First Impressions: A Modern Retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (Meryton Medical Romances Book 1)

by Ruby Cruz

  It was another hour before I heard Luke shuffle into the bathroom, and another half hour after that before he emerged, still bleary-eyed but cleaner and looking slightly less green than before. “Lizzy, I’m so sorry. I’m the worst friend.”

  “You should know by now that I’m your best friend and I know exactly what to anticipate after a night out with you. I went out and got you some coffee,” I gestured to the cup sitting on the counter, “and got myself a second dose. Plus, I did as Colin suggested and took a walk around the neighborhood.”

  “You, Elizabeth Bennett, are the best friend a guy could hope for. Let me down this and we’ll head out for a proper tour of the city.”

  ~

  That evening, my feet ached from all the walking we’d done. Luke made good on his word and he showed me most of downtown Manhattan. We visited South Street Seaport, had a late lunch in Chinatown, walked the length of the Brooklyn Bridge and back, and finally tooled around the shops at Greenwich Village. He even treated me to an authentic slice of New York City pizza, and then insisted we go shopping again.

  “Ed just texted me, said he wanted to meet us for drinks later,” Luke announced. “You must have made quite an impression on him.”

  “He certainly is persistent.”

  “You don’t like Ed?”

  “I didn’t say that. He’s just so…different from the guys I usually date.”

  “Which is exactly why I like him. What’s wrong with him? He’s friendly, intelligent, well-mannered and seems to have the heart of gold you seem to require. Plus, he’s damn hot in that uniform.”

  “He’s not that hot.”

  “Well, you know I’ve always been a sucker for a guy in uniform.”

  “It’s just that he’s…I don’t know. You’re right, he’s friendly enough, but…there’s just something below the surface that comes off as insincere. Besides, he’s stationed in North Carolina. I don’t do long-distance relationships.”

  “Who’s saying you have to have a relationship with the guy? He just wants to go for some drinks. Maybe he just wants a hook-up. Some time with the babes before he’s shipped back out to wherever he goes.”

  “You should know me well enough by now to know that I usually don’t just hook-up with guys.”

  “What about Tony from security?”

  “Ugh, I said ‘usually’ and you know I’ve regretted it ever since it happened. Anyway, it took me forever to even consider the possibility with George and I knew him a lot longer than twenty-four hours.”

  He sighed. “Yes, I know you, my old-fashioned Lizzy. Look, he was just texting to see if we wanted to go for drinks tonight with all of us, not just you. Let’s just go and hang out. I promise to be on my best behavior and to come to your rescue if he comes on too strong.”

  “Okay, fine.” I glanced down at my outfit. “Does this mean we have to go shopping again?”

  He didn’t answer me, just smiled slyly.

  ~

  I was seriously going to go broke with the amount of money I was spending on clothes this trip. Luke convinced me to buy three new outfits, although, I have to admit, each one was much cheaper than the Calvin Klein dress I’d bought the day before. He even paid for one that I’d been on the fence about, stating, “Lizzy, I’m living for free in a great apartment and being paid twenty percent more than my previous salary. I can afford to buy some clothes for my best friend.”

  “Twenty percent? Colin had only offered me fifteen,” I teased. “I guess I do need a fashion infusion into my wardrobe.”

  Having drinks with Ed was a much more sedate affair than I’d anticipated. He chose a cocktail bar in SoHo and when we arrived, we found that he’d reserved a table for us and a few friends from his prep school days. I needn’t have worried about him coming on too strong; his friends appeared to keep him occupied enough that I wondered why he’d even invited us out. Darcy was there as I’d anticipated and I wondered if Ed had set up the whole thing so that he could hookup Darcy with one of the females present. The three women in the group seemed to be of the Caroline Bingley variety: beautiful, privileged, successful and completely aware of the effect they had on the opposite sex. They appeared to be more than friendly and accommodating to Darcy, who was his usual taciturn self. While polite at first, they dismissed Luke and me as soon as they found out we were nurses and not nearly as wealthy as they were.

