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"Olivia?"
"Hello, Will," she returned. "Fancy the two of us showing up here, huh?" Will smiled, but quickly sobered.
"I thought you were in Pennsylvania for the weekend."
"I was, but it was a short trip. I have to do a dinner tonight for a client." Will nodded in understanding.
"So how was your trip home?" Will asked conversationally.
"It was great! I had a chance to see not only my dad but my brother's family as well. I hear you spend your weekends restoring an old house."
"I confess I do. Lizzy suggested that I have you out to see the place; you should come out sometime and see if my new kitchen meets with your approval," he smiled.
"That sounds like fun. I'd like to see it."
"Well, if you're free on any given Saturday--next Saturday for example, you're welcome to come out."
"I think I'm free next Saturday, but I'll have to let you know."
"Good. Meanwhile, can I interest you in a cup of coffee? Whenever I come in here I find it impossible to resist the aroma." Olivia agreed and they went up to the coffee shop and chatted over coffee for the better part of an hour. When they left the bookstore, Will offered to walk Olivia home since it was on his way. Olivia insisted that he stop in, arguing that she could check her book and let him know if she would be free the following weekend. Will followed her into the pre-war building and rode up to the seventh floor, a knot of anticipation churning the coffee in his stomach. The thought of seeing Lizzy again so soon thrilled him, but he couldn't bring himself to ask if she was at home. He followed Olivia into the spacious apartment and took the seat Olivia offered him while she went to fetch her appointment book.
"Oh, too bad Lizzy isn't here," Olivia called out from her room. Will didn't know whether he should feel relief or disappointment. He sat back and sighed deeply, starting when he heard an exaggerated mew from Squeaks, who entered the living room and jumped up onto the couch beside him. Squeaks leaned forward to sniff the scent of the newcomer. Will unhesitatingly reached out to scratch the large cat's throat.
"Well, hello there," Will smiled. Squeaks purred in delight and sat to enjoy the unexpected attention as Olivia returned, flipping through her appointment book.
"That's Squeaks, Lizzy's pet, companion, and personal bodyguard," she said. "He approves of you, and believe me, that's high praise. Hey, it looks like I am free next Saturday. Should I check Lizzy's book to see if she's free as well?" Will nodded enthusiastically, and Olivia disappeared again.
"Hello Squeaks. Is that your full name or just what your close personal friends call you?" Lizzy returned from the laundry and entered the apartment with a large basket in her arms. She froze in her tracks when she heard a man's voice coming from down the hall. Its owner was unmistakable, but what was Will Darcy doing in her apartment? Moreover, was he actually speaking to her cat? She set the basket down and silently made her way toward the living room. She peered in and saw the pair happily chatting away. "Are you from Brooklyn as well or are you a Manhattan native? I'm from across the pond myself, a small town named Kympton in central Derbyshire."
Lizzy gasped and covered her mouth to suppress her laughter. Olivia emerged from Lizzy's bedroom and began to say something, but Lizzy clamped her hand over Olivia's mouth and pointed. The two women stood there listening to the exchange. Whenever Will spoke, the cat replied in kind. The pair seemed quite comfortable together.
"I take it you've never been to England?" Olivia's muffled laugh caused Will to look up, but all he saw when the roommates entered the room was Lizzy. He rose to his feet to greet her, his eyes drawn to her attire. She was wearing a pair of running shorts and a tee shirt that read "I Look Better Naked." Lizzy's face turned beet red when she realized what he was staring at.
"I never wear this...I mean, it was a gift from my sister, Lydia and I...I was just downstairs doing laundry. I don't wear this in public, usually," Lizzy managed. Olivia, oblivious to Lizzy's distress, offered Will a glass of wine and went off to fetch the bottle and glasses.
"Is it true?" Will asked cheekily. That comment seemed to break the tension, and Lizzy collapsed into a chair.
"Only Squeaks knows for certain," she smiled.
"Well, Squeaks?" The cat looked back at him silently. "Very loyal cat," Will observed as the cat calmly rose to his feet, stepped onto Will's lap and settled himself. Lizzy's mouth fell open. Olivia returned with a tray bearing the bottle of wine and three glasses.
"Watch out, Will. If he gets too comfortable, he may never let you leave."
"He never does that!" Lizzy finally managed after a sip of wine. "Squeaks doesn't usually like strangers."
"Will's no ordinary man, Lizzy," Olivia quipped, "I should have thought you'd already noticed that." Will smiled back at the compliment. Lizzy took in the exchange and quickly rose to her feet.
"Oh...I must be interrupting something. I'll leave you two to your visit," she said, preparing to make her escape.
"You're not interrupting anything," Will said quickly. "Olivia and I just ran into each other at the bookstore and she invited me up just to see if she was available to come out to my house next Saturday." Lizzy looked at Olivia and then looked back to Will.
"Oh."
"And Lizzy's free on Saturday as well," Olivia volunteered. "At least that's what her appointment book says. Lizzy?"
"Oh, I am free next Saturday, but why do you want me there? I've already seen the place."
"Well, Richard gave your skills a high rating and there are a few hundred more feet of trim to stain," Will smiled. "If, you're interested, that is. Otherwise, you're welcome to return simply as a guest." He smiled at Lizzy encouragingly and she felt her resolve weaken just a bit.
"Yes, Lizzy, why don't you come? Lizzy loves working on do-it-yourself projects and so do I. It should be a lot of fun," Olivia chimed in. It was apparent to her that Will wanted Lizzy to come. What's wrong with you, Lizzy? Can't you see the man wants you to say yes!
"I don't know," Lizzy hesitated. "I may be needed at home, if my mother--."
"Your sisters can handle things for a while. She'll be there, Will," Olivia declared confidently. "I'll see to it." Lizzy glared at her roommate, but she was too busy smiling at Will. Lizzy sighed. Why was Olivia asking her to play chaperone? Lizzy sipped her wine and tried to figure out what was wrong with the woman.
"Will," Lizzy spoke up. "Did Livy tell you her good news?" Will looked at Olivia and shook his head.
"What's your news, Olivia?"
"It's nothing you'll find too exciting, probably," she said modestly. "You see, my parents set up bank accounts for my brother Robbie and me when we were very small for our college education. But I went to cooking school instead against my dad's wishes. Consequently, I never got my college money and had to pay my own way through school. But this weekend--after about six months of haggling about it--my dad finally relented and agreed to let me have the money. It's hardly a fortune, but it's enough to let me build a professional kitchen."
"Here?" Will asked with a glance toward the tiny room he had caught a glimpse of earlier.
"No. Our kitchen is way too small, not to mention the fact that this place is not zoned for commercial activity. I've scouted out a place in Chinatown and I want to convert that to a commercial kitchen for catering and baking operations."
"That sounds great," Will smiled.
"Maybe Will's firm can help you with the renovations," Lizzy suggested.
"Well, I'd be happy to look at the space, if you want. But you should probably talk to Richard about converting spaces; that's really his area of expertise."
"Who's Richard?" Olivia asked.
"My business partner," Will explained. "He--."
"You're the one who's the kitchen expert, Will," Lizzy said, not willing to give up her scheme. "Richard may be useful to a certain extent, but he told me that you're the one who does the kitchens." Will smiled modestly.
"Yes, I guess you're right. This is the kind of thing we'd probably work on together. But you shouldn't simply go on Lizzy's advice. You need to think about what you want done in the space and then write up a wish list and talk to several architects before hiring one." Lizzy rolled her eyes.
"Couldn't you just go and take a look at the space as a favor to her? You might see things that she wouldn't...as a professional, I mean."
"That's a good idea, Will. I'd be willing to pay for a consultation," Olivia ventured, but Will shook his head.
"No, I like Lizzy's idea better. In fact, I'm willing to make a deal with you. You consult on my kitchen and I'll consult on yours."
"But yours is already done!" Lizzy interjected, but then she reconsidered. "On the other hand, you said you had some more to do in there," she blushed. Olivia agreed to the scheme and checked her watch.
"Sorry, folks. I have to get ready to leave for my gig," she said. Will rose to his feet, lifting Squeaks into his arms as he went. "Oh, you needn't leave on my account, Will."
"I really should be running along myself. I have some plans I have to go over before my meeting tomorrow morning."
"Why don't you wait for her," Lizzy suggested after Olivia had left the room. "I think she's going to the east side." Will sat down and smiled. Squeaks resettled and began to clean a paw.
"You really have a way with him," Lizzy said in awe.
