"So, did you have a nice time last night, Beth?"
"Splendid," Beth glared at Jenna, who was rummaging in the fridge. "Can you get the whipped cream?"
"I'll take that as a no, then," Jenna answered, setting the can in front of Beth, who lost no time in obscuring her cheesecake with it.
"Let's hear about your night instead, Jenna. Who was the guy you were dancing with?"
Jenna sighed happily. "His name is Les."
Beth raised her eyebrows. "Let's hope Les is more, then. Want some?" Beth offered, nudging the cheesecake in Jenna's direction.
Jenna looked skeptical. "It's not a very healthy breakfast."
"Well, I figure if I'm packing on calories of this magnitude, I'd better do it in place of a meal."
Jenna grabbed another fork, resigned, and dug in.
"So, does Les-is-more have a last name?"
"Bradford," Jenna said around her cheesecake. "He's from New York originally, but he moved out to California after college."
"Okay…..and he's in Wyoming because…..?"
"He's in real estate - he flips houses. He bought that old abandoned mansion on Netherfield and he's renovating it."
"Cha-ching," Beth said dramatically. She was surprised when Jenna didn't laugh, keeping her eyes on the cheesecake.
"I think so," she said in a small voice, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. "I mean, I think he's quite well off. He paid a thousand dollars for a dance with me, Beth. Who does that?"
Who indeed? Beth responded inwardly, thinking of the nameless scoundrel from last night. Beth didn't know how much money he'd offered her, but the outside bill had been a twenty, and the roll of folded-in-half bills had been at least an inch thick. Beth mentally shook herself. She shouldn't be comparing Les to what's-his-name because they both had money.
"So, what's he like, then?"
Jenna brightened. "He's such a gentleman. A really good dancer, too. His sister Kara goes to school here. I think she convinced him to buy the house and move here."
"Kara Bradford? Do you know her? It sounds familiar, but I'm not getting a face," Beth asked around her mouthful.
"I met her briefly last night. She's……nice."
Beth looked sharply at Jenna, licking the last of the cream off her fork. "Why the hesitation?"
"Nothing. She's just……really different than Les."
"Hm. Well, he sounds nice. Did he ask you out?"
"Not exactly. He asked where I live. It was kind of crazy after we danced. I think he might have sponsored the whole thing last night."
"Well, he sounds like a catch," Beth pronounced as she set her plate in the sink.
Jenna followed suit. "What about you? You didn't look like you were enjoying yourself much last night."
Beth snorted, inwardly debating how much to tell Jenna. Maybe she would feel better if she vented. She downed the last bit of juice in her glass. "My 'sponsor' or whatever you want to call him was a total jerk. He wouldn't dance with me, and he said he hates children." I'm paraphrasing, but still, Beth added silently.
"Wow. That's….unfortunate. Maybe he was having a bad night."
"I think it more likely that he's just a bad person, Jenna."
"He can't be a bad person. He was at a children's benefit, and he did rescue you from that stage….."
Beth slammed her glass into the sink with more force than intended, drawing back when the glass cracked and a shard pierced her palm. She sighed, turning on the faucet to rinse away the blood. Jenna grabbed a dishtowel and hurried over to Beth.
"He only bid on me because he felt sorry for me standing up there." Beth scowled. "I know you don't believe it, but sometimes people do things just to be mean, Jenna."
Jenna said nothing, just wrapped Beth's hand up and put an arm around her, steering her back toward the kitchen table. "I'm sorry, Beth. I didn't know you'd be put in that situation." Beth could see Jenna's displeasure with herself on her face. "I should've just let you stay home."
Beth's anger ebbed. "Not your fault Jenna - you didn't birth him."
"Let me get you a band-aid," Jenna said, standing.
"It's not that bad! Don't worry about it. I'm going to shower and I'll get one after."
After impressing on Jenna that she was not in any way responsible for last night's debacle or this morning's laceration, Beth made her way to the shower.
