Villa Fortuna - Pride, Prejudice, and a Haircut by Cat Gardiner

Author:Cat Gardiner
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Publisher: Vanity & Pride Press
Published: 2015-11-29T04:00:00+00:00

~Fifteen~

Romantico

(Romantic)

The forecast threatened snow on the night of his next date with Elizabeth, but that wasn’t the reason for Mike’s worry. She had decided to take a taxicab up to the Bronx by herself stating it wasn’t any trouble but it didn’t sit right with him. She had vehemently protested against his offer to pick her up in his Lexus, even refusing his offer to send a towncar or an Uber driver. Now that she was late, he worried. Did she stand him up, or had something happened to her?

He stood outside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory of The New York Botanical Garden; the blue glow of the domed crystal conservatory rendered the black winter sky a magical sight. The garden grounds twinkled with festive lights, and within towering dormant trees, white crystalline snowflakes swayed in the slight breeze. The piney scent of winter, along with the fresh scent of snow in the air, always thrilled him.

No doubt, Elizabeth’s heart-stopping smile would be as resplendent tonight. He hoped to bring that out in her. That beatific expression, her laughter, and her sincerity in all things had bowled him over, and he was awash with anticipation for the night ahead. Over the phone he had heard in her voice that she, too, was excited for their date, but hoped she hadn’t had second thoughts. Maybe inviting her to visit his office was a wrong move; maybe it intimidated her.

Another glance at his watch showed 7:45. She was fifteen minutes late, but he resisted calling or texting her. This dating thing was such a dance—getting it right, not pushing too hard. How should one appear interested without appearing too eager? Although he dealt with women all day long in his clinic, when it came to romance, they remained an absolute mystery to him. Would Elizabeth think him officious or endearing for checking in on her? She didn’t seem to mind his presumption of having the lab coat specially made. That was a good sign, but maybe he had read her wrong.

He gazed out at the sea of adult visitors to the Bar Car Night event that the botanical gardens held every December; its primary attraction drawing thousands to see the Holiday Train Show. A vibrant red hat drew his attention as its wearer ascended the steps, and he sighed with relief at Elizabeth’s safe arrival. She looked adorable with dark locks flowing from the bottom of the knitted hat, a matching scarf knotted at her neck.

She grinned and waved excitedly when she met his gaze. Nearly bouncing up and down, she pointed to the left, calling his attention to the ice-carving demonstration taking place in the garden. Illuminated in the moonlight, a nutcracker stood six-feet-tall as the sculptor chipped away to Ella Fitzgerald’s “Let it Snow.”

Mike chortled, also excited by that electric energy that came during the holidays, eager to experience it with a vivacious woman who had her own magnetism.

Elizabeth’s gleeful laugh tickled his ears. He was sure that he looked like a love-struck fool.

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