  Truth be told, I didn’t care about the snub since I would probably never see these people again anyway. The bar itself was nice, with a neo-Asian fusion feel to it and a wide variety of lavishly prepared cocktails available. As I sampled some type of green tea infusion, I relaxed. I’d thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon with Luke and having a leisurely cocktail in an exclusive and trendy bar seemed like the perfect ending to my day. “You look uncharacteristically content,” Luke commented as he sipped his mineral water.

  “This is fun. I have no idea who these people are but yet I feel perfectly content in my ignorance. Plus I’m sitting at a hot bar with my best friend. Things are good.”

  He slipped an arm around me and leaned a head on my shoulder. “Just let me know whenever you want to bail. I’m about ready to crash.”

  “A couple of these and I’ll be right there with you.” I took another sip of my drink, savored the tang of alcohol mixed with the mild flavor of the tea. “These are wonderful. They don’t serve anything like this at Riley’s, that’s for sure.”

  I could feel Darcy watching us from his vantage point at the other end of the table but I ignored him. The last thing I needed was for him to spoil my mood.

  “So, Darce, now that Ana’s almost done with school, when are you going to leave the boonies and come back to the city with the rest of society?” The question came from a guy who’d been introduced to us as Mike Hurst, a commodities broker who’d attended the same prep school as Ed and Darcy.

  Darcy shifted in his seat as all eyes swung to him. “Ana graduates in the spring but she’ll still need my assistance with the center, especially when she starts her MBA program.”

  Louisa, Mike’s wife, dismissively waved a jeweled and well-manicured hand. “I don’t see why she wants to start her own business so soon. Remember the trip we took to Europe after graduation?” She addressed her female friends, who both schooled their painted lips into sophisticated pouts. “Paris, Rome, Milan. Everyone should have a tour of the continent before starting a career.”

  “Ana was determined to open the center before the end of the year,” was Darcy’s terse reply.

  “Well, now that she’s all grown up, there’s no reason why you need to bother with supervising her anymore,” Louisa concluded. “As far as I can tell, you’re wasting your talents in the wilds of western New Jersey.”

  Ed glanced sideways at Darcy, whose tension everyone else seemed to be oblivious to, and forced a grin. “Come on, guys. Ease up. He’s not even been in Meryton a year and the center’s been open less than six months. Let them get established before you sell off their business and transport him back to the city.”

  Louisa rolled her eyes but decided not to push any further. Luke raised a curious eyebrow at me and I gave a miniscule shrug in reply.

  Luke and I made our apologies about an hour later and called a cab to take us home. Even though I was far from drunk, I suspected my lack of sleep from the night before and the mild alcohol intake helped in my passing out on the air mattress until early the next morning. Early mornings with Chloe and an early start time for work had set my internal clock so that most mornings I was up by six. That morning was no exception and I found myself waking to darkened skies and the lull of a slumberous city.

  Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to sleep any more, I got up and changed into my yoga pants and sweatshirt. I stretched briefly in the living room, drank some water, and then left the apartment to jog the route I’d traced the day before during my walk around Chelsea and the Meatpacking district. The run felt good in the chilly dawn air
and my muscles felt loose and primed for the exercise. By the time I finished, the sun was up and I was feeling energized, though my mind felt thick. I decided to stop at Starbucks before heading back to the apartment and treat myself and Luke to more coffee.

  I was carrying my purchases out of the shop when I saw Darcy striding down the sidewalk in that familiar lope of his. He spotted me before I could even think of escape and flashed an uneasy smile. “Good morning, Lizzy. Up early again, I see.”

  “As are you. I decided to take a run while Luke slept.” My brain couldn’t wrap myself around the idea of running into Darcy again at this hour. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was stalking me.

  “I could accompany you back to the apartment.”