"He's quite the charmer."
"Oh," Lizzy replied, but Will's explanation did nothing to account for her cat's behavior.
"I meant to tell you how much I like your article so far," he said. "I don't look like a jerk at all."
"I was saving that for the novel, remember?" Lizzy countered as Olivia returned. She had changed out of her jeans into a pair of checked chef's pants and was carrying her big tote bag, which Will recognized from her visit to his place.
"Are you ready?" Olivia nodded. Lizzy pulled the reluctant cat from Will's arms and said good bye. She watched Will and Olivia walk out to the elevators. Someday, you'll both thank me for this, she thought. You'd make a perfect couple if you'd just stop being so blind, Livy!
Richard eagerly made his way into the shop and looked for signs that Olivia had arrived. Two cake stands piled high with cookies betrayed her presence. Olivia came out of the back office and smiled when she saw Richard. He felt his heart leap as he left the counter and met her halfway.
"Hello, Cookie Monster," she breathed.
"Welcome back, Angel," Richard replied as handed her a bunch of brightly colored gerbera daisies. Olivia's smile widened as she accepted the gift.
"Thank you! They're lovely!"
"So how was your weekend?"
"Nice. Yours?"
"Nice," Richard lied. He'd spent most of his Sunday drawing sketches of Olivia from memory and then destroying them as inadequate to capture the essence of the living, breathing vision before him. They strolled over to the coffee station and Richard made coffee, while Olivia fetched him a container of milk. "Thanks." They walked outside together, each unable to think of anything to say. Finally, Richard found his voice as they leaned against Olivia's car and sipped coffee.
"Angel, would you have lunch with me one day?" Olivia was a little surprised by the invitation, but she smiled thoughtfully.
"Well, I'd have to check my schedule...I know this week it would be impossible. But I'd like that."
"Great."
"Just think! Sitting down at real tables, talking for longer than ten minutes at a time," Olivia gasped. "I can hardly imagine such a thing."
"I'm kind of eager to see it myself," Richard smiled. "Let me know what day is good for you and we'll schedule something."
"Will do," Olivia answered before the pair reluctantly parted. Richard practically floated all the way to his office. He was still mildly euphoric when Will appeared, whistling a tune as he entered his office.
"Good morning, Fitz," Will said as Richard rose and went to his partner's door.
"You appear to be in a good mood," Richard smiled.
"I guess I am. I saw Lizzy yesterday."
"Oh? How'd you manage that?" Richard pulled up a chair and sat down to hear the story.
"I ran into Olivia at the bookstore. We talked about my house and I invited her to come out and see it. We walked back to her place so she could find out if she would be available next Saturday. Lizzy was at home."
"Oh," Richard replied, his enthusiasm slightly dampened. "Well, I guess that's better than nothing. So you had a chance to meet on her turf; did you have a pleasant visit?" Will smiled at the memory of his first sight of Lizzy.
"Nice enough, though it was brief. But in all likelihood I'll see her tonight at class." Richard nodded his approval. "By the way, I've volunteered our services for a consultation."
"Volunteered? I'm not sure I like the sound of that."
"It's for Olivia. You see, she's just come into some money and is going to be opening a commercial kitchen. I told her I'd look at the space and give her an initial consultation in return for her doing the same for my kitchen at the house."
"But you've already spec'd out your kitchen!"
"That's what Lizzy said," Will smiled. Richard eyed him suspiciously.
"What's your game?"
"Well, I'm trying not to be so 'pathetic' as you put it," Will said. "Time spent with Olivia can only bring me into closer contact with Lizzy. That's an operationalizable plan."
"I'd be very careful with that plan, if I were you. Lizzy might jump to the conclusion that you're interested in Olivia. In fact, she's already decided that you and Olivia are right for one another."
"What?"
"She said so on Saturday." Will's expression deflated like a balloon.
Will arrived at class that night with Richard's words still resonating in his ears. He managed a weak smile when Olivia greeted him.
"Are you all right, Will?" she asked.
"Long day," Will responded, searching her face for any sign of romantic interest.
"Well, tonight's meal should put a smile on your face. We're doing an old-fashioned meat loaf, just like mama used to make." Will smiled crookedly.
"Your mama, perhaps; mine never heard of it." Olivia laughed and Will took a place at the counter next to John. Caroline bustled in and sat on his other side.
"Jeff called and said he couldn't make to class tonight, so you'll have to be my partner." Will looked at her oddly.
"I have a partner already." Caroline looked past him and considered John for a moment.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you changed."
"But I don't want to," Will said with unaccustomed bluntness.
"Well, excuse me!" Caroline sniffed. "I just thought you'd want to spend at least one evening working with your only friend in the class." As she spoke, Will's eyes turned toward the entrance as Lizzy came in.
"I have made several friends in this class, Caroline," Will replied somewhat distractedly. "You might try and do the same." His eyes never left Lizzy as he spoke. Lizzy was talking to Olivia and a young man he'd never seen before. He was apparently a photographer, judging from the large bag slung over his shoulder. Olivia looked over at Will, and only then did Lizzy acknowledge him with a smile. Will smiled back, insisting to himself that her smile was not that of a matchmaker. But as the evening wore on, it became apparent to Will that Lizzy was very intent on matchmaking.
Olivia suggested that the photographer walk around and take pictures of the class, but Will noticed that, more often than not, when Lizzy asked Alan to take a picture it was to capture Olivia and Will working side by side. When Will asked after Lizzy's mother, Lizzy described how Olivia accompanied her to the hospital to help take Mrs. Bennet home and get her settled in. Lizzy also expressed her eagerness for Will to go and see Olivia's new kitchen project. Will left the class with a headache. But he was also hopeful for as often as Lizzy pushed him toward Olivia, Olivia seemed to push him firmly in the opposite direction. Olivia continued to insist on Lizzy accompanying her to Will's house, and she talked about Lizzy every chance she got.
Will entered his apartment and tossed his bag on a chair. He stretched out on the sofa and covered his eyes with his forearm. He lay still for a few minutes, hoping his head would stop throbbing. But he had to laugh at the irony of the situation; there were two beautiful, honest, intelligent, interesting women fighting over him. Only they were fighting at cross-purposes, on behalf of each other rather than themselves. Will sat up and reached for the phone.
"Well, at least you're attracting a better quality of woman," Richard laughed when Will had apprised him of the situation. "Whoever wins, you should make out well."
"I don't want to leave the results to chance," Will countered.
"It sounds as though Olivia is on your side. Why not simply relax and take advantage of her assistance?" Will was silent for a moment.
"I hadn't thought about that. Perhaps if I speak with her--."
"Why bother? Just let her do her thing. She knows Lizzy a lot better than you do. She probably knows just what buttons to push. Meanwhile, chill out and enjoy the attention. It can't last much longer."
"I don't want all this attention!" Will snapped. Richard laughed apologetically.
"Sorry, Will, but you have to admit, your love life has improved by 200%! Very impressive, I must say."
"And what do I do about Lizzy's delusional behavior?" Richard began to laugh again, the sound prompting Will to get up and find something for his headache.
"Well, remember that she is delusional. She probably wouldn't be throwing you at her best friend unless she thought you were acceptable on some level. All Olivia has to do is build on that attraction. I'd kind of like to be around when the tide turns," Richard laughed. Will rolled his eyes and put a hand to his head.
"Well, I hope it happens soon."
"Have you shown her any interest at all...made any moves to let her know where your feelings lie?"
"I've hardly had an opening."
"Well, Saturday should be a prime opportunity."
"Hey! Maybe you can keep Olivia busy for me on Saturday," Will suggested.
"That might work, although Lizzy might not let that happen."
"Well, we can try. And Olivia is really nice. The two of you might just hit it off."
"Sorry, old man. I think my heart is already spoken for."
"Your fantasy woman," Will said sarcastically.
"Reality is beckoning. We're going to go to lunch next week."
"That's next week. It'd just be for one day, Fitz--."
"All right, all right. I will entertain and bedazzle the lovely Olivia while you woo the delusional Lizzy," Richard laughed. Will sighed and hung up the phone.
Olivia made an appointment to tour the kitchen space for Wednesday afternoon. After a few hours' thought, she decided to call Will and ask him if he would join her. He readily assented and suggested that he meet her in Little Italy for coffee before walking down to Chinatown together. When Olivia arrived, Will was sitting at an outside table at the café sipping espresso. He rose to his feet and smiled.
