Page 86 of Desperately Seeking Mr. Darcy

“But you’ve got lots to do, Mr. Future Business Owner,” I say.

“And so do you, Miss Program Manager,” he says.

“That’s future program manager to you. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

He smiles. “I like seeing you this way,” he says.

I shake my head. “What way?”

“Happy.”

“So do I,” I tell him.

Amelia makes a frustrated-sounding noise. “You two are just going to stand here while I lug all of Macey’s stuff up the stairs?”

“Yes, that is the plan,” Zane says.

“Get to work,” she tells him.

We finish bringing everything up, and then Amelia hugs me goodbye like I’m moving across the country, and Zane gives me a hug before they leave me to get things organized.

Just as he’s walking out the door, he gives me a bow of his head. “Miss Bennet,” he says.

“Mr. Darcy,” I say, giving him a little curtsy.

“That’s getting old, you guys,” Amelia says, flatly. It’s still hard to believe she has no idea what transpired between us in England. I’ve wanted to tell her, but I guess there’s no reason to horrify her now.

I can see why our little carryovers from Pride and Prejudice Park annoy her, but that won’t make me stop. It’s one of my favorite things. I hope it doesn’t end now that I won’t be seeing them every day.

I spend the next couple of hours unpacking and hanging things up and trying to make this new space of mine feel like home, but I’m guessing it’s going to take a while to adjust.

When I unfold my bedding to make my bed—the final thing I plan to do today—something slips out and lands softly on the floor. I glance down and see an envelope, its edges slightly crinkled from being tucked between the layers.

“What’s this?” I say to no one, because I’m all alone right now.

When I see my name written on the front, I recognize the writing immediately. Curious, I open it up and pull out the folded paper.

Miss Bennet,

I don’t know if there’s ever going to be a “right” time to give you this letter, so if you’re reading it now, know that either I found the perfect moment or I just couldn’t wait any longer.

You were right about me—I am impulsive. I do things without thinking, and I’m working on that. It’s part of who I am, and I don’t want to lose that completely, but I also don’t want it to hurt the people I care about.

Where you were wrong, though, is thinking my feelings for you were impulsive. Yes, they came on fast, but I didn’t act on them right away. I waited, because I wanted to be sure. And that night, when we kissed? That wasn’t me being impulsive. That was me knowing exactly what I wanted.

My feelings for you have only grown since we left the park. It’s been hard—sitting next to you, pretending nothing’s changed, trying to keep my hands to myself when all I want to do is hold you.

Macey, you amaze me. You’re strong and determined, even when things feel impossible. You have this way of making people feel seen, cared for—even when you don’t realize you’re doing it. And every time I look at you, I notice something new, something that makes me want to know you better, to be better—for you.

If your feelings haven’t changed since we left Pride and Prejudice Park, tell me, and I’ll let it go. I’ll stop bringing it up, and we can go back to being friends, because having you in my life is what matters most.

But if there’s even the smallest part of you that feels the same way—that wants to give this a shot—then meet me tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the place where we first met. (That’s my parents’ backyard, in case you’ve forgotten.)

Your Mr. Darcy,

Zane

I HOLD THE LETTER TO my chest; I’m crying and laughing at the same time.

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