung by the hospital the day before, hoping to run into Charles and hear any information about Rick—oh, and Louisa—but alas, she hadn't found any of the Musgroves. She had texted Charles and learned that James had encouraged them to go out to a restaurant and eat as a family. Charles’ father and James had remained behind with Louisa, but she was unable to contact them. With Louisa being in critical care, only immediate family were allowed in and Anne hadn’t desired to wait for the Musgroves to return and take her in with them. Thus, the entire trip had been pointless. Kind of like this date with Will. The poor guy, lavishing her with praise, but still unable to the touch her cold, unfeeling heart.
She sighed within. What if Rick was her soulmate? She had never really believed in those, but Rick's hold on her was making her think otherwise. She should have tried to change his mind when he came back into her life. She should have been like Louisa: bold and determined, refusing to let him banish her from his heart.
She frowned at the mental image of her trying to win Rick back, hanging around him like a sad puppy, no doubt. She didn't have the needed wit to win Rick back. She didn't even have enough wit to pry past Will's guard.
"You're not impressed, are you?" Will asked, noticing her frown.
She quickly turned it into a smile. "I daresay someone else might be impressed."
"But not the fearless Anne."
"I wouldn't call me fearless," Anne said, thinking of her pitiful attempt to win Rick back. It had been fear that held her back. Fear of rejection. Fear of him gloating that he still had a hold of her heart. That fear still hung over her. If only he'd come crawling back to her like how it happened in movies and books, she'd get over her fear then. Was that too much to ask? For him to make the first move?
"Well, this should impress you." Elliot indicated the shop next to them. A large display of chocolate consumed the window, molded into several of the famous landmarks of Boston as well as a few of around the world like the pyramids, the Eiffel tower, and a tiny rendition of the great China Wall. She couldn’t help wondering if Rick had been to any of those famous landmarks.
"Are they for sale?" Anne asked.
"That and a lot more. They boast of having over three hundred flavors, fifty that are unique to this shop. They even have a tasting area. Want to try it?"
"Sure." Chocolate could always make a day better. Unfortunately, it only made it worse.
"Will!" Her sister's voice rang out as the two entered the shop, but the voice turned shrill when it added. "Anne?"
Anne forced a bright smile, trying to pretend she had happened to walk in with Will instead of being on a date with him. Behind Eliza was Penny and Anne caught a look of alarm when Penny's eyes switched between Will and Anne.
"Eliza! Penny," Will said as if not at all disturbed to see them. Then again, he rarely seemed disturbed at anything. In fact, Anne would bet if he was kidnapped by aliens, he wouldn't bat an eye and would have them eating out of his hands within a day and probably rule their world by the end of the next.
"I see you've found the best chocolate shop in Boston."
Eliza popped one of the candies in her mouth. "Your recommendation has been spot on. Anne, you should try these," she indicated the candies in her hand. Anne was shocked Eliza was actually offering her candy, but then her sister pointed to the other side of the store. "You'll find them over there."
If she had actually liked Will, Anne might have risked her sister's wrath, but since she had already been wishing the date to be over, she meekly obeyed and left Will to Eliza and Penny. Besides, now she might be able to observe Penny and Will and see if she could glean anything about them. Livvy was going to be very disappointed in her pathetic attempt at sleuthing if she didn't have anything to report.
Alas, Will ruined everything by following after her—and probably leaving a fuming Eliza behind him.
"Which ones are you eying?" He asked as they reached a display of samples. "I'd recommend this one." He picked up one and indicated for her to open her mouth so he could put it inside. Resisting the urge to recoil, she held out her hand. "What flavor is it?" She added to imply it was her pickiness about the chocolate that made her refuse, not him himself.
"Marshmallow and cherry." He held onto the chocolate, apparently not going to let her refuse his offer.
Anne swept her eyes around the shop, desperate for another excuse, when she abruptly spotted the Senator stepping out of a restaurant across the street.
"Oh, look, it's Senator Dalrymple."
It was like she had announced an unprotected Hollywood star was out on the street. Will, Eliza and Penny all rushed to the window like kids at an amusement park. If it weren't for the product in the way, she was sure they'd press their faces against the glass. An ironic second later and Anne wanted to do the exact same. Directly behind the senator, following her out of the restaurant, was Rick.
The world seemed to spin around her and Anne gripped the table to ensure she didn't do anything drastic like galloping out of the store and into Rick's arms. He was in Boston! When did he arrive? Recently? Would he seek her out? Or would he only see Louisa?
The senator and Rick shook hands as if finishing a business deal.
"Shall we go over and say hi?" Will asked no one in particular, his eyes on the Senator. Anne ducked behind a display, hoping to not be included in the invite. The last thing she needed was to meet Rick with the fawning Will and seething Eliza in tow. She'd never have the nerve to talk to Rick, then.
"Wouldn't that be too forward?" Penny asked, a slight acidity to her voice.
"Not that forward," Eliza scoffed and marched out, apparently leading the charge. Will shot a look at Penny as if warning her, but Penny answered it with a glare. A second later, both of their faces resumed their normal roles—gracious Will and timid Penny—as they headed out the door as if nothing had happened. Anne knew she should probably follow the two and hope to glean more about them, but she no longer cared about them. All her attention was on Rick. He was checking his phone at the moment, then looked around as if unsure of what to do. But when he spotted her sister leading the charge in his direction, he seemed inspired to immediately head in the opposite direction.
Anne hurried to the front of the shop. She should dash after him. But what should she say? "Hi, I'm stalking you?" wasn't exactly the best conversation starter. Oh, why could she never think of something witty to say? She glanced down to where she last saw him, then ber
ated herself. In those few seconds of indecision, she had lost sight of him. She glared at the chocolate around her as if their sweetness had ruined her life. Why was she always so cautious? It didn't matter if she had nothing to say. The point was to get his eyes on her. Then again, she didn't want to appear ridiculous or desperate. That certainly wouldn't re-inspire his love. How did she even catch him in the first place?
By playing the piano. Alas, no piano heroically appeared in the middle of the street so she could play it. He would fail to hear it, anyway, with all the cars zooming by.
Utterly disappointed with herself, she exited the shop. At the very least, she might be able to salvage this ruined day by sneaking away before Will remembered he was supposed to be on a date. Turning for her grand getaway, she stopped in shock. Not less than ten feet in front of her walked Rick, his attention on his phone, face pulled into a frustrated frown.
Now was the moment. If she didn't do anything, he'd walk right by her and she'd never see him again.
"H-hello, Rick." The unwittiest thing ever, but at least it was a sound.
He looked up, then jerked as if she was a wailing ghost wishing him death.
"A-Anne?" He flapped his jaw for a moment as if the words had taken a deter and failed to arrive at his mouth. "What-what are you doing here?"
Something witty. Please something witty! "Chocolates." Ugh! She feebly pointed to the store next to them. "I had heard they were the best around." Well, that was better than her previous attempts.
He stared at the shop as if stunned to find a shop in the middle of town. What on earth had been on his phone to distract him so much? Was it work? Or maybe Louisa? Please not the latter.
He turned toward her, surprise and confusion fighting for dominance on his face. Gone was the confident, smooth self he'd exhibited with the Musgroves. Why was he so nervous? It couldn't be because of her, otherwise, he'd have acted like this at Uppercross. She half expected him to make an excuse and bolt away, but he waved a hand at the store. "Is it good? The chocolates?"
"Yes, they are." Trying to initiate a conversation, she added, "You should try some. They do samples."
Persuading Him: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 1) Page 20