  “Don’t you want to get yourself some coffee?” I gestured to the shop.

  He answered, “I can get it after. I don’t like being cooped up in my hotel room for too long a period of time. You and Luke left early last night from the bar. Were you not enjoying yourselves?”

  “Oh, no, we were having a great time. We were just both tired from sightseeing earlier in the day.”

  He asked me about our afternoon, the places we’d been, the food we’d eaten. He followed me back to the apartment and offered to hold the coffee while I unlocked the doors. Feeling obligated to invite him into the place, I showed him into the living room. Colin was up and he greeted Darcy effusively, offering him green tea and some freshly prepared scrambled egg whites.

  Darcy, appearing uncomfortable at finding Colin preparing breakfast, declined. Instead, he leaned against the counter and inquired about Colin’s appointment the day before. More than happy to oblige, Colin gave us a word-for-word analysis of his encounter with the Atlanta financial administrator for the DeBourgh group. If nothing else, Colin’s monologues helped to fill awkward silences.

  A few minutes after Darcy and I arrived back at the apartment, a bleary-eyed Luke emerged from his room. I handed him the coffee and he gratefully accepted it, announcing after his first sip, “Nectar from the gods. If I weren’t gay, I’d marry you right this second.”

  It took a moment for him to register that Darcy was also in the room. Luke eyed him with some curiosity as I explained hastily, “We ran into each other at Starbucks after I went for a run. He walked back with me.”

  At my explanation, Darcy appeared even more uncomfortable. Colin finished his breakfast and excused himself to shower, and, after a few minutes, Darcy stood and also excused himself, citing brunch plans. After he left, Luke attacked me. “And, what was that all about, Miss Bennett? You’d better spill.”

  “What was what about? We just ran into each other while getting coffee.”

  “You said you ran into him yesterday also. This is New York City, Lizzy, not Meryton. Running into someone once is a coincidence. Running into someone twice in two days, that’s calculation.”

  “You think Darcy was waiting to run into me?” At Luke’s triumphant expression, I announced, “That’s crazy. Why would he want to see me?”

  “I saw how he was watching you last night and the night before at dinner with Dr. DeBourgh. He likes you, Lizzy, and not just a little bit.”

  “You’re insane. He just doesn’t like being cooped up in that hotel room of his. He was probably just walking around when we ran into each other. It’s no big deal.”

  “Right. He happened to be walking around just when you happened to be out and making a coffee run. And he followed you back here.”

  “Luke, you’re seeing a conspiracy when there is none. Besides, I thought you were convinced that Ed was the one who was interested in me.”

  “Well, after last night, I’m not so sure. He seemed preoccupied with those prep school friends he brought with him last night.”

  “Exactly. Look, I’m glad you’re so interested in my dating prospects right now, but I’m not interested, not in Ed and especially not in Darcy.”

  He let the subject drop. After we showered and dressed for the day, Luke and I spent Sunday exploring some of the sights uptown. I’d always wanted to see the dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum, so we spent a half day there, followed by a walk around Central Park. During our turn around the park, we spied a view of the Dakota peeking above the trees. The near disastrous dinner with Dr. DeBourgh seemed so far removed from the pleasant afternoon.

  “I don’t think she’d ever met anyone who challenged her like you did that night,” Luke commented as if reading my thoughts. “I think she’s used to being around people like Colin, fawning and catering to her every thought.”

  “I’m just glad I don’t have to go through that again.” I glanced at Luke. “Please don’t tell me we have another dinner to go to. I’ll kill you if we do.”

  Almost as if on cue, his phone buzzed from his pocket. He took it out and perused his messages until he found the right one. His eyebrows knitted. “Another dinner invitation. To Dr. Catherine’s.”

  My stomach felt as if I’d swallowed a boulder. “Really? But I thought she wouldn’t want me over again given my outspoken demeanor.”