"Sorry I'm late. I was all the way uptown on 96th Street and couldn't get a cab," she said breathlessly. Will suggested that she sit down and signaled the waiter to bring Olivia a cappuccino.
"How did you know I'd want cappuccino?" Will shrugged.
"Did you?" Olivia nodded. "But it was terribly presumptuous and I'm sorry," he said.
"I forgive you. But the next time you stereotype me I'll be forced to retaliate."
"Really? How?"
"That depends on the transgression," Olivia replied archly. Her coffee arrived and she changed the subject to the new workspace, describing her plans to use it as a bakery and a catering site.
"By the way, I spoke to my business partner about your project before I left the office. He said it sounds as though it's right up my alley but said he'd be happy to assist in any way he could. You'll get to meet Richard on Saturday."
"Cool! Lizzy tells me he's quite a guy," Olivia replied. Will froze momentarily.
"What did she say about him, exactly?"
"Not much, really; mainly that he has a better sense of humor than you do." Will ran a hand through his hair awkwardly. "But I think that she's reacting to the fact that her first meeting with Richard went a lot more smoothly than her first meeting with you."
"Probably," Will said glumly. If Lizzy was developing an interest in Richard, Will decided, he would throw in the towel and give up the whole notion of having a love life.
"She also said he's very cute, but she gave you the definite edge in looks," Olivia added. "Of course, she told me everything except what I needed to know."
"What's that?"
"Your suitability as architects," Olivia said with an impish smile. Will smiled back at her and suggested that they move on to the site. They strolled a few blocks south and found themselves on the vague border between Little Italy and Chinatown. Olivia led Will to an address on Hester Street, where the realtor sat on the stoop waiting. She greeted him and introduced Will. The realtor opened the space and they entered. It was a small space on the ground level of a residential building, approximately twelve feet wide and a bit less than three times as long, plus a small storage room and an even smaller lavatory at the rear.
"I know it doesn't look like much," Olivia began. "But it's meant to be a wholesale space, so it needn't accommodate customers." Will nodded.
"What are your needs for the space?"
"Strictly preparation: baking and staging, mostly. There are some things that are best done on site, but those that can be prepped here should be." Will nodded again and pulled out a pad and pen to take notes.
"Lots of refrigeration?" Olivia nodded.
"And at least two commercial ovens," Olivia added as she dug into her bag. "Here." She handed him her own list. "The space is properly zoned for this type of operation, and it already has an exhaust fan system, one of its bigger selling points." Will went into the back room and looked around. He returned and approached the realtor.
"Will it be delivered as is?" The realtor nodded. "Then there'll be some demolition and clean up to begin with. He walked along the length of the wall and checked the number of outlets and gas lines. "Is the wiring up to code? Never mind, I'll have someone in my office pull the paperwork and get an engineer in here to look around." His casually delivered remark made an impression on the realtor who began to give his assurances that the space was in the condition advertised. Will asked Olivia a few more questions before they left, instinctively heading deeper into Chinatown as they chatted.
"So what do you think?"
"It's not bad for the price, and if it's what the realtor claims it is, it won't take too much work to get it up and running. Are you considering any other space?"
"I found another place on Cleveland Street, but it had a rodent problem. And almost everything else was out of my price range," Olivia said.
"Then I'd take it if I were you." Olivia smiled and the pair waded into the crowded street markets to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and poultry before heading their separate ways. The following morning, Richard received an urgent call from Lizzy.
Richard had surprised Olivia that morning by suggesting that they "dine" in his car. He was on his way to a site visit on Long Island, so he'd driven down to the shop just to see Olivia before he left.
"We should have done this sooner," Olivia teased. "Your car is much prettier than mine," she said as she looked around the luxurious interior of the BMW.
"Mine doesn't smell as good as yours," Richard quipped. "So when are we going to eat in real chairs?"
"How does next Tuesday sound?"
Richard pulled out his appointment book and Olivia noted that the initials RF appeared on the cover. She quickly averted her eyes, but a tiny smile danced about her lips. Richard agreed to Tuesday and they set a time for their "first date." Olivia got out and walked to her car and Richard got out and walked around the corner to his office. When he arrived, he found Lizzy's message: Hello, Richard! This is Lizzy. Would you give me a call as soon as you get in? I need your help with something that should be of mutual interest to us both. Richard recorded the number and dialed her back. Lizzy answered breathlessly just as the answering machine picked up.
"Hello, Lizzy, this is Richard."
"Oh! I hadn't expected you to call back so soon. I had just gotten into the shower." Richard smiled wickedly, but he restrained his curiosity.
"Sorry; but your message did say to call as soon as I got in, and I usually get in a little after seven."
"Oh. I had no idea. Can you hold on a moment? I'm making a puddle on the floor." A minute later, Lizzy was back and explaining her idea to Richard. "I don't know if you've spoken to Will, but he saw Livy last night." Richard sat up in his seat.
"Saw? As in took her out?"
"No, that's the problem. They met for a cup of coffee, went to look at the space Livy wants to buy and convert, and then they went home!"
"So?" Richard asked innocently.
"It was nearly dinner time! They were in Chinatown! And they just parted and went home! If you were in Chinatown with a beautiful woman, what would you have done?"
"That would depend on whether or not I was hungry."
"Richard!"
"All right, all right, Lizzy. It's hardly the end of the world. I haven't seen Will today, but I can try and find out what went down between them last night. Did Olivia say anything?"
"Only what I told you. She didn't think it was at all odd that Will didn't suggest dinner. Get this: they went shopping together and bought stuff they could each cook at home." Richard chuckled softly. The behavior was typical of his friend. "Listen, I have an idea."
"Okay..."
"I know that Will is planning to set up a meeting to introduce you to Olivia and discuss her project. Why don't you invite me along as your date?" Richard suppressed an urge to laugh.
"You may find this hard to believe, but I don't usually bring dates to business meetings, Lizzy," he managed evenly.
"No, no! I meant that we should make it a social event. You know, something laid back, maybe on a Friday night...over dinner? We can all go to dinner somewhere and then you and I could go off to a movie or something--."
"Not a good idea, Liz. Put two foodies in a restaurant and they won't speak to us the entire evening."
"I can live with that!"
"They'd be discussing food, Lizzy, not romance!"
"But if they're alone and talking...I guess I see your point. They were alone and talking yesterday, weren't they?" Lizzy dabbed her neck with the tip of her towel to catch a stray drip. "Well, have you got a better idea?"
"Exactly what are we supposed to be accomplishing here?"
"We're supposed to be getting Will and Olivia together!"
"I thought the main idea of the meeting was to discuss business."
"You're beginning to disappoint me, Richard."
"You never get the best quality troops in a draft, Lizzy," Richard retorted.
"What the heck does that mean?"
"Look, how about if we all meet here to discuss business and then go to dinner afterwards?"
"No, we have to get them to relax and open up to each other." Richard sighed impatiently.
"Well, how do you usually get Olivia to relax?" Lizzy thought for a moment.
"I send her into the kitchen to cook something," Lizzy sighed.
"Well, guess what Will does to relax?" Richard smirked. Lizzy tried not to voice her frustration.
"You know, on second thought, maybe I'd better not come. It might seem less contrived if you went to the meeting but had to leave because you had plans for the evening."
"What's to stop them from going home, then?" Richard challenged. "...And I was kind of looking forward to taking you to the movies," he teasingly added as an afterthought.
"Richard! This is not about you! If you three were to meet at a restaurant and then you left..." Richard looked up and saw Will pass by and enter his office.
"Look, the target of your conspiracy is here. Why don't I see if he's up to a dinner meeting? Oh, and I insist on your coming, or it's no deal." Lizzy reluctantly conceded, and Richard hung up the phone. He strolled over to Will's office.
"How'd you like to have dinner with Lizzy?"
"Look at this picture, Jane," Lizzy insisted. "If this man were interested in you, what would you do?" Jane looked at the photograph of Will and Olivia laughing together as they shaped a meatloaf.
"You need instructions?" Jane asked incredulously. "Just say yes to whatever he asks. It's a no-brainer."
"I think so. The photographer's assistant wanted to take this photo and make a duplicate to hang over her bed. If a bubble-headed teenager can see how hot Will is, why can't Livy see it?"
"You're letting Livy have this man? And you're asking me what's wrong with her?" Lizzy rolled her eyes.
"You're missing my point. He's interested in Livy, Jane! And they're right for each other. Besides, he doesn't like me that way."
