of course his wallet would be stuck in the couch.
“One thousand dollars?” I offered, still eyelash-batting like a fool.
“No way!” He half-ran across the room, back toward the hall bath.
I trailed him, right on his heels. “Two thousand?” What the hell was savings for? I’d been practically a miser for the last seven years, paying back my student loans and pinching every penny. I’d pay twice that to beat Harrison’s ass.
Luke hesitated. “That’s more like it, but—”
“Five thousand,” I shouted. “And all travel fees and expenses.”
“Whoa? Five thousand? That’s serious. Are you sure you want to beat the good doctor that badly?”
“Of course! It’s worth it. Plus, I’ll pay for your costumes. But we have to get started on them right away.”
He groaned again. “Costumes?”
“Come on. We can do it. I know we can. Where’s that Knightley spirit?”
“I’m a singer, not an actor, Meg. Wait.” He flipped through his phone. “Is it the week of the fifteenth?”
“Yes.”
“Crap. That’s when I’ll be in Nashville.”
My heart plummeted into my slippers. I’d completely forgotten about his audition. It was a big deal for Luke. A very big deal. There was no way I could ask him to skip it for my revenge fantasy in England. I rubbed the back of my hand across my forehead and slumped against the wall. “Oh, right. Yeah. I forgot.”
“I’m sorry, Meggie. Really, I am.” Luke looked truly disappointed. And a little guilty.
“No, you were right. Two weeks isn’t enough time to teach you anyway. It was a ludicrous idea.” I didn’t mention that it would also be far too pathetic of me to show up with my brother to a competition that my boyfriend would be at with my super-hot replacement. Not only would we probably lose to two people who knew exactly what they were doing, but it would be a pathetic, take-your-brother-to-the-prom type of loss. At least if I didn’t even go, I wouldn’t be humiliated. Still. I hated to think of Harrison winning the competition I’d worked so hard on. Without me.
Luke wrapped the towel around his neck and tugged on both ends. “Do you want me to blow off the guys tonight? Stay home and hang out with you?”
“No,” I said firmly. “Go.” As much as I’d love to keep Luke from gambling for once, I wasn’t about to ruin my brother’s plans because of my ridiculous work problems.
“Are you sure? I usually win. They’d probably be glad to see me bow out.”
I had to smile at that. “Yes. I’m sure. Go. Win.”
“I could head over to Harrison’s place and punch him for you instead. Just say the word.”
“Tempting, but no thank you.”
Luke put a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll figure something out, Meggie. Don’t worry.”
“Me? Worry? Pssshshaw.”
Luke snorted at that, then pointed a finger at me. “Do not spend the night writing down goals in a day planner.”
“It’s Friday night. That would just be pathetic,” I said, knowing full well I’d spend at least a good hour with my day planner later. And enjoy it.
Luke tossed the towel on the back of the couch. I quickly retrieved it. Then he headed for the door. I turned back to continue cleaning the living room.
“By the way, Meggie,” he said from the front door. “Your underwear—or something—is sticking out of the back of your skirt.”
The door slammed and he was gone.
After Luke left, I spent the next four hours unpacking, doing laundry, and obsessively cleaning. Anything to keep my mind off Harrison and Lacey and the bloody Jane Austen Festival and Games. Then I spent some quality time with my journal and day planner. And yes, I did enjoy it. Finally, I snuggled up in bed with my fluffy lavender duvet and a pint of Häagan Daz.
I decided to watch the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice because it closely follows the book and when it doesn’t, Colin Firth is all wet. A heavy sigh shuddered through me when Mr. Darcy said, “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
I sat up and pressed pause on the TV remote, then pushed the duvet to the side and slid out of bed. I padded over to the closet and pulled opened a drawer in my fancy closet system. An organized closet is one of life’s greatest joys. Along with my journals, the drawer contained my day planners from years past. I flipped the first two forward until I came to the planner from three years ago. The year