Chapter 47
PENN
I was hopingDarcy would answer that question with some sort of indication that she had wanted to talk to me, that she had been thinking of me. I wanted her to admit some sort of feelings stirring within her similar to what I had blowing up within me. Anything that would have made me think she wanted to spend more time getting to know me.
Instead, she said, “Because Peyton is an asshole.”
And rather than question her more, I let it go, letting my silent disappointment fill the air between us.
Darcy stood up and placed her coffee cup on the dresser. “Well, I should probably get going. Thank you again. I really do appreciate your help. I guess you kind of made up for running me over.” She smiled, and there was a sweetness in her face. “And killing my fish.”
I admired her for only a moment, taking in the dark circles under her eyes and her hair that was still wet from the shower. I marveled at her beauty and the way she still looked stunning.
The way she looked like she could completely ruin my life.
Which was exactly why I needed to let her go. I needed to chalk this up as a win for me. I had done something nice for her, and maybe that would help my attempt at buying her father’s store for Max. I should let her go and forget about her. I could head over to her father’s store, offer him over the asking price, and go back home before nightfall.
She walked to the door and turned back toward me before leaving. “I’m actually starving, though. You want to get breakfast?”
“Yes.”
Or I could have breakfast with her. In all fairness, a guy’s gotta eat.
We walked over to the Aveline Café and sat in a booth near the window.
“Mornin’, Darce. Penn. What can I get ya started?” The waitress was Jonie again, who I had discovered was also the owner.
“Coffee and water with lemon please,” Darcy said, still looking a little squeamish.
“Same,” I replied.
Jonie nodded and flashed a big bright smile. “You got it. Want a minute to decide what you want to eat?”
“Do you need a minute? Because I know what I want.” Darcy looked at me, and I glanced over the menu.
“Go ahead. I’ll pick fast,” I replied.
“French toast with strawberries, please, and a side of bacon.”
Jonie nodded as she jotted down on her small notepad. “Good choice as always. And for you?”
“Can I get the Farmer’s Market Omelet with hash browns?”
“Absolutely, I’ll get those right out for you.” Jonie started to leave the table and turned back around. “It’s good to see you out with someone, Darcy. It’s been a while. Like a long, looong time.” She emphasized the last long.
I watched as Darcy forced a smile and leaned her face in her hands as soon as Jonie left. “Wow, that was not embarrassing at all. I don’t think it’s been that long. She made it seem like dinosaurs were roaming the earth the last time I had a date.”
I chuckled slightly. “Don’t be embarrassed on my account. It’s been a while for me, too.”
She peered up at me through her eyelashes. “Huh. Really?”
“You’re surprised?” I clasped my hands together in front of me on the table. “And why is that? Is it because I’m such a smooth talker?”
She scoffed. “Oh, yeah. You’re a regular Mr. Darcy.”
I was perplexed. “You mean to tell me, you think you’re more of a smooth talker than I am?”
“What?” She eyed me curiously. “I never said I was anything.”
“Yeah, but you called me Mr. Darcy. Like the male version of you?” I pushed my glasses up slightly and leaned back in my chair.
Darcy halted for a moment before she burst into laughter. “Oh my God.” She was doubled over now. “You dummy!”
My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “Did you not just call me Mr. Darcy?”
She was really getting a kick out of this. Almost the entire café was staring in our direction, and I was beginning to feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“I did,” she said, nodding and wiping her eyes with her napkin. “I did, but not Darcy like me, Darcy. Mr. Darcy. From Pride and Prejudice.”
I stared blankly.
“The book...by Jane Austen. Oh man, we need to get you reading more.”
I tilted my head. “You mean to tell me, all of... that was simply because I didn’t know one of your book characters?”
Darcy shrugged. “I mean, everyone knows Mr. Darcy.”
“Even that guy?” I pointed to an old man sitting at the counter, nursing a cup of coffee.
Darcy nodded. “Hey, Marvin!”
“And of course you’re going to ask him.”
The old man turned his whole body slowly as though he couldn’t just move his neck. “Yeah? What?”
“You know who Mr. Darcy is?”
He made a low grumble and slammed his hand on the counter. “That ole bastard owes me money. You seen him?”
Darcy pulled her lips in and whispered, “Okay, so not everyone knows him. But, no, it has nothing to do with your smooth talking. I just figured you would have been kind of a ladies’ man.”
This revelation piqued my interest. “And why is that?”
Darcy rolled her eyes. “I don’t know . . . you have nice eyes.”
“You like my eyes, huh?” I asked, knowing I was most certainly making her squirm.
“No. I just think some people might.” She smiled and batted her hand at me. “Shut up,” she teased. “So, explain, why no dates?”
“I’ve just never really been one for relationships, I guess.”
Darcy leaned back in the chair. “That checks out. I could totally see that about you.”
“You can tell by my eyes that I don’t do relationships?”
“No, smart ass. I can just tell when someone is a commitment-phobe.” She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Takes one to know one, I guess. According to Lettie, I have broken up with guys for the most insane reasons.”
I squinted my eyes. “Interesting. My brother, Finn, tells me I would break up with a girl for chewing too loudly.”
“Oh my God!” Darcy exclaimed. “I did that once.”
I laughed. “Well, I ended things with a girl because she wanted to always be the big spoon. It was weird and just felt off. I hated it because she would pinch my ass every single time. Hard too. She left bruises.”
Darcy chuckled. “Deal breaker. You have to share the spoonage. But, is that the best you’ve got? Because I have some breakup doozies.”
“Okay.” I leaned over the table, thinking. “How about this...I dumped a girl for texting the word ‘prolly’ instead of ‘probably.’”
Darcy gasped. “Dude, I broke up with a guy for using the word ‘pacific’ instead of ‘specific!’”
We both laughed, and Darcy continued. “But let me just school you on my last three breakups.” She rubbed her hands together. “Okay, the first one I dumped because he used to wiggle his nose all the time for no reason. You know, like a bunny.” She demonstrated. “I couldn’t stand it. Then the second one not only repeated everything I asked him but would sometimes then ask another question.”
I tilted my head. “I don’t follow.”
“Basically, I would ask him a simple question like, ‘Are you hungry?’ And he would reply, ‘Am I hungry? Yes.’So, then I would say, ‘Do you want a burger?’ He would reply,‘Do I want a burger? No.’ It made me want to jump off a cliff.”
“That is annoying. Do you prefer my caveman speech? Me Penn....me want breakfast.” I winked at her.
She giggled. “I actually do.”
I took a sip of coffee. “And what was the last one?” I asked her, remembering she said her last three breakups.
“Oh yeah, the biggest kicker of them all, was the guy who spoiled the ending of Game of Thrones.” She shuddered dramatically.
I admired her, watching the way her eyes lit up with her smile. I tapped both my hands on the table. “Alright, I think you win.”
Darcy beamed. “Two wins in a row. I’m on fire!” She grabbed her mug and blew on the coffee, peering up at me through her beautiful and dark eyelashes. “Off the record, I like being the little spoon better.”