"Really? Then why isn't he looking at her in this picture? Who was standing to the photographer's right?" Lizzy grabbed the picture back and peered at it closely.
"Darn! That was me. I must have distracted him just before Alan snapped the picture." Jane crossed her arms and regarded Lizzy with an enigmatic smile.
When Saturday morning came, Lizzy waited anxiously for Will to arrive. Olivia observed Lizzy and suspected that her interest in Will was finally beginning to surface, and so she smiled in satisfaction when Lizzy excitedly came into her room and announced that Will was downstairs. An awkward struggle ensued when they got downstairs when Lizzy and Olivia each suggested that the other sit up front with Will.
"Why don't you both sit up front and I'll sit in the back?" Will teased before Olivia finally gave in and sat in the passenger seat for the trip to Will's house. They were the first to arrive, and Lizzy insisted on staying downstairs while Will took Olivia on a tour. While the pair was gone, Will's cell phone, which he had left on a box, rang. Lizzy called up to Will and he asked her to answer it, since it was likely to be Richard.
"Hello?"
"Lizzy?" Richard responded.
"Where are you? Will thought you would be here when we arrived."
"Well, I would like to have been but I ran into a bit of trouble this morning."
"Nothing serious, I hope?"
"Serious enough to keep me away, I'm afraid. There was some major vandalism at one of my building sites last night and I need to go over there and meet with the contractor and builder. I don't know how long it will take, but it'll probably preclude the possibility of my getting there today."
"I'm very sorry to hear that," Lizzy said as Will and Olivia entered the room. Lizzy handed the phone to Will and gave him Richard's message. Will spoke with him for a few minutes while Olivia wandered around the main floor. Lizzy followed her into kitchen.
"It's a shame you won't get to meet Richard today. He's a major sweetie."
"So you said. Wait a minute," Olivia said. "Do I detect a note of interest here?" Lizzy shrugged, and decided to play her hand.
"Maybe," she smiled. "Hey! Maybe the four of us could double date sometime."
"If Richard asks you out, you mean."
"And if Will asks you out," Lizzy countered. "I'm surprised he hasn't asked you out already."
"Lizzy, we're just friends."
"Yes, but you have to admit there's a lot of potential." Olivia was forced to concede that there was.
"But he could just as easily ask you out," she countered. "He seems to think very highly of you, now that you've learned to behave yourself." Will entered the kitchen, effectively cutting off Lizzy's intended retort.
"I'm afraid it'll just be the four of us."
"Don't you mean three of us?" Olivia replied.
"No, Fitz's grandmother should be here, as usual. She likes to bring lunch and help out for a little while in the afternoon," Will explained.
"Fitz?" Olivia repeated.
"Sorry, his full name is Richard Fitzwilliam. I've been calling him Fitz for as long as I can remember. So what do you think of the kitchen?" Olivia and Will immediately fell into a deep conversation, and Lizzy slipped out of the room virtually unnoticed. She went out to the front porch and sat on the settee. A few minutes later, Bess drove up in her car.
"Thought I'd come over a little early and give you an extra pair of hands," she explained to Lizzy as she pulled the cooler from the backseat. Lizzy went to relieve her of her burden and carry it inside, but Bess sat down on the settee Lizzy had just vacated. "What are you doing out here all alone?"
"Oh, Will is showing my friend Livy the kitchen. They're having some sort of consultation and I didn't want to get in their way." Bess nodded. She was far more knowledgeable about the situation than she let on, but she played the innocent.
"Oh, is this your chef friend? I'd like to meet her. And then we could go out to the garden and take a look at that clematis you liked so much last week." Lizzy had no way of preventing Bess from entering the house, so she hefted the cooler and glumly followed her into the kitchen. Much to her chagrin, Lizzy found that Bess immediately became involved in Will and Olivia's conversation, and after a few minutes of pouting like a five-year-old, Lizzy wandered into the backyard.
"Oh, dear," Bess said as she watched Lizzy fuming as she pulled up a weed in the garden. "I think you're neglecting one of your guests, Will." He turned and looked out the window, and seeing that Lizzy looked slightly peeved, he headed outside. "Would you be a doll and help me put that food into the refrigerator, Olivia? It'll keep much better there," she said innocently. Olivia gladly took on the chore, sneaking a peek out the window at Will and Lizzy who were discussing the state of the garden.
"I'm afraid I'm not much of a gardener, but Bess has promised to help me. She says a lot of this stuff can be salvaged," Will said as he yanked on a dead stalk of waist-high grass.
"It's a pity that something this beautiful was abandoned in the first place. You have lots of wonderful plants here," Lizzy said as she squatted to clear some weeds away from a patch of dianthus. "I bet this place was wonderful in its heyday."
"The previous owner left some pictures of the house and its gardens. I'd eventually like to restore the grounds to their original state. The pictures are up in the attic, if you'd like to see them."
"Perhaps later," Lizzy said as she got to her feet and wiped her hands on the front of her jeans. "We should get to work." She took a step and tripped over a large protruding tree root. Lizzy might have fallen had Will not reached out and grabbed her from behind. Inside the house, two heads turned when they heard Lizzy's cry, and two smiles appeared when they saw Lizzy safely captured in Will's arms.
"You can let go now," Lizzy said tersely. Will abruptly dropped his hands and Lizzy felt a pang of regret. She turned to face him and looked up into his eyes. "Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome," he returned evenly. "Let's get to work." He followed Lizzy inside and the foursome stood around the kitchen island while Will handed out chores for the day. Will suggested that he and Bess paint his bedroom while Lizzy and Olivia stained the newel post and woodwork on the stairs. Will went upstairs to lay drop cloths and prepare the room for painting while Lizzy and Olivia began to assemble their supplies for their assigned task.
"Why don't you go upstairs and paint with Will, Lizzy?" Bess suggested coyly. "Olivia and I will do the stairs and have a good chat. Go on with you!" She shooed Lizzy upstairs and gave Olivia a knowing smile. Olivia smiled back for a moment, and then her mouth fell open as a bell went off in her head. "What is it, child?"
"You look amazingly familiar when you smile like that," she said.
"Really? Who do I look like?" Olivia shook her head and picked up the can of stain and headed for the hall. She paused and turned to look at Bess again.
Richard Fitzwilliam! Olivia turned to her work, a secret smile playing about her lips.
Lizzy entered the bedroom and began to roll up her sleeves. Will had begun speaking as soon as he heard her enter, but Lizzy hadn't heard all that he'd said.
"I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?" Will turned and looked at her in surprise.
"Where's Bess?"
"She decided that she'd rather stain than paint. She sent me as her substitute," Lizzy said. Will smiled at his luck. He repeated his intention of tackling the ceiling first, and suggested that Lizzy do something with her hair. "What's wrong with my hair?" Lizzy said defensively. Will smiled again.
"There's nothing wrong with your hair. It's beautiful and I'd like it to stay that way," he said as he handed her a paint cap and enjoyed the rosy blush that kissed Lizzy's cheeks. She pulled an elastic band from her pocket and pulled her hair into a ponytail and stuffed it into the hat. Will handed her a roller. "I should have thought that Bess would prefer painting to sitting in a narrow staircase all morning," Will said as he began to tape off the base of the molding.
"So would I, but she was fairly insistent. Do you mind? I could get Livy in here, if you prefer."
"Not at all. Stay. And since you're so opinionated about Victorian design, you can give me suggestions about carpets while we work." Lizzy smiled and reached for the roller. She added the extension pole and began to work, determined to switch places with Olivia at her earliest opportunity.
Bess and Olivia made light conversation as they worked, touching on several topics. Olivia knelt on the steps as she worked while Bess sat on a stool on the opposite side. Olivia could not resist a surreptitious glance at her companion every now and again, the smile never leaving her lips. On occasion, the sound of laughter emanated from the room upstairs.
"They seem to be getting along well," Olivia observed.
"So I hear. I understand things didn't go very well when they first met. Richard said that on the day he met Lizzy, it looked as though the two of them were on the verge of coming to blows." Olivia laughed.
"Lizzy has that effect on some men. She has a great knack for arousing a passionate response."
"I'd say the same of Will," Bess said. "When he and Richard were younger, they'd come in from school with a trail of girls in Will's wake. Poor boy practically had to beat them off with a stick. The girls either loved him or hated him, but no one was ever indifferent to him and they all made their feelings toward him very clear. I suspect Lizzy elicits the same reaction." Olivia nodded.
