Chapter 11

Eleven

HENRY

It’s been two weeks since joining the innovative world of social media, and I’m already experiencing the impact. Lucy was a genius to suggest this and her photo ideas are incredibly simple and yet getting tons of attention. The account shows I have over a million followers, but that can’t be correct. Aren’t there more interesting things to do on the Internet than watch for a random photo I post each day?

Mark and I have been in contact, but there has been no movement in either direction from Viewmont Productions yet. I can handle no news—as long as they haven’t signed someone else, I still have a chance in this race. Although I am no less angry, they are making me put on such a show, simply for a chance at the movie that I have earned the right to be their first choice after working for them most of my career.

In addition to virtual popularity, Lucy and I have been in daily contact, even though I suppose she has already sent enough photo ideas for weeks’ worth of content. I like to get her approval on them before I post. Sometimes, she comes up with catchy captions, others she insists need no caption. “It’s better to leave it a mystery,” she says.

We are getting closer. Aside from the social media posts, we have started sharing the events of our days with each other, and joking has increased as well. I look forward to seeing her name on my phone.

GROUP CHAT

Henry

10 reasons why Captain Wentworth is the worst Jane Austen leading man. Click Here to Read.

Before anyone else can reply, Lucy does.

Lucy

10 ways to protect yourself and your health during a ONS. Click Here to Read the Article.

Hannah

Sorry, Henry. Nice try, but Lucy just taught us all not to mess with her! *laughing crying emoji*

Oliver

*laughing emoji*

Mia

*face with tears emoji*

Henry

What is an “ONS”?

Finn

*rolling on the floor emoji*

One Night Stand, Pop.

Henry

Shots fired, Lucy.

Lucy

You came after my personal life, so I came for yours!

Henry

Reading alone isn’t a relationship

Lucy

Neither is what you’re doing.

Lucy messages me individually after our “battle in the group chat,” but surprisingly, it’s not to further antagonize me.

Lucy

Hi! I had an idea for new content on your accounts. Do you have any set photos from movies you previously directed? Reminding people of your passion and the amazing work you’ve done in the past might get them wanting more.

Henry

Yes, of course. I believe there are a few here in London. I’ll look for them. Great idea!

Lucy

Thanks

Henry

Will you be joining us Saturday night? For dinner and drinks?

Lucy

Yes, I’ll be there. Hannah and Mia are taking me shopping on Friday to get more “dinner clothes,” as Mia says. See you then!

Henry

Enjoy the shopping.

Saturday night arrives, and our limo pulls to a stop outside of Lucy’s apartment. Now I know which one is hers. Hannah offers to run up and grab her, but I ask her to text Lucy and let her know I’ll be coming up to get her. “She’s in apartment number two,” Mia yells with her head out the window.

At the top of the outer stairs, there is a buzzer with a button next to the number two. I press it, wait, and then her sweet voice comes through the little speaker. “Hi! I just need a minute, and I’ll be right down.” Her voice wavers as it comes through the speaker. She sounds almost nervous.

“It’s Henry, I can come up and get you.”

Lucy’s voice returns, “Oh, sure. I’m up the stairs to the right.”

The door clicks as it unlocks, and suddenly, I feel a tightening in my stomach as I ascend the short staircase. Once at her door, I give a quick knock and she opens almost immediately. I’m struck motionless. Again, she selected an item that bares her shoulder. This time, it’s not a top but a stunning black dress that hugs her curves as it flows down her body. As I regain my composure to face her, I notice she too, is admiring my attire.

“Please come in, I just need to grab my coat and bag.” As she turns to grab the missing items from her outfit, I notice the high slit in the skirt of her dress, revealing mile-long legs, perfect to provide access to her luscious thighs. I catch my breath, trying to regain my composure before she sees me so…distracted. If this dress was something purchased with Mia and Hannah, I may need to encourage them to take more shopping trips together.

As Lucy reenters the room, she moves with little coordination, attempting to hold her purse while pulling her coat on. I jump to her rescue, grabbing the coat and assisting her into it.

She thanks me, but something about her is shy tonight as she continues to fidget with her coat even once it’s in place. Perhaps it’s the formality of the evening. I offer her my arm. Relief and excitement flood through my body as she slips her arm through mine.

She holds onto me tightly as she carefully descends the steps outside her building. That’s when she notices what is waiting for us. “A limo?”

“Well, with everyone dressing so formally, I decided it would be better to have more room to sit without being on top of each other,” I explain.

“How thoughtful,” she responds.

I open the door for her to slide in. “You can go straight in. We have the back seat. ”

I move in next to her and close the door behind me. The overwhelming urge to put my hand around her and pull her close comes over me. No, that is ridiculous. Maybe I could just hold her hand? Would she like that?

Enough. This isn’t a date.

Stealing a glance, I struggle to look away from her. This may turn out to be a very long night. Here’s to hoping I survive it.

At dinner, I can barely focus on my meal while the conversation between Lucy and I flows as if we’ve known each other for years. We speak not only of the success of my social media presence, but she has many new ideas she shares in attempts to win me the director role I so longingly desire.

It’s easy to fool myself into thinking she is doing this for me and my professional pursuits, but I know that she is really doing it for Jane Austen and her characters. Regardless of her motives, I find myself thankful for any reason to have her here speaking with me.

During a pause in conversation, I take my chance to get to know Lucy better. “I don’t think I ever asked, what motivated your international move?”

She smiles at me with flushed cheeks. “It wasn’t one specific thing, and when everything in my life felt like it was pushing me toward change, I figured why not just make the move.” Her face relaxes. “It’s always been a dream of mine to live in the UK.” Given her love of Jane Austen’s work, it’s her obvious destination of choice .

“Do you miss your friends and family? That’s an awfully brave move to be so far away from everyone you care about.” Hopefully, my question isn’t too obvious, but I’m trying to get more information on the relationship she spoke of with Finn and Oliver.

“I call my mom just about every day, and I’ll be visiting her for the holidays. As for my friends, we are still in regular contact, and hopefully, they will be coming in to visit soon.” She turns to look over at the rest of the party. “I’m very fortunate to have made such great friends so soon after moving here.” She beams in their direction.

Lucy answered my questions without any indication that she was in a relationship prior to leaving. Could it be that she is still so broken up over this heartbreak she can’t bear to speak of it? My jaw clenches as my mind fills with fantasies of destroying the man who could hurt her so much. Although, without such heartbreak, I would have never found myself sitting next to her tonight, admiring that beautiful dress and the breathtaking smile on her face when she looks in my direction.

It is a long-standing joke that I do not believe in love, and she claims to only be interested in fictional men. We are the two outcasts in our group with four individuals who have found a true love connection. I stand firm on my take on romance, but a small part of me is relieved that she has not voiced her intention to date since we’ve met.

I daresay I am enjoying our new friendship, but I know better than to want it to be anything more.

Well, after seeing her in this dress, maybe a little more.