  “I guess we were wrong.” At seeing my face, he said, “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

  Despite my earlier comment, I hesitated before relenting. “She’s your boss. Like you said, she’s not exactly someone you say no to. I don’t want to screw up the good thing you have going here.” I sighed. “Why don’t you just go without me? I’ll grab a slice of pizza and stay in.”

  “Lizzy, she’s asking specifically for you.”

  “Really?” After the initial surprise I waved it off. “She probably wants to torture me some more for my behavior the other night. Okay, fine. I’ll be on my best behavior. I’ll leave my lips zipped.” I hesitated again. “Does this mean I have to buy another dress?”

  Luke shook his head. “That skirt and satin top you bought yesterday should be fine. Just make sure you wear your heels.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Against My Own Better Judgment

  Once it was determined that we would be going to dinner at the Dakota, Colin contacted Luke and arranged for us to meet with Darcy and Ed outside Darcy’s hotel so we could all carpool for the drive uptown.

  I was once again stuck in the front seat next to Darcy who was as taciturn as ever. I could hear Colin chatting away at Luke and Ed behind us and wished more than anything to be back at the apartment, snuggled into my pajamas and nursing a glass of red wine in front of the TV. I spoke to Darcy just to fill the void between us.

  “I must have made quite an impression on your aunt if she wants to have me to dinner again.” He didn’t reply, although I did notice his fingers tense slightly on the steering wheel. I pursued the topic. “I would have thought my verbal diarrhea and poor piano playing skills were enough entertainment for the week.”

  “I hope my aunt didn’t make you too uncomfortable the other night.”

  “No, but I honestly didn’t think I’d garner another dinner invitation after that night. I was sort of rude and out of line.”

  “You were honest in your opinion. I do admit my aunt does not always have an appreciation for candor, but all you did was speak the actual truth, even though it was somewhat out of line.”

  I was having a hard time reading his impassive expression and the passing city lights in the darkness of the car did nothing to illuminate his face or his thoughts. Was he chastising me for sticking my nose in their family business or was he congratulating me for actually having the gumption to do so? In any case, I was not looking forward to a repeat of the dinner party two nights ago.

  Darcy did not encourage any further conversation, nor did I pursue it. When we arrived at the Dakota and were granted entrance through the gate, he parked and led us to the designated elevators for his aunt’s wing. While I did not possess the curious anxiety of meeting Catherine DeBourgh as I had the other night, I was nervous about our coming encounter. Why exactly did she want to see me a
gain specifically? As we rode the elevator up to her apartment, I convinced myself that she was definitely looking to punish me for my impertinence.

  When we were led into the sitting room, Dr. Catherine was already waiting for us. Ed greeted her with a kiss on the cheek; I hadn’t seen in the darkness of the truck that he was again dressed in his formal dress blues and I now wondered how many uniforms he must have. If Dr. Catherine required formal dress at every dinner, he must go through a lot of dry cleaning during his visits. At his first opportunity, Ed pulled me aside to apologize. “Hey, I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk very much last night. Dr. Catherine had insisted that Darcy meet with everyone else for drinks last night, to uphold his social standing and whatnot.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Ed seemed a bit perplexed at my question and explained as if I should’ve known, “The Darcy family is the equivalent to New York royalty. Even though Will has set up his practice in Jersey, he still has social obligations to fulfill.”

  “Royalty?” I repeated incredulously.

  “It may not mean anything to someone who doesn’t live in the city, but the family’s reputation is very important to Dr. Catherine. She abides very closely to the expectations of society, so if that means Will has to make appearances to certain people, he does, and so do I, by association.”

  “So all those people last night, you’re not friends with them?”

  “I’m friendly enough with them, but I would hardly call any of them friends. There are few people I trust well enough to call a true friend.” Ed glanced at Darcy across the room. “I have to admit that Will is one of them.” At my expression, Ed commented, “That surprises you.”

  “It just seems you two are so different.”