"Tell me about Richard," she said as she rubbed the stain off a banister. "Did girls follow him home, too?"
"No, Richard was the quintessential late bloomer. He's gorgeous now, if I may say so of my own kin, but as a boy he was thin and scraggly, and a bookish recluse."
"I can't imagine Richard like that!" Olivia laughed.
"Oh? Have you met him?"
"Oh, no, not yet. But your depiction of him doesn't match Lizzy's at all!"
"Well, he was always a quiet boy, but he became even more introverted after his parents died in a plane crash. About a year, later, Will came to live in the neighborhood. He had lost his parents, too, so they bonded instantly. I credit Will with bringing Richard out of his shell."
"Now, Will I can see as an introvert." Bess nodded.
"So can I, but he's not, really. I must say, I think he and Lizzy are very good together."
"I do, too," Olivia said conspiratorially.
"I should show you some of my wallpaper samples after lunch so you can see what's going to be on the ceiling," Will said. "It's going to be a fairly elaborate and authentic rendition of a papered ceiling with about three different borders." Lizzy nearly dropped her roller.
"Wait a minute; you're going to paper this ceiling? After we spent all this time painting it?" Lizzy frowned. Will smiled at her. She looked absolutely adorable with a drop of paint on her nose.
"I distinctly recall telling you that this was a primer/sealer we were putting on the ceiling."
"You did not!"
"I did so. In any case, it's a necessary step; otherwise, the wallpaper paste will be soaked up by the plaster."
"Oh."
"We're priming the walls, too," Will added. Lizzy nodded.
"All right," she sighed. They began working on the walls and had covered three of them before Olivia called them downstairs for lunch. Lizzy slipped into the bathroom to wash up. When she stepped into the backyard she glared at Will, who was already snacking on a carrot stick. "You might have told me I had paint on my nose."
"I guess I might have," he replied as he moved down the bench to allow her to sit. Lizzy glanced at the space on the other side of the table and quickly grabbed it as Olivia came out of the house with a tray of drinks. She instantly regretted her action, however, as she found herself sitting opposite Will rather than next to him. It might have been a better seat for Olivia after all, she concluded.
"So how was the painting?" Olivia asked as she helped herself to coleslaw.
"You can find out yourself when you go up and take my place this afternoon!" Lizzy replied. Will looked up in surprise.
"Oh, you're not abandoning me now, Lizzy," he said with an intense gaze. "You're going right back up there after lunch and you're not leaving again until those walls are done." Lizzy's eyebrows rose.
"Or?" she challenged.
"...Or you're not going home," he responded in the same mildly threatening tone. Olivia looked at Will and then at Bess.
"I guess you'd better do as he suggests, Lizzy. You know how cranky Squeaks can get when he misses a meal." Will smiled at Olivia and nodded.
"Yes, Lizzy. It wouldn't do to upset Squeaks."
"Squeaks?" Bess asked.
"Yes," Will replied. "Lovely fellow. Looks a little like your Isis...on steroids." Lizzy tried to look offended for the sake of her cat, but she couldn't meet Will's eyes.
"All right! I'll paint--for Squeaks." Olivia smiled, accurately guessing that Squeaks had nothing to do with Lizzy's capitulation.
By mid-afternoon, Olivia and Bess had reached the upstairs landing, where they could occasionally cast an eye in the direction of the pair that was arguing good-naturedly over who had chosen the color they were applying to the walls. Lizzy was insistent that it was one of the chips she had picked out, rather than Will' choice from a brochure. Olivia and Bess exchanged a smile, just as they had done when Will had invited Lizzy up to see the wallpaper samples and garden photographs. He also invited the others, but it was so clearly an afterthought that both women automatically declined in spite of their curiosity. Will's phone rang and Olivia went down to get it, wondering if it was Richard and if it was, if he would recognize her voice. She gingerly carried the phone upstairs to Will.
"Would you open it for me?" he asked. Olivia opened the phone and held it to his ear. "Hello, Fitz." Olivia leaned in close enough to hear the caller's response. "What'd you find?"
"It's a pretty big mess. Fire has destroyed a good deal of the west wing; Tineke estimates that about a quarter of the steel will have to be replaced, and that's the good news. It's a huge setback. The contractor was on a pace to finish ahead of schedule and earn a nice bonus." Will handed his roller off to Lizzy and wiped down his hands as Richard spoke. He turned to Olivia and smiled his thanks as he took the phone. Olivia walked over to Lizzy, ostensibly to look at the paint color on the wall, but her mind was a million miles away.
"Why didn't you go up and see the pictures?" Lizzy asked as she laid a coat of rich sage green on the walls. "They were lovely."
"I'm sure they were," Olivia said absently.
"And you'd have liked Will's wallpaper choices, too."
"I'm sure. Uh...I guess I'll have a chance to see them once they're installed."
"Yes," Lizzy frowned. "Are you okay, Livy?" Olivia snapped out of her haze and smiled.
"Yes. Yes, but I think I need a drink. Excuse me," she said and slipped downstairs. Olivia was somewhat subdued for the rest of the afternoon, although she was in rather good spirits. When she and Lizzy reached home she let Lizzy shower first and went to lie on the sofa. Squeaks settled on her abdomen and she stroked him absently as she thought.
She had figured out the identity of the Cookie Monster. Not that she'd been trying, really, but since he'd asked her out she'd been thinking about the logical next step. And the logical next step was an exchange of at least some personal information. It was all Olivia could do not to pump Bess for more information. Her head was crammed full of questions, the most prominent of which was: Would Richard be as pleased to meet her as she would be to meet him?
Lizzy emerged from the bathroom and relinquished it to Olivia. She sat on the edge of her bed combing through her hair slightly annoyed with herself that the day hadn't accomplished what she'd planned. Where had everything gone awry? The plan was to simply put Will and Olivia together, and other than the ride to and from the house and the twenty minutes it took to consume lunch it had failed miserably. Olivia didn't make any particular effort to spend any time with Will, and Bess was no help at all! As for Will--. Lizzy reached for a barrette and twisted her hair into a coil and fastened it. Will...
Squeaks hopped up on the bed and spread out beside Lizzy, who rolled onto her side to nuzzle his soft fur. She lay beside the cat and her mind drifted back to Will.
Lizzy had had a great time at Will's house. Her arms and back were still complaining about the amount of work she'd done, but she enjoyed spending the time in Will's company, talking about paint and interior design and comparing American Victorian décor with its British counterpart. She remembered his intense gaze as he pressured her to rejoin him upstairs after lunch.
"Dreamy eyes, Squeaks," Lizzy admitted aloud. The cat audibly affirmed her conclusion and decided it was as good a time as any to go to sleep. His human companion never made much sense when they had conversations about men. "Nice smile, too. Oh! Squeaks, what am I saying?" Squeaks rose to his feet, turned his back on Lizzy and resettled. No way was he going to be drawn into Lizzy's guilt trip.
Olivia approached the shop nervously the following morning. She was still undecided as to how to reveal her knowledge to Richard. She thought that perhaps the best time to tell him was over lunch the next day, but she felt it would be dishonest to withhold the truth from him, not to mention the fact that she wasn't sure she would be able hold her tongue for that long. She made sure to arrive early and then waited for Richard outside the store.
"Good morning, Angel," Richard said, startling her. For some reason she had decided that he would come from one direction, when in fact he approached from another.
"Good morning, Richard," she said as calmly as her fluttering heart allowed. Richard's eyebrows flickered a question, but Olivia continued before he had formed a whole word in his head. "I know you're wondering how I know your name, but it's a long story and I hope you don't mind my knowing. I wasn't prying, honest, it's just that I met a relative of yours this weekend and even if I hadn't suspected, I would have known that she was connected to you, and when she smiled at me I was convinced--." Gentle pressure on her shoulders made her stop speaking and look up into Richard's smiling face.
"Breathe," he suggested. Olivia laughed.
"I'm sorry, but I've been worried about how you'd react to this all weekend. I guess I am a bit wound up," she smiled.
"A bit," Richard echoed, still holding onto her and staring into her green eyes. "So?"
"Oh! So I met your--."
"No, no, not that. You have me at a disadvantage now, and I demand that we continue this conversation on equal terms."
"Olivia. Olivia Crenshaw." Richard's mouth dropped open.
"Will's Olivia Crenshaw?"
