Page 56 of Written in the Stars
Elle stiffened, her grip on Darcy’s forearm tightening minutely. She gave an awkward chuckle. “All good things, I hope.”
The corner of Marcus’s mouth lifted in a not-quite smile.
Jane cleared her throat and patted the couch. “Come sit. Tell us how you’ve been.”
Darcy took a seat beside Elle on the one open cushion. Elle tapped her fingers against her thighs, prompting Darcy to grab a hand to keep her from openly fidgeting. The gesture earned her a quick squeeze.
“I’ve been good. Actually, I’ve been—”
“I’ve got your wine, Darcy.” Linda returned to the living room, a glass in each hand.
“What about me?” Elle frowned.
Linda took a sip from her glass and sat in the armchair closest to the fire. “Did you want some? You should’ve asked.”
Elle’s frown deepened, expression clearing when a tall man with gray hair and smile lines stepped into the room. “Dad.”
When she stood, Darcy quickly followed suit.
“Elle-belle.” He leaned over the coffee table, planting a kiss on her forehead. “And this must be Darcy who we’ve all been dying to meet.”
Darcy wasn’t so sure about thedying to meet herbit, but she smiled anyway. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
He batted at the air, chuckling softly. “Sir, bah! Call me Simon.” His hazel eyes darted back to Elle as he held out a bottle of hard cider. “Got you covered, kid.”
Elle smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”
Simon perched on the arm of the chair beside his wife. “So. Darcy. Tell us a little about yourself.”
Inside, Darcy groaned. She loathed the spotlight, but she’d been to enough corporate retreats over the last eight years that she had a neat elevator speech at the ready. “Sure. I recently moved to town from Philadelphia, though I’m originally from San Francisco. And I work at Deveraux and Horton Mutual Life as an associate actuary, although I’m currently preparing for my final exam to become an FSA.”
Simon whistled. “Impressive.”
This wasn’t supposed to be about impressing Elle’s family. Tangentially, perhaps, if it reflected good on Elle. “Not as impressive as Elle’s work.”
Across the room, Linda smiled politely. “How about your family? I believe I met your brother. Any other siblings?”
Elle sank into the couch, fingers sliding against Darcy’s palm as she attempted to withdraw her hand. Darcy squeezed her fingers, holding firm. “Other than my father who lives in Toronto and my mother who still lives in California, it’s just me and Brendon. He’sextremelyexcited to be working with Elle.”
“Right.” Linda’s smile tightened. “Thedating app.”
Darcy bit the side of her tongue to keep from pulling a face at the way Elle’s mother madedating appsound like a dirty word.
“What dating app?” Daniel asked, leaning forward, elbows on his knees.
“One True Pairing,” she said.
His brows rose. “You’re working for OTP?”
Elle cleared her throat, sitting up straight. “With. Um.” She scratched the side of her neck, eyes darting around the room. A soft flush spread up her throat, deepening at her cheeks. “Margot and I, we’re consulting with OTP to add synastry, or astrological compatibility, to the app’s matching algorithm. It’s, um, it’s pretty cool, I guess.”
Pretty cool. I guess.Darcy would have to be oblivious not to notice how Elle shrank in on herself, couching her words and understating her success. She was no expert, but she couldn’t help but wonder if Elle subconsciously downplayed her achievements to soften the blow when her family did the same.
Despite the furrow of his brow, Daniel smiled. “Well, congrats, sis.”
Linda nodded absently. “That sounds like a neat opportunity for you, Elle. I’m sure it’ll be a... fun job. Right up your alley.”
A neat opportunity. Darcy’s jaw ticked, her ability to tolerate bullshit slim, her ability to tolerate condescension worse.
