Read Online Waiting for Mr. Darcy by Chamein Canton - Free Book Online

inappropriate for me to ask you to dinner?”
    â€œNo. Why?”
    â€œI am showing at your gallery. Some people might think it’s a conflict of interest.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be. I added you to the exhibit based on your artwork before we had this pleasant little afternoon.”
    â€œGood. Then would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow evening?”
    â€œI’d love to.”
    â€œGreat. Shall we meet, or would it be okay to pick you up?”
    Gabby was tickled. “You can pick me up.” She rifled through her bag to get her notebook to write down her address. “Here you go.” She handed him the paper.
    â€œThanks.” He studied it for a moment. “If you could write down your telephone number, too, that would be great. In case I run late with traffic or something.”
    â€œOh, sure, how silly of me.” She took the paper and jotted down both her numbers.
    She handed him the paper again. “Thanks.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    He turned and flagged a cab down, then opened the door. “Here you go, Gabby.”
    â€œThank you. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    â€œYes. I’ll be there around six if that’s okay with you.”
    â€œYes, that’s fine.” She got into the cab.
    He leaned down. “So I’ll see you.”
    â€œI’m looking forward to it.” She waved as the cab pulled away. Contented, Gabby settled in for the ride home.
    * * *
    Despite the 86-degree reading on the thermometer, Alicia and Lauren relaxed on the chaise lounges with a glass of lemonade, while Kurt tried to get some color a little closer to the pool.
    â€œAre you sure you have enough sunblock on?” Alicia called.
    â€œI’m fine, Mom,” Kurt said, exasperated.
    â€œLeave him alone, Alicia. He’s a grown man.”
    â€œI know. But do you remember how quickly his father burned? Kurt’s got skin just like him.”
    â€œKurt was the only black person I’ve ever seen turn into a lobster in under ten minutes.”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œFor God’s sake, Alicia, you gave him SPF 50 and that’s essentially long sleeves in a tube. I think he’s good.”
    Just then a Frisbee flew into the yard, followed by a topless blonde.
    â€œSorry.” She waved and ran back to Nathaniel’s yard.
    Alicia sat up and felt her forehead. “I don’t think I have heatstroke. That was a topless woman that just ran in my yard, right?”
    â€œYes. I’m surprised they allow such things in uptight Scarsdale. But that can only mean one thing, naughty Nate’s back in town,” she sang.
    â€œDon’t remind me.” Alicia groaned. “Mr. Becker is up to his usual shenanigans.”
    â€œListen to you with all this Mr. Becker stuff.”
    â€œThat’s his name.”
    â€œHis name is Nathaniel Becker, and most of us call him Nate.”
    â€œSo what? He calls me Ms. Archer.”
    Lauren shook her head. “You don’t see it, do you?”
    â€œWhat don’t I see?”
    â€œThe sexual tension between you two. You can practically cut it with a knife.”
    Alicia burst out laughing. “That is completely ridiculous. We can’t stand each other.”
    â€œThere’s a thin line between love and hate, Ms. Archer.”
    â€œPut a sock in it, Lauren,” Alicia warned.
    Lauren continued undaunted. “What’s wrong with Nate? He’s successful, educated and God knows he’s not hard to look at, in case you haven’t noticed.”
    â€œIn case you haven’t noticed, I seem to be living next to the Westchester version of the Playboy mansion. He’s got women coming in and out of there at all times of the night and day. It’s a wonder he has the time or energy to practice medicine.”
    Just then a volleyball bounced into the yard and two topless women came over to retrieve it. They waved at Kurt. He waved back