"I'd prefer to think of myself as your Olivia Crenshaw, but yes," she said, coloring profusely when she realized what had just come out of her mouth. Richard beamed back at her, but she was too embarrassed to look up.
"Why don't we get our coffee and sit down for a few minutes? We should talk." Olivia nodded and followed Richard into the shop. When they emerged, they leaned against Olivia's car. "I have a thousand questions I want to ask you."
"Me, too. I mean, I--." Olivia quickly sipped her coffee to prevent herself from babbling again.
"I suppose you're busy tonight with your class." Olivia nodded.
"I'm tied up until 9:30 at least."
"And I suppose playing hooky today is out of the question." Olivia braved a glance at Richard and met his smile.
"I'm free between three and seven," she replied.
"Then I'll play hooky. Want to meet here?" Olivia nodded. Richard pushed himself away from the car to face Olivia. "We'll go somewhere and sit, have a drink, maybe."
"A drink sounds very good." Richard felt silly; he couldn't stop smiling. He took hold of Olivia's hands and stared into her eyes for a minute. "Richard..."
"I know. You have to go." Olivia nodded. Richard leaned forward and lightly kissed Olivia's lips before he even realized what he was doing. He colored slightly as he stepped back.
"I'll see you at three," Olivia said before she got into her car. She and Richard shared a lingering look before she finally started the engine. Olivia drove off and Richard stared after her until her car was completely out of sight.
"Olivia." He turned and headed for his office. He couldn't wait to tell Will his news.
Olivia drove to the last shop on her delivery route by rote, certain that she hadn't seen or heard anything for the last half-hour. She could still feel Richard's kiss on her lips. She exited the store still in shock. For a brief instant, she considered calling Lizzy to share her news, but she thought better of it and got into the car. No, it would be far better if Lizzy knew nothing about her and Richard at the moment. She could use her secret to keep Lizzy honest.
Interested in Richard, is she! Lizzy was so smitten with Will she couldn't even see it with her own eyes! And she expects me to believe that Richard might ask her out? Over my dead body! Richard is spoken for, thank you! ...At if least I have anything to say about it.
Richard strolled into the office and could hardly sit still for the excitement that coursed through his veins. Olivia Crenshaw was his Angel! The odds of such a coincidence occurring were too astronomical to calculate. But it all made sense, oddly enough. After all, hadn't Olivia baked Will those phenomenal cookies that day? Obviously, she was the woman behind his daily cookies as well. Richard made a mental note to chide Olivia on her duplicity there. He rose from his desk and went down to the kitchen to make coffee. Amy had taken to making it lately, but this morning Richard found that he was so full of nervous energy that he couldn't concentrate on anything so serious as building codes and he needed occupation. He paced the floor while the coffee brewed, and poured out a cup before the pot was completely done. In the back of his mind, he knew that caffeine was probably the last thing he needed. No, the only thing I need today is to see her again.
After a seemingly interminable wait, Richard heard signs of life from Will's office. He threw down his pen and bolted for the door. Will was listening to messages on his answering machine and Richard fidgeted like a five year old as Will held him at bay with an upraised hand. Finally, Will looked up at him expectantly, but before Richard had sat down, Will launched into an enthusiastic account of his day spent with Lizzy. Richard sat on his hands and listened impatiently as Will meandered on, silently wishing his friend would shut up and let him get a word in edgewise.
"And you're right: Olivia is definitely on my side," he concluded.
"Speaking of Olivia, have I got a story for you!"
"You have a story to tell me about Olivia?" Will frowned. A Cheshire cat grin spread over Richard's face and he visibly relaxed in his chair.
"Remember that I told you I was meeting a woman for breakfast in the mornings?" Will nodded. "Her name is Olivia Crenshaw."
"What?" Will sat up and leaned forward in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I didn't know her name until this morning, and from what I can guess she didn't know my name until Saturday."
"Wait a minute. How is that possible?" Will frowned. Richard averted his eyes, feeling somewhat sheepish about what he was about to reveal.
"It was sort of a game we played. We'd meet every morning, chat for a few minutes before going our separate ways, never exchanging our real names or any other personal information. It wasn't going to last much longer, though. We had planned a lunch date for tomorrow, during which I fully intended to learn more about her. But this morning she walked right up to me and said 'Good morning, Richard.' It seems she figured out my identity on Saturday after meeting Grandma Bess."
"But how?"
"She's a bright girl, Will. She knows I work in this area on the same block as you do; she's been here before, right?" Will nodded. "She knows that I do something in the creative field because she's seen me carrying Artbin tubes, and she must have had other circumstantial evidence, but I think the clincher was meeting my grandmother."
"True," Will smiled. "Seeing Bess is sort of like seeing you in a bun and heels. Oh, and she probably heard your voice on the telephone, too. She held my phone for me while I was cleaning my hands and talking to you Saturday afternoon. Well! Small world!"
"Wonderful world," Richard agreed. "I'm crazy about her."
"I can see that. Is she as crazy about you?"
"I think so," Richard replied, remembering Olivia's slip of the tongue. "By the way, I'm cutting out early this afternoon to meet her before your class." Will nodded.
"I wonder what Lizzy will say when she finds out?" he mused.
"Well, if she has any sense she'll be thrilled to death. But let's not tell her right away."
"Why not? If she knew about you and Olivia she'd stop trying to fix us up!"
"Yes, but we also want her to see what a gem of a guy you are into the bargain, don't we? I have a pretty good hunch that we can use this to our advantage. I'll discuss it with Olivia later and let you know," Richard said, rising to his feet. "Olivia." He repeated the name aloud as if he still couldn't believe it. He smiled broadly at Will before he returned to his office. Will leaned back in his seat and tried to imagine Richard and Olivia together. Why not? They ought to be very good for each other. Now, if I could only guarantee such a happy ending for myself. Will sighed and opened his briefcase. He caught a glimpse of his apron in the inner pocket and chuckled to himself.
Lizzy sat in her mother's kitchen stirring milk into her tea. Try as she might, she had been unable to shake Will's image from her mind all morning. Whenever she looked at her mother, she thought about Will's kindness that day when she needed to get to the hospital. Whenever she looked at the green paint on the walls of the kitchen she recalled her argument with Will over who had chosen the color for his bedroom. When she watched the BBC World News the previous night, a reporter's accent sent her into a reverie that only a nip on the arm from her annoyed cat could rouse her from. And just this morning, her sister's brown eyes smiling at her across the table threw her off completely, causing Mary to question Lizzy's sobriety. No doubt about it, Lizzy had Will on the brain. And she blamed Olivia for it.
Well, she wasn't going to succumb. It was not in her nature to give up so easily. Olivia had seen Will first, and she had expressed a definite interest in the man. So why hadn't she fallen into Will's arms? He seemed awfully fond of Olivia as well...even if he had insisted that Lizzy paint with him Saturday afternoon... Lizzy shook her head and reached for her cell phone.
"Lizzy," Richard winked at Will, who sat across the desk from him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Saturday was a fiasco," she pouted.
"Saturday was a fiasco?" he repeated for Will's benefit as he reached for the speaker button. "What makes you say that?"
"Livy spent the whole day with your grandmother and I was forced to spend the whole day with Will."
"I can think of worse fates," Richard smiled. "When I spoke to Will, he said he had a great time on Saturday. He really seemed to enjoy your company."
"He did? Oh...but that's not the point! He was supposed to be enjoying Livy's company!"
"Doesn't he have any say in whose company he enjoys?" Richard said with a glance at Will, who was frowning at the phone.
"No! I mean...I really think we have to get them together quickly." Richard looked up at Will questioningly.
"Why?"
"Well, I wasn't going to mention this but Livy's been kind of seeing this guy--." Richard felt his heart stop. "Well, not seeing him, really. She doesn't even know his name. It's some guy she runs into in the mornings." Richard exhaled. "I think she's got a thing for him, and she doesn't even know the guy's name! I mean he could be married, or an escaped convict, or...she's taken to putting on makeup in the morning to deliver her cookies, for Pete's sake! I think she's crazy to encourage the guy, and I'm afraid if we don't distract her soon, it may be too late." Richard and Will exchanged a glance and Will mouthed the words "too late" and smiled broadly.
"That, uh, that does sound a bit scary," Richard managed, suppressing a relieved smile.
"I told her the guy's probably an axe murderer or something, but she comes back from her runs in the morning glowing like a beacon. I think she's got it bad." Richard grinned from ear to ear. "Now about Will," Lizzy continued.
"Yes?"