Afterward, she dressed in the bathroom, toweled off her dark tresses, and applied a thin coat of moisturizer to her face. En route down the hall toward her room, which was through the kitchen, she slowed as two voices sounded ahead. She peeped around the corner to see Jenna, still pajama-clad, sitting on the couch next to Les. She wondered if she could backtrack unheard at this point. As she took her first step backward, Les's head popped up.
"Hey! You must be Beth."
He stood, half-jogged to Beth, took her free hand and pulled her into a crushing hug. "Jenna's just been telling me about her other half."
To Beth's surprise, she liked Les immediately. His generous smile was made up of straight white teeth, and his blue eyes twinkled merrily. His skin was at least three shades darker than the Wyoming pasties. California indeed.
"Well, you're behind, then. I already heard all about you."
Les's smile widened, if possible. Beth would never have thrown Jenna under the bus like that if she hadn't been sure of Les's affection. But the fact that he had rushed over here first thing this morning spoke for itself. And, a smart man knew that the way to a woman's heart is through her best friend. He was two for two. Besides, Jenna could be a bit reserved when it came to outward shows of affection. This poor guy could be hanging at Club Clueless for a while.
"We were just trying to organize a little get together tonight. What do you say, Beth? You up for the movies?"
Beth tried not to snort. "I'm sure you've heard this, but I believe three's a crowd."
Les threw his head back and chuckled. "I meant, like, a double date."
Beth raised her eyebrows.
"I know a guy," Les said casually.
Beth usually hated blind dates. But Jenna would be there, physically if not mentally, Beth qualified, seeing the dazed look on her best friend's face. And Les's recommendation would speak for itself.
"Sure, why not?"
"Sweet! We'll pick you guys up at six, then. We'll go grab a bite first."
"I have a study group at six," Jenna said sadly. "We'll have to meet you guys at the theater, after."
Beth suppressed a smile at the slightly sulky tone of Jenna's voice. It was only something you could pick up after years of friendship with someone.
"We'll be waiting out front," Les promised, his blue eyes locking on Jenna like radar. He gallantly kissed Jenna's hand, winked at Beth, and let himself out.
Beth's eyes darted to Jenna, who seemed to be in shock for a moment. Then she grabbed the nearest pillow on the couch, stuffed it over her face, and screamed as her feet did a manic little jig on the awful dorm carpet. Beth laughed, feeling better than she had since the stupid benefit last night, and decided to do something cute with her hair for the date.
DEAF, DUMB & BLIND DATE
"I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
~Elizabeth Bennet, Pride & Prejudice
Beth sat idling by the curb of the library, waiting for Jenna's study group to finish up. Flipping down the visor, she checked her makeup. She had taken more time on her appearance for tonight, needing to make up for last night. Her bright hazel eyes were lined in an olive green and shadowed with a softly sparkling gold. Her dark lashes looked full and her lips were glossed into a rosy pout. She had scrunched mousse into her long hair and blow-dried it until it crawled down her back like dark ivy. A dark plum top accentuated her small waist, and boot cut jeans fit her hips to precision and opened out over black high-heeled boots.
The clicking of Jenna's open-toed heels on the sidewalk apprised Beth that the study group was out. Ironically, Jenna had donned
the same outfit she'd suggested for Beth the previous night. Jenna climbed in Beth's truck, her eyes widening as she took in Beth's appearance. "Whoa, Beth. You look HOT."
Beth chuckled. "Don't sound so shocked."
She returned the compliment, quieting Jenna's frantic backpedaling as they drove to the theater. The Drama Screen was packed, unsurprising for a Saturday night. There were arcade games lining the walls and blinking lights everywhere. The irresistible aroma of artery-clogging movie popcorn filled the air. Behind the counters, employees filled fountain drinks and picked candy from behind the glass case for customers. Beth had always been amused by their uniforms. They were dressed in Shakespearean garb, and they all wore foil crowns that spelled out The Drama Screen. Beth had gotten the humor immediately, but she'd had to explain to Jenna that the theater's name was a play on the phrase drama queen. Hence the crowns.
"Let's just get in line," Jenna said. "It looks like we beat them here."
