treated the old man like he was a fool. And nothing happened except
talking and talking and more talking.”
“You don’t like movies
that are mostly dialogue?”
“Actually, my favorite movies
are mostly dialogue, but they’re about smart and interesting people talking to
each other instead of pompous people just wanting to hear themselves speak.”
“Give me some examples.”
“I love classics like old
Audrey Hepburn movies and I like period pieces like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice .”
“Ah, romances.” Did he
have to sound so patronizing?
“There’s nothing wrong
with romances.”
Matt held up his hands in
surrender. “I didn’t say there was,” he said, but his mouth was pulling into that
little smirk I was starting to recognize as condescending.
“But you think there is,
don’t you?”
“I just think there are
more important things to think about than whether a man and woman are going to
end up together.”
“I happen to think it’s
one of the most important questions in the world.”
“Do you mean that?” Matt
asked.
“If men and women don’t
end up together, it will mean the end of civilization.”
“Whoa, you really take
your romance seriously.”
I laughed. “I just prefer
a good story about people and relationships. I go to a movie to be entertained,
not lectured.”
“Well, I liked it, but I
can see it might not be for everyone.” Matt took a drink of his hot cocoa.
“This is really good. I’m glad I let you talk me into it.”
“Maybe I need to start
twisting your arm more often.”
“You’re pretty spirited, aren’t
you Elizabeth.”
“You think so?” No one had
ever called me spirited before.
“I’ve never met anyone
quite like you. You’re sweet and cute but if anyone crosses you, they’d better
run for their lives.” Sweet and cute. Not exactly the words I’d have liked him
to say, but sweet and cute was better than sour and ugly.
“I guess you’d better not
cross me,” I said.
“Oh, Elizabeth. I have no
desire to cross you.” Matt took a bite of my sticky bun and smiled. I felt like
I was at Pemberley, watching Mr. Darcy smile for the first time.
It was almost midnight and
my car looked lonely and forgotten when we reached the bank parking lot. Matt walked
me to my car.
“What are you doing tomorrow
night?” He took my hand and moved his thumb back and forth across my knuckles. I
turned my hand in his and linked our fingers. I was holding hands with the
closest thing to Mr. Darcy I’d ever met. That realization made it difficult to
remember what I was doing tomorrow night. I looked at my hand and tried to concentrate.
When I finally remembered, my heart sank.
“I’m going to a high
school swim meet,” I said, wondering why he’d asked.
“I see. Sounds dreary.”
Matt leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “I guess I’ll see you Monday.”
He got back in his car and
was gone before I’d even unlocked my door.
I DROVE STRAIGHT from work
to Mt. Hood High School. Mt. Hood was one of the few schools with an on-campus
swimming pool. The bleachers were small—only three rows high. I was glad I was
early so I could choose a seat at the end. The air was heavy and wet and
smelled of chlorine.
“Hi Lizzie. Did you pay? I
was going to get you in for free.”
“Don’t worry about it. It
was only three dollars.”
“I’m glad you could come.”
Chad sat down on the bench beside me and handed me a sheet of paper printed
with the team roster. “Just in case you want to know who’s swimming,” he said.
“Watch this kid.” He pointed at the name Carter Stevens. “He came in second at
state last year. He’s probably going to swim for the Oregon Ducks next year.
And this boy here, Taylor Kennedy, he’s never been on a competitive team
before. I came in during my free class one day and his PE class was swimming.
He’s only a sophomore but I was impressed with how strong and fast he was. I
talked him into joining