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Max answers on the second ring. “Henry, how’d the dinner go?”
“That’s why I’m calling. I need you to go over the sauce once more.” Desperation fills my voice. “Quickly.”
“Are you in the middle of cooking? Is she watching you call me? This defeats the purpose of impressing her, you know.” As much as I denied it to Max when I asked for this recipe, he saw right through me.“I know you, Henry. You don’t go to these lengths for women. There’s something more to it.”
“No, she’s in the shower. I’m trying to have it started at the very least by the time she’s done.”
There’s silence from Max’s end, then he says, “You’re going to have to give more details before I continue.”
“Enough, you perverted old man. She just wanted to shower after a day of traveling.” Frustration grows inside me. “Rest assured, nothing untoward is taking place in this apartment. I’m just trying to be a good friend and make her dinner. Now, can you be a good friend and help me.”
“I have no desire to be that type ofgood friendto you, Henry.” He laughs to himself but then continues with the recipe for the sauce. “I’ll text it to you now too, just in case you forget again. Enjoy your romantic evening!” And then he hangs up before I can deny it.
Twenty-Two
HENRY
I hearthe door click open and without thinking, I turn to steal a quick glance at Lucy. She’s wearing black jeans and a beige jumper that is a few sizes too big. She looks comfortable, which makes her all the more appealing.
Fixing my face, I let her know, “It’s almost ready.” She certainly saw me checking her out. “Just adding the finishing touches.” I need to stop acting like such a teenager around her.
She steps up beside me and her perfume overwhelms my senses. In truth, this entire apartment smells like her. “How can I help?” she asks.
Struggling to remember how to speak, my response comes out a little gruff. “I’ve got it.”
“Well, then I can set the table.” She moves to reach up into the cupboard and begins to pull out plates. “Sorry, I don’t have any champagne for our celebration,” she says with a frown.
“I brought wine.”
“Not champagne?” she asks.
“No, I know you don’t care for it.” She smiles at my remark and I return it before turning to the sauce preparation.
I need to control myself—this is not a date, it is not a romantic evening. This is simply a thank-you dinner to celebrate the success of her grand scheme. I plate the pasta and carry it over to the small table Lucy has set for us.
I raise my glass to her. “To you and your success.”
She replies, “To us, andPride and Prejudice.”
“To Jane Austen,” I add.
We both smile and sip our wine. Cautiously taking my first bite of the pasta, I’m relieved to find it is delicious, if I do say so myself. I believe I actually did a fine job.
Lucy confirms, “This is fantastic, is it your recipe?”
If this were a date, I would have lied and taken the credit, but it’s not, so I proceed with honesty, “No, my mate, Max, shared it with me. Or, as you may know him, Mr. Tilney from myNorthanger Abbeymovie adaptation. And, in fact, you will now know him as Mr. Bennett. After I signed on to the movie, he agreed to the part.”
“How exciting!” She beams with a huge smile. “Well, I look forward to meeting him. His portrayal of Mr. Tilney was perfectly done.” The way she lights up at the mention of Max inNorthanger Abbeymakes my stomach turn, I don’t like the idea of her swooning over my closest friend.
“Yes, I’ll be sure to introduce you. Perhaps when we visit the set locations.” Max can be captivating, on or off set, but hopefully, she will be too distracted with everything else going on during shooting, she won’t have a chance to fall for him.
“Oh, that’s right! I would be so grateful to visit the sets. Having spent months in the UK, I had expected to visit more of the English countryside I’ve spent so much time reading about, but I haven’t left the city yet.”
“Well, you are planning to stay with me at the end of the month. I don’t live in the country, but it’s close enough to visit. I’d love to take you sightseeing,” I offer while mentally accumulating a list of places to take her.
“Henry…” She puts her fork down and sits back in her chair, then brings her hands to her lap and looks down at them. “What does this mean going forward?”
I pause, thinking of what I should say. Should I tell her that in the last two hours, I’ve realized I have feelings for her? But what do I want from that? I haven’t given myself a moment to think what I would want that to look like. Do I want to jump into another relationship? Does she? She’s been open about her disinterest in a relationship since we met. Is she asking because things went better than I realized with her ex, and she is looking to get back with him?