Beth agreed as the line was long, and it would probably take at least fifteen minutes to get up to the front. She studied the life-sized cardboard characters and giant movie posters for upcoming flicks, her attention returning to Jenna when she squeezed Beth's arm.
"There he is!" she whispered breathlessly. Beth looked up to see a beaming Les making his way toward them, and trailing slightly behind was……..it couldn't be. Not possible. Fate could not be this unkind two nights in a row. But as Beth mentally checked off the physical attributes, the undeniable truth bit down on her hard. Tall, dark, handsome: check. Messy-on-purpose hair: check. Cold black eyes filled with arrogance: check. But then his eyes connected with Beth's, and his expression evolved into something else. Awe? Surprise? Chagrin? None of them were dead-on.
Beth inhaled deeply and mentally squared her shoulders.
"Don't you ladies look scrumptious?" Les said, nodding to both Jenna and Beth.
Beth tried to smile, but it felt more like a tolerant grimace. Les's friend wore a dumbstruck expression. Beth rolled her eyes and looked away. Les busied himself with taking in every ounce of Jenna's appearance, and paying her a secret compliment that required leaning in and whispering in her ear. His friend frowned in their direction.
"Oh, sorry guys!" Les said, finally recalling his responsibility. "Beth, this is my good friend, William Darcy."
Beth nodded. "The philanthropist," she commented sweetly, forging a smile and throwing Jenna a look.
Jenna groaned beside Les as she realized who William was. Les didn't seem to have a clue, and William scowled profusely.
"Have we met?" His cold voice was tinged with annoyance.
Jenna's pale marine eyes pleaded with Beth, but in no way would she let him off so easily.
"Beth Pride," she answered in a sugary tone. "Your pity purchase from the benefit? And, aren't you the founder of Make-A-Wish?"
Before William could react, Jenna grabbed Beth's arm and steered her in the direction of the restroom like an unruly child throwing a tantrum at the grocery store. "Why don't you save seats?" she called politely over her shoulder to Les. "Be right back."
~:~
William slouched in his seat, unable to compress himself small enough to match the way he felt inside.
Les cleared his throat. "Start talking dude."
"I think I may have inadvertently offended Beth last night."
"By…….?"
"I didn't feel like dancing. I sort of……..offered her money instead."
"You think?" Les chuckled in that 'you poor idiot' way of his. "Dude, come on. Inadvertently?"
"Yeah, well, if you remember, I was having……issues yesterday. I wasn't really in a social 'save the children' mood."
"I hope you're good at overcompensating then. Seriously, dude. I don't envy you right now."
"Thanks for the reassurance. You know, you're sort of a crappy friend. It's your fault I went to that stupid benefit in the first place."
"Where's the love? I set you up with a hot girl. And did I mention, I really like her roommate, so be a pal and play nice."
"You've mentioned it," William said moodily. About five thousand times. Les was right, though. William didn't like to categorize girls as 'hot', but he couldn't deny that Beth was attractive. Words of a song he'd heard on the radio came to him: 'big black boots……long brown hair……she's so sweet with that GET BACK stare.' Those lyrics had to be written about Beth Pride. She had sexy hair and a figure that ninety-nine percent of the female populous would kill for - slim but curvy. And something else he couldn't pinpoint. The look in her eyes, maybe. William chided himself for failing to notice any of these things about Beth last night. Then again, he hadn't really looked at her. He had just seen an unclaimed girl standing in a spotlight and acted on impulse. He'd figured the sooner the auction part of the benefit ended, the sooner he could leave.
How exactly did one overcompensate in situations like these?
~:~
"I swear I didn't know, Beth."
"There's no way my luck is this bad, Jenna." Beth sighed. "Maybe I'm on some horrible new reality show."
"I'm so sorry." Jenna said, for the umpteenth time.
"If you apologize one more time, I'm not leaving this bathroom," Beth warned. Jenna fell silent in record time. "I know you wouldn't do this to me twice in one weekend on purpose. But it's a good thing you have an almost boyfriend, because I am SO not going anywhere with you again!"
Jenna blinked her big eyes at Beth but stayed quiet. Beth sighed dramatically. "Okay. Let's get this over with. But we're going straight home after the movie."
