Chapter 20 #2
“Ha. I thought we had an understanding,” he challenged with a furrowed brow before sardonically laughing. “You do understand that ... I’m the prize, here. You get me, and I get half of La Tempera. That’s what we agreed on.”
Indignant, she laughed, reaching deep down into her reserve.
“You have that wrong. I didn’t agree on anything other than marrying you, which I’m changing my mind on.
Frankly ... you’re wrong.” She pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin.
“I’m the prize, not my art gallery. And based on how you treat me like a doormat and look at other women, coupled with your disgusting behavior, I don’t know how I didn’t see this before .
.. but, you’re a friggin’ booby prize.” She stood, staring down at his dumbfounded expression.
“I did more than look at other chicks,” he said smugly.
The contempt in his eyes took her aback. Staring at him, she searched her mind for a smart-ass reply but came up short. “I always knew your so-called work wasn’t AI-generated―all the more reason for me to break it off. Guy is right. You are a shifty pervert and sure as hell don’t deserve me.”
“And Darcy does?”
“I don’t deserve him, but he’s found his prize in Caroline. Besides, William Darcy has nothing to do with my breaking it off with you. You did that all on your own.”
He snorted. “Caroline! I know Caroline intimately, but you don’t know anything about the true Darcy,” he scoffed.
“Oh, you’re so wrong, George. I know that William is everything you are not and will never be, no matter how hard you try to emerge from his shadow. He’ll always be a better man than you.”
She slid off the engagement ring and placed it on the table.
George laughed. “Keep it. It’s a fake anyway.”
That hurt, but she laughed it off. “Like I said, nothing like William. Goodbye.”
Turning on her heel, she stuck her ex-fiancé with the check for the first time in their entire relationship and didn’t feel a modicum of regret for her decision to break up.
The sun beat down upon her retreating body, and it felt soooo good. Her light and confidence were returning.
“Well?” Guy said, storming into the gallery on a mission.
Pencil in hand, she looked up from the design sketch on her desk. “Good morning!”
Crossing his arms, he tapped his foot. “Yes, yes! What is going on, chica?”
“Nothing. I’m working on a design plan for the Gleason exhibit setup.”
“Stop it now, Lizzy. What happened this morning with el hijo del diablo?” He made devil horns with his fingers, raising and rocking them side to side.
Removing her fashionable eyeglasses, she settled back into the chair, tossing them onto the schematic. “It’s done, and I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders.”
“I am so proud of you, my little dove. What did he say?”
“Exactly what I expected along with a couple of nasty bombs I didn’t.”
“About your ring?”
“How did you know?”
“Dear girl, the fool couldn’t even afford a cup of coffee, let alone a three-carat engagement ring. It shimmered like a plastic Cracker Jack prize.”
She shrugged, having not noticed the lack of bling to her bling. “He’s a cheater, too.”
“Well, knock my argyle socks off—the girl finally woke up!”
“Ha ha. It’s over now, and I’m resigned to my fate of singlehood. There. I said it.”
The front doorbell rang, and their eyes locked because the gallery hadn’t opened yet. “Are you expecting a client or art delivery?” he asked.
“No,” she said, rising.
As she approached the buzzer, she noticed Carrie Bingley on the other side of the door, and her heart plummeted to her stomach. Ugh. This wasn’t good. She sensed a smackdown on the horizon, but maybe that was just her guilt talking.
“It’s the acquisition client,” she moaned.
Lowering his eyeglasses to the tip of his nose, he gazed across the studio. “Ooooh, the ex’s Barbie doll fiancée with the double D’s. This day is off to a fantástico start!”
That stung a little. Of course, Guy didn’t know William was a breast man.
Carrie looked beautiful, wearing an expensive light blue boucle suit and a beaming smile. Cheerfully waving to her, she appeared unfazed that she was William’s ex-girlfriend.
“Hi Carrie,” she tried to greet cheerfully, visions of William’s naked body flashing before her eyes.
“Good morning, Elizabeth! It’s such a beautiful day today.”
“It sure is.” Walking to her, she held out a trembling hand for a shake. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
“I was in the neighborhood picking out some artwork for a client in a Park Slope classic seven, and I thought I’d give you the good news in person.”
“I sure could use good news today.”
“Good! I will be joining you in Paris for the auction.”
“That is wonderful. The auction experience is something you definitely don’t want to miss. I think you’ll really enjoy the thrill of the hunt.”
