Page 60 of Third Time is the Charm
Of course, Fitz Corp had a satellite office here.
Beth unlocked the door, letting them both inside. “And what was your result?” Her stomach rumbled again at the mention of Chinese food; she was definitely craving Chinese food… or maybe she was just craving food in general at this point.
“The Q,” was his abrupt answer, setting the bags down on her tiny kitchen counter.
Good choice, Mr. Darcy.
She watched as he took a look around her apartment – small compared to where her and Jane had lived in New York and microscopic compared to his penthouse.
“Not quite like New York, but I don’t need much. It’s just me, so the smaller space is easier to clean,” she murmured, unnerved by his inspection.
“It’s very nice, very homey,” Darcy quickly responded. “I like it.”
Or maybe he just liked the part where she mentioned that it was ‘just her.’
Beth set her stuff down just inside her bedroom, closing the door slightly, embarrassed by the mess she had left last night when she’d come home and crashed.
“Sorry it’s a little messy, I got home late last night after my flight and I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Beth, it’s fine. Let’s eat – I can hear your stomach rumbling from here and I’m afraid if you don’t eat dinner, you might eat me,” he said, giving her a tight smile while he pulled out the take-out containers from the paper bag.
Beth moaned as the smell of hot Chinese food permeated her apartment, opening the containers to find all of her favorites.
“I think I remembered all the ones that you like,” he said, rummaging through the kitchen drawers for her corkscrew.
Beth blushed.Of course, this Mr. Thoughtful-Darcy had ordered her favorites.
“Behind you,” she mumbled, putting the first forkful of lo mein into her mouth. She continued to eat to appease her stomach, but her eyes remained on him as she opened the bottle of wine. He easily found the wine glasses since she only had two cupboards in her kitchen and poured them both a generous glass of whatever red he had picked.
As good as it looked, she instead reached for the carton of sesame chicken wanting to make sure her stomach was moderately full before she started putting alcohol into her system.
“Why are you here?” she asked bluntly. “Actually, how did you know where I live? And get my number?”
Dumb questions really. The man had the money to find anyone and it wasn’t like she’d gone into witness protection.
“I asked Jane on the way to the airport. It’s not her fault; I was a little upset as I’m sure you can imagine...” His eyes flared. “I told you, I’m not letting you go this time.”
Beth sighed,thatwas the Darcy she knew – demanding and determined. “Did you really get a restraining order against Caroline?” She switched gears, hardly able to believe her memory that he’d actually done it.
“Yes, I told you I did.”
“I know, I was just having a hard time believing it. I still picture her… Well, never mind…” she trailed off, taking a bite of the chicken.
“She’s not allowed to come near me,” he reiterated, his jaw tensing as she referred to seeing Caro in his apartment that morning. “And I’d like to take you to get one as soon as possible. I have everything that you need; I don’t want her anywhere near you.” His hard, unyielding tone emphasized just how emphatic he was about having this done.
“I don’t see what the point is now; it’s not like I’m going to have to see her again,” Beth replied.
“I don’t fucking care,” he said a little too harshly, judging by her surprised face. He toned his voice down before continuing, “I don’t want to take any chances. Maybe you’ve put it behind you, but I still remember everything that she did to you. And to think that that morning you were there with her, alone…Fuck…” he cursed, taking a sip of the wine he’d poured. “She’s not right and I want you to have every protection from her.”
Beth picked up her glass, letting the sweet burn fill her mouth and rush down her throat. “I’ll think about it,” she murmured. If she ever went back to New York, she would do it, remembering how paranoid and afraid Caroline’s games had made her.
She watched Darcy’s jaw flex at her middle-ground answer, but he, surprisingly, didn’t push any farther, instead changing the subject to something more mundane.
“How was work today?”
“Good.” She took another quick sip of her wine before picking up the carton of noodles again. “The Contest is next weekend so there is a lot to do, a lot to keep myself and my mind busy.”
“Do you like your new job?” He picked up another container of spicy chicken but made no move to eat any, instead just watching her intently. It was as though he was trying to take her all in, unsure of why she was still letting him stay in her presence, let alone continue a relatively normal conversation with.