Jenna nodded, her show of humility ineffectually masking her glee.
"And don't be all smoochy with him, it'll make it awkward for us."
"No smooching. Got it. Anything else?"
"Yes. Hurry up before I change my mind."
~:~
William tensed as Beth took the seat next to him. Jenna sat next to Beth, and Les was on the other side of Jenna. Unfortunately, the movie previews hadn't started yet, and local freeze-frame commercials were taking turns on the screen. William scuffed his palms against his jeans and cleared his throat.
"Do you want anything, Beth? Popcorn, or a drink?"
Beth eyed him sideways. "Why don't you just give me the cash instead?"
He'd known she wouldn't make it easy, but still. Whoever had coined the phrase 'a woman scorned' knew their stuff. Overcompensate, he told himself.
"I guess I deserve that," he said, smiling.
Beth just quirked an eyebrow over an indignant hazel eye. "Tell me something," she said dryly. "Are you really apathetic about suffering children?"
William knew his candor might backfire. But he was nothing if not honest. "Last night, yes. Generally, no."
Beth scowled for a moment, then shook her head, her eyes closing like she was in pain. Then she breathed deeply and turned back to the screen, which had started rolling previews. The first one opened with a plane crashing and burning. How appropriate, William thought miserably.
~:~
Beth was out of her seat before the end credits started scrolling up the screen. Her torture sentence had been served. Aside from the snide comment about cash, she hadn't spoken to William. He had seemed on the edge of saying something for the first twenty minutes of the film, but then he leaned his elbow against the chair on his right, and kept his eyes on the screen. Beth considered visiting the concession stand for a drink, but chances were Jenna would think she was leaving and chase her. And then Les would follow, and most likely William - and find her standing at the drink counter. So, she had just suffered through the date decaffeinated. Outside the theater, Les and Jenna lingered over pointless conversation while William and Beth stood stiffly. When Les suggested they go for ice cream in a last-ditch effort to stay near Jenna, William and Beth simultaneously feigned hearing loss. A look passed between them, but Beth turned away before she saw William's smile.
OBSERVATIONS
"He is quite distracted by jealousy…
..I know no better support of love."
~Jane Austen, Lady Susan
Beth placed her acoustic guitar in its case and flipped the buckles down. She gathered the music she'd brought along, her guitar course book, and the notebook she kept homework assignments in. Straightening, she gave the room a once-over to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. Her eyes caught on a sandy-haired figure leaning against the door frame.
"Hey, Brandon. Looking for Dallan? He had to cut our lesson short to take a test."
"Actually I was just passing by and couldn't help listening in. You're sounding really good. How come you haven't tried out for Heralds yet?"
The Heralds was Hartford College's show choir. Brandon was the president and asked her at least monthly to consider joining.
Beth laughed. "Dancing in sequined costumes with jazz hands isn't really my thing."
"More of a campfire performer?"
"Something like that," Beth smiled.
"Well, if you ever change your mind, just say the word. You have an amazing voice."
"How would you know that? Wait. Have you been spying on me in the shower?"
Brandon laughed, and Beth discovered that she liked his smile. He wasn't her idea of a heart throb, but he wasn't bad looking either. And he always made it a point to say hello to her.
"Let's just say I may have lurked in the doorway during your lesson a time or two."
Beth felt her stomach drop with nerves. This was only her second year of guitar lessons. She'd only just become comfortable enough with her instrument to attempt singing along. "My condolences."
"Hey, now. I'm serious. You're really talented."
Beth flushed. "Well, tell Dallan that. Maybe he'll let up a bit."
"I'll mention it," Brandon smiled. An awkward silence passed and then he said, "So……I was wondering if you're free tonight. They're showing a movie in the quad later."
"Oh," Beth said, surprised. Usually, she considered herself to be fairly astute in situations like these. But she really hadn't seen this coming. Maybe his admiration didn't have quite so much to do with her astonishing musical abilities after all. "Sure. It sounds like fun! It's Friday Eve, after all."
Pride's Prejudice Page 2