"We need to get him focused on Livy. We have to make them see that they're right for each other," Lizzy insisted. "And we have to do it right away."
"You're convinced that Livy is about to run off with her axe murderer boyfriend?"
"Yes! Well, no! She's not that stupid! But she has to--we have to get her and Will together now...before she gets any bright ideas." Richard scribbled something on his notepad and pushed it across the desk to Will.
The lady doth protest too much! Methinks I smell a rat. Will's eyes lit up.
"Well, I think we're supposed to have that meeting sometime this week. Maybe then I can get a sense of how she and Will relate to one another."
"That's the whole problem! She's not relating to Will, and he's not relating to her." Richard looked at Will with mock reproach. "I still think my idea of a social function is a good one. We can fix them up on a blind date," Lizzy suggested.
"But they already know each other!"
"It doesn't matter. The idea is to get the two of them on a date, Richard! Please say you'll help me out on this!" Richard grinned at Will.
"I'll do my best. Let me take a peek at Will's calendar and see what I can come up with. I'll talk to you later." Richard hung up the phone and burst into laughter. Will was confused as to what he found so funny. "This is going to be sweet!"
Olivia had changed out of her usual cooking garb and put on a sundress for her date with Richard, although it meant that she'd have to rush over to The New School and change again before class. Whatever sacrifice she made, it was going to be worth it. She reached the shop, but her usual parking space was occupied by a large delivery truck. She decided to live dangerously and double park, trusting that Richard wouldn't keep her waiting long.
Olivia had played hooky, ultimately, postponing a 1:30 meeting with a prospective client who had been late to their previous meeting. She was afraid that if she kept the appointment the client would have made her late and she did not want anything to interfere with her date. Richard did not disappoint. At precisely 3:00 he came around the corner and Olivia honked to attract his attention.
"May I drive?" he asked as he bent to smile into her window. Olivia got out and went around to the passenger side as Richard got in. They headed for a tiny restaurant on Greenwich Avenue. "You look very nice," Richard smiled. "I've never seen you in a dress before."
"I thought I'd clean up for the occasion. Usually by this hour, I look like a deflated soufflé." Richard smiled at the food reference and looked for a parking space on the block near the restaurant. After lucking into one, he led her into the tiny bistro.
"Hungry?" Olivia shook her head. "Me, either. We can share a little something and a glass of wine, perhaps?" Olivia nodded and Richard placed an order. They sat and stared at each other for several minutes, their fingers gently intertwined, until the carafe of wine and an antipasto platter were placed between them.
"So," they said in unison. They both laughed and Richard insisted that Olivia begin.
"I have a wee confession to make. When you pulled out your appointment book on Friday, I got a peek at your initials."
"And then you heard Will talk about Richard Fitzwilliam," Richard concluded.
"Yes, and once I met your delightful grandmother there wasn't a doubt in my mind that Will's partner and my Cookie Monster were one and the same. It almost amazes me that I didn't think of it before!"
"Well, I should have guessed, certainly, after hearing both Will and Lizzy talking about you. And after tasting those cookies you gave Will...why aren't you selling those chocolate chip cookies?"
"I will, once I open my bakery." Richard nodded his understanding. "Richard...it feels so strange to call you that!" Olivia smiled behind her wine glass. "You are aware that Lizzy has been trying to fix me up with Will for the past month now?"
"And that Will, in turn, is crazy about Lizzy?" Richard added. Olivia sat back, her smile triumphant.
"Is he? That's very interesting. I have reason to believe that the feeling is mutual, although Lizzy would probably die before admitting it!"
"Why?"
"Lizzy is extremely stubborn, not to mention proud. When she sets her mind to something she clings to it tenaciously, even in the face of reason." Richard sighed.
"And she's decided that you and Will are destined for one another, in spite of your dangerous fascination with an axe murderer." Olivia gasped.
"How did you--she told you about that?"
"She called me this morning to ask for my help in setting you up on a blind date with Will." Olivia shook her head.
"She doesn't know when to quit, does she?"
"The question is what do we do about this? She's very determined and she'll set things up with or without my help."
"Does Will know the situation?"
"He knows everything." Olivia smiled.
"Good, then I think I have an idea. Let Lizzy set up a blind date. We'll set up our own counter offensive. I know just how to beat Lizzy at her own game. And if we do it right, not only will she get off my back, she'll stop being her own worst enemy and admit to herself that she has it bad for Will." They spent the next several minutes conspiring.
"Great! But enough about Lizzy and Will. We have more pressing matters to discuss," Richard said after several minutes. For the remainder of their time together that afternoon, neither Will's nor Lizzy's name was spoken and by the time Olivia dropped Richard off at his office and headed for her class, the problem of how to deal with Lizzy was completely forgotten.
When Olivia arrived at class, she found Will waiting for her at the door. She smiled warmly.
"Hello, Will."
"Hello, Angel," he said. Olivia laughed.
"Richard told me he'd spoken to you."
"I can't remember the last time I saw him so happy," Will replied. "I wish I'd known about it sooner. I might have--." Olivia put a hand on his arm.
"I don't think either of us would change a thing. We would have found out the truth tomorrow, anyway. As it was, it made for a very interesting meeting this morning." Will looked down the hall from which Olivia had come.
"Will Lizzy be here tonight?"
"No, she felt she had enough information to finish her story. She said something about trying to complete a draft tonight."
"Oh," Will said somewhat dejectedly.
"May I ask a favor of you?" Will nodded. "Would you be willing to set me up on a blind date for Friday night?"
"A blind date?"
"Yes...with Richard. I'll explain later," Olivia said as she steered Will into the classroom. She let him speculate for an anxious half-hour while she lectured the class on how to prepare a fish filet for cooking and demonstrated three different ways to bone a fish. When the class broke up to work in teams, Will found that he had been paired with Caroline. John shrugged apologetically from across the room. Will had been so absorbed in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed her manipulations. Gritting his teeth, Will set to work. Caroline stood at his side, hands on hips, and watched him deftly skin his slab of salmon.
"Aren't you going to do anything?" Will asked in mild exasperation. Caroline shook her head emphatically.
"I don't want any part of that thing!"
"Well, you can't stand there all night doing nothing. Why don't you remove the pin bones and I'll do the rest." Caroline made a face. Will rolled his eyes and handed Caroline a pair of pliers. "Give me strength," he muttered as he purposefully walked away.
"Will? Will, are you coming right back? Will, I don't know how--." She fell silent as Olivia appeared at her elbow with a patient smile. Will smiled and went off to the rest room. It wasn't that he needed to use it; he just wanted a respite from Caroline's shrill whining. He washed his hands and went to sit on a bench in the hall for a few minutes. Olivia came out and sat beside him.
"That was harsh," she said. "Well done!" They shared a laugh.
"Would you mind telling me why you want me to set you up on a blind date with Richard?" Will asked. "The suspense is killing me."
"Simple. We want to get you and Lizzy together, and she has been plotting to set you up on a blind date with me," Olivia said as she rose and Will followed her back into the room, where he watched Caroline pick bones from the piece of salmon as though they were poison. "I say, 'Do unto Lizzy as she would do unto us'," Olivia smiled.
"I don't get it," Will frowned.
"We'll just turn Lizzy's plot on its ear and use it to your benefit. Trust me; she'll be shocked and probably furious, but completely vulnerable. She ought to be putty in your hands--once she stops screaming." Will winced. "Just kidding!"
"You sound as though you've given this a lot of thought."
"I have. I've known Lizzy for a very long time and I know how to deal with her. Will, I know that Lizzy cares about you. She's just unwilling to admit that you're right for her. She's rather prejudiced, you know. You got off on the wrong foot and she's convinced herself that the two of you could never make it as a couple. It all has something to do with a Jane Austen quote she discovered in high school and made her personal motto: 'My good opinion once lost is lost forever.' But I happen to have caught her doodling your name all over a pad last night, so I know you've gotten under her skin. All we have to do is open her eyes to what she's been steadfastly ignoring and you'll have it made. Trust me." Will took a long thoughtful breath.
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Speak with me after class."
"I don't want to deprive Paul of his income, but I brought you these since you asked about them," Olivia said as she handed Richard a container brimful of bite-sized chocolate chip cookies. "I had to make some for a client this morning." Richard wasted no time in trying a sample.
"What time do you get up in the morning?"
"Around five, usually, on weekdays. I usually make up the cookie dough in advance, though so the mornings are reserved for baking."
