Pride and Papercuts (The Austens #5) - Staci Hart Page 0,41
fine.”
“No, not about that.”
I didn’t look at him—he’d know too much if I did. “I’m just thinking about what it’d be like if we did hang back and commit to the Longbourne life.”
“Loud.”
“And meddlesome.”
“Definitely that. It wouldn’t be so bad, though. I like being here.”
“I’d like it more without the nagging.”
“If you came back, she wouldn’t nag you.”
I gave him a look.
“Fine, but she wouldn’t nag you about that.”
I was quiet for a second, stacking the bowl and taking the next. “Do you think they really are okay? Do you think they need my help?”
“I don’t know. Maisie would, though.” He scrubbed at a spot in the bottom of a bowl. “Think you’d come back if they needed you?”
“I came back to New York, didn’t I?” I teased. “It’s not even a question. I’ll always help out, you know that.”
“I do.”
I changed the subject, eager to put that away. “How’s it going with Georgie?”
He let out a sigh and handed me a bowl. “Same as ever. We’re friends.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s the worst. Are you sure the whole work thing is real and not just something her brother made up to stop her from seeing you?”
“You’re giving him an awful lot of credit.”
“Well, he did break up her wedding. Have you talked to her about it?”
“A little, but she didn’t say much, just that that she realized he wasn’t the man she was supposed to marry. They were too different, had different goals. It was pretty clear she didn’t want to talk about it in detail, and I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to unpack all my baggage either. Plus, she knows you guys are talking and I don’t think she wants to interfere.”
I made a noncommittal sound.
“Anyway, I’m sure the company policy is a real thing. And Catherine de Bourgh doesn’t let anything slide,” he said in a snooty, overdone British accent.
“I guess that’s where Darcy gets it.”
Another sigh. “Honestly, Lane? I don’t know why I’m torturing myself. I keep telling myself it’s enough that we text and talk and she comes to the shop when she doesn’t have to—I think just to see me. We dance at parties and … God, do you know how many times I’ve almost kissed her? But that’s not what she wants.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I can just tell.”
“But you don’t know. Why not make a move and see what happens?”
“Because I won’t put her job in jeopardy just because I want her for myself. But I’m … I don’t know what I’d call it. Lovesick, I guess. I think about her all the time, watch the door through my shift hoping she’ll walk through it. My best days are the days I see her, but they’re my most miserable too. Because I can’t have her.”
“Listen—I get it. It’s forbidden. But it’s not like she’s a nun. Or your high school teacher. Or your stepmom.”
“Gross.”
“What I mean is, it’s not like you’re breaking some vow or law or social rule. You’re not exactly the client, are you? So I really don’t get what the big deal is. If grumpy old Cathy wouldn’t approve, don’t tell her.”
“And what about her brother?”
“Well, extra fuck that guy.”
He snorted a laugh.
“She’s a grown woman—surely, Darcy will back off. Probably after a full background check, but you’ll pass that, and then he won’t have anything to complain about.”
One of his brows jacked up as he handed me a bundle of spoons.
“Fine, he’ll always complain, but hopefully not about you. Much.”
“I don’t know, Laney. She told me from the jump, without directly saying that we couldn’t be anything more than friends. Isn’t it kinda shitty to just come out and tell her what I want when it betrays what she said in the first place?”
“I don’t know how anyone walks around without saying how they feel, so I’m probably the wrong person to ask.”
“So you’re saying I should go for it?”
I shifted to face him, resting my hip on the counter. “When it comes to what you want and what makes you happy, I’m always going to tell you to go for it. Don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way, not even your fear of what might happen to her. That’s for her to decide, not you. What’s the worst that could happen? She says no? You can handle that. But I’m pretty sure she won’t say no.”
“Let’s hope,” he said with the smallest of smiles.
“And if Darcy gets in your way, he’ll rue the day.”