“I’m sure I will. I’ve yet to travel to Paris, and you’re making it possible.” She beamed again. “Oh! And I’ve taken care of all the travel arrangements—you’ll be staying at the Ritz Paris.”
“That’s not necessary. The Holiday Inn near Sotherby’s is fine.”
“Nonsense. You should expect nothing less than five-star, first-class when traveling with a Darcy.”
“Right ... a Darcy.” She swallowed hard, but Carrie continued to smile.
“It’s all good, Elizabeth. It just proves what a small world it is, that’s all.”
“True. I’m very sorry if my presence at the wedding caught you unawares and made you uncomfortable.”
“It’s not anything to be sorry about. Really, it’s all good,” Carrie reassured.
“Thank you. So, are you excited about the Seurat?”
“Absolutely! It’s an investment bound to pay off and will look fabulous no matter where I hang it!
” She glanced at her watch, then said. “I have to go, but I’ll email you the deets.
Unfortunately, I can’t fly with you because I’ll be arriving a few days ahead of you for a little Parisian bachelorette fun, but let’s plan on meeting for dinner the night before the auction. ”
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to acquiring the Seurat ... together.”
“Yes. Together, darling.” Carrie slid her oversized sunglasses on and then waved with a “Ta-ta!”
Releasing her breath and plastered smile, she turned to face the office, spying half of Guy’s face peeking out.
“I see you, you know.”
“Whatever are you going to do?”
“Make the best of it. Look, Guy, he’s happy—so I’m happy—and that’s all there is to it.”
“That’s caca. How do you know he’s happy?”
“Because I saw the two of them together.”
He sighed and shook his head. “You only saw what he wanted you to see. He wouldn’t have engaged in coitus with you if he were so in love with her.”
“He only had sex with me because he was drunk.”
“Drunk on you.”
“No, because of me, and he probably doesn’t even remember it!”
Darling girl, I see I need to put my biology teacher hat on now.
A straight man has sex with a beautiful woman to emotionally bond, procreate, and sentirti desiderata.
Mix in physical attraction, and love—as you state he claimed—and there is your answer.
Let me ask you this—did either of you use protection? ”
“Are you feeling better, Sis?” Elizabeth asked bracing herself for the answer on the other end of the phone twenty-five miles away and thankful for it.
“I suppose.”
“Did you and Charlie make amends?”
“Of course. He realized that such a high-value, ethical woman as I would never interfere with another’s romantic relationship. He apologized profusely for maligning my integrity.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t insert yourself where you don’t belong.” She rolled her eyes. “So, you’re back together then?”
“Not officially.”
“What’s not officially?” she dared to ask.
“Apparently, he’s taking a step back from us because he feels overwhelmed.
Whatever that means!” She huffed, then snorted.
“He thinks I’m rushing our relationship and is undecided if I’m a suitable partner for him.
I don’t see what the problem is. Oh, could life be any crueler to me?
What a jerk. Who needs him and his crazy family anyway?
Perhaps you can talk to him through one of your clients, his sisters. ”
“No. I don’t think so.”
An awkward silence settled between them, and she waited for the expected rage to follow but finally said, “By the way, I’m leaving for Paris on Monday for a last-minute acquisition trip.”
“That must be nice. Is George going with you?”
“No. George and I ... um ... he has something to do.”
“Oh. When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure. I may take a few days off to visit my old haunt, maybe take a class or two and get inspired to paint again.”
“But George.”
“He doesn’t mind.”
“If you’re not careful, Lizzy, someone might steal him before your wedding. He’s under a lot of pressure, and the last thing he needs is your floundering. You did that once before and look where it got you.”
No thanks to you. “Exactly my thought.”
“But you’ve never been one to hold onto your man,” Jane cut.
Talk about projection! “That’s your opinion.”
“Will you at least call me?” Jane asked.
“I don’t see how I’ll have the time. It’s bound to be very stressful.”
“Yet, you’ll find the time to take a silly class? It’s not like you still have a painting career, so why bother? And what am I going to do about the broken lamp? You were supposed to take it to the fix-it guy for me,” Jane bemoaned.
“Buy a new one online. Okay, I gotta go!” She hung up, exhausted from the four-minute telephone conversation—and she counted!
This one-sided relationship must come to an end, too.
When she returned, she’d finally take steps to extricate herself from Jane’s orbit or Jane from hers.
The mental gymnastics were now at gold medal Olympic level.