"Your neighbors must love you." Olivia smiled.
"One of my best customers lives in the building across the air shaft," Olivia replied as she and Richard strolled to the coffee station. "I spoke to Will last night. He'll call the apartment today while I'm out and get the ball rolling."
"Excellent. I guess I should expect a call from Lizzy later today, then."
"I think that's a safe bet." Richard made his purchases and the pair walked out to the car. "So where are we having lunch?"
"Well, I was originally considering the brewery around the corner, but now that I know that I'm dating a chef--."
"...Who happens to be a personal friend of the brewery's chef?"
"Is that a good thing?" Richard asked.
"He makes a great blue cheese burger," Olivia suggested. Richard smiled and prepared to leave. "Don't forget to share your cookies with Will," Olivia admonished when Richard closed the container and prepared to head off to his office. Richard crossed his heart and bent to kiss Olivia.
"See you later."
Lizzy accused Squeaks of reminding her of Will Darcy, and after a brief argument, the cat retreated to a quiet corner of the room, where sanity prevailed.
"Argh!" Lizzy screamed. "Why can't I get this man out of my head? He's like...like a toothache! Maybe it would be better if he didn't see Livy. That way I'd never have to look at him again!" Lizzy paced the living room holding her head. The telephone rang and Squeaks lifted his head to see if that would occupy Lizzy long enough to allow him a decent nap. Lizzy ignored the phone, however, until she heard Will's voice on the answering machine. Then she screamed, causing Squeaks to give up all hope of enjoying the morning in the sunniest room in the apartment. He huffed at Lizzy and trotted off to Olivia's room, pausing to rise up on his hind legs to push the door open. Lizzy remained fixed where she stood, staring at the phone. "And now the man himself calls to plague me," she grumbled, determined not to call back. She returned to the table and pretended to edit her story, but it was only a ruse, because the story was about Will and she couldn't bear to look at it. Lizzy finally gave up and went into her bedroom, where she collapsed face down on the bed.
Olivia returned home an hour later and saw the flashing light on the answering machine. When she heard Will's message, she was surprised. She went to the door of Lizzy's room and found her reorganizing her lingerie drawer.
"You know the trouble with bras? They're impossible to fold neatly," Lizzy griped. Olivia took a cautious step into the room.
"Will called. He left a message on the machine."
"Argh! Don't mention that man's name to me!" Olivia took a step back.
"Okay..." She went into her own room where she found Squeaks sprawled on her bed. He greeted her with a litany of complaints. "So I saw," Olivia said as she sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off her shoes. She turned to peer out her door as she heard Lizzy march into the living room. Then she heard Lizzy replaying Will's message. Olivia smiled as she stepped out of her jeans and pulled on a skirt. She heard Lizzy ask for Will Darcy. "Things are looking up, Squeaks." He seemed to agree with her. "Good. Now get off my bed. Go on, beat it! You know you're not supposed to be in here when I'm not home... Oh, all right, but only for today while she's like this...okay, maybe a few days."
Will drummed his fingers on his desk and considered calling Lizzy again. Olivia had assured him that Lizzy would be home at this hour, but Lizzy hadn't answered. He sighed and went down the hall for a cup of coffee. When he returned, his phone was ringing, but as he eagerly made a run for it, Amy picked up the call from her desk.
"I'll see if he's available," she said, and pushed the button to put the call on hold. She turned away from the phone and turned her attention back to a scheduling task the office manager had assigned her.
"Amy!" She turned, and smiled sheepishly.
"You have a call, Will. Lizzy something or other."
"Bennet."
"Whatever." Will shot her a look and closed the door to his office behind him. Amy briefly considered disconnecting the call before Will reached his phone, but decided against testing his temper.
"Hello, Lizzy. Did you get my message?"
Of course I got your message! Why did you think I was calling, because I desperately wanted to hear the sound of your voice? "Yes...sorry, I was tied up with something very important when the call came in and couldn't get away. Bet you'd be impressed to know that I am the proud owner of 19 bras, Will Darcy! You'll never see me in seven of them, either...well, three of them probably don't fit anymore, but the other four are far too good for you! ...Not that they're too good for you, it's just that you won't be seeing me in them because I save those for...huh?
"...Friday night." Lizzy swore under her breath.
"I'm sorry, Will. Could you repeat that?"
"I said I was thinking about having a little dinner party on Friday night. I know it's short notice, but are you free?"
"Let me check my book," Lizzy said as she picked up and noisily flipped through the pages of a magazine. "Who else is invited?" she asked conversationally as she stalled.
"I thought a foursome might be nice," Will said right on cue, "You, me, Richard and Olivia."
"That sounds perfect!" Lizzy said, dropping the magazine and all pretense of searching her book. "What time?" Will gave her the details and said goodbye as Richard poked his head into his office.
"Any joy?" Will smiled.
"She'd be delighted to come and is looking forward to a good dinner in good company," Will repeated. Richard nodded.
"I'll let Olivia know. I'm off to lunch."
But Lizzy had already made a mad dash to the bathroom, where Olivia was fixing her makeup.
"Where are you going?" she asked accusingly.
"I'm having lunch with my axe murderer friend. But don't worry; we're going to a burger joint so he probably won't even be given a knife," Olivia quipped.
"Well, Will just called to invite us to dinner Friday night."
"I know. He called me on my cell this morning," Olivia said innocently.
"I hope you didn't blow him off for your axe murderer," Lizzy replied sarcastically. Olivia shot her a look.
"No, actually, Will said he especially wanted me to come so I could meet Richard."
"Oh, that's right, you two haven't met yet."
"To hear Will talk about him, Richard sounds much dreamier than you've made him out to be," Olivia said as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. "Of course, if this lunch goes well you may never see me again and Friday night will be a moot issue!" She slipped out of the door leaving a speechless Lizzy in her wake and laughed all the way to the elevator.
A few days later, Amy knocked on Will's door. He looked up and beckoned her in. She peeked at the blueprint on his desk as he waited expectantly.
"Amy?" She sighed deeply and handed him a sheaf of papers.
"You've got a fax," Amy explained. She turned and left the room, Will staring after her with a bemused expression. He looked down at the papers she'd given him. It was a draft of Lizzy's article. Will smiled and sat back to read the story.
He was quite impressed. He had read Lizzy's earlier story notes, but this was a fully developed piece and it was as engaging, entertaining, and witty as the woman who had written it. It hardly registered that he was reading about himself. With each word he read, all Will could think about was Lizzy. He reached for his phone and dialed Lizzy's number from memory.
Lizzy was in her closet looking for something to wear Friday night. She had already considered and discarded three outfits and was having a fit of frustration. Squeaks was at the bottom of her closet watching the whole scene dispassionately.
"I don't know why I'm bothering to worry about what I look like. I should be in Livy's closet finding something for her to wear." Lizzy threw down the blouse in her hand and went into Olivia's room. The phone rang and she turned and went back into her room to answer it.
"Hello, Lizzy. This is Will." Lizzy smiled dreamily. There probably wasn't a man on the planet with less need to identify himself to her.
"Hello, Will."
"I just read the copy of the story you sent over. I like it very much. I had no idea you were so talented a writer." A scowl formed on Lizzy's face.
"Thanks," she said sarcastically.
"I knew you'd take that the wrong way," Will smirked.
"Then perhaps you shouldn't have said it."
"It was meant as a compliment," Will tried to explain, but Lizzy's dander was already flying.
"And I should take it as a compliment that you're surprised that I have talent?"
"No, I..."
"I have a Master's degree in journalism and a good five years' experience under my belt as a freelance writer, you know."
"I'm glad you chose journalism over a career in the diplomatic service," Will teased.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lizzy's voice rose half an octave.
"You probably won't believe this but I actually did call to tell you how much I liked your story and to thank you for your flattering depiction of me," Will said sincerely.
"You're welcome," Lizzy said begrudgingly, after a moment.
"And thank you for violating your personal rule twice to share it with me." He could almost hear Lizzy bristling. "I look forward to seeing you Friday night, Lizzy. Good bye."
"Bye." Lizzy stared at the phone for a moment, then put it down, frowning. She went back into her room and resumed her frantic search for an outfit to wear Friday night.
Will, meanwhile, smiled and sat back. Lizzy had overreacted to every word he said, a sure sign, according to both Olivia and Richard, that she was falling hard. Her hostility was merely a defense mechanism to try to keep her emotions at bay.
"I think she loves me."