First Impressions: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Adaptation

Chapter 37

As Georgie led the way back to the living room, she seemed to remember she had requirements as a hostess. "Oh! Um. Can I get you something to... drink?"

"No, I'm good," Liz told her, even as Mrs. Gardiner responded in the affirmative.

"Yes, thank you."

"Ah..." Georgie grimaced as she was suddenly divided between the group. Clearly no previous hosting had prepared her for this outcome.

Lo tapped her on the shoulder. "I've got them, G, it's okay."

"Would you? Thank you," she said immediately and then let out a little squeak when she realized that perhaps her response was not the most correct for the situation. "I—I mean, wait I'm supposed to..."

"Don't worry about it, G. Really." She swept the Gardiners away without a second word, leaving Georgie to stare after them. She might have remained there much longer if Liz had not suggested they step outside. She really did want to see the garden, but mostly she just wanted Georgie to stop fussing about what she was doing right or wrong.

Georgie paused at a bench by the door, picking up a large, brightly striped bag. She pushed open the door and Apple shot out onto the paved patio. He ran a lap around the bricks before throwing himself to the ground, rolling onto his back. He turned his head towards the girls, ears lying flat around his face. His tongue lolled out from the side of his mouth.

"Your brother told me he's your dog. He's very sweet." When Liz knelt down and scratched his belly, his back left leg kicked happily at the air.

"Yes, isn't he? Fitz found him for me as a Christmas present last year and I absolutely adore him." Georgie beamed. "He was in training as a psychiatric service animal but"—she lowered her voice as if afraid to hurt the dog's feelings—"he flunked out for being too friendly. They couldn't stop him from going up to strangers, looking to be pet."

Liz laughed. "I noticed that!"

"So, now he's just a very clever emotional support pup." Georgie scratched him under his chin and he let out a cheerful little tip and tried—and failed—to lick her hand. "I've been trying to think about training him, though, he's still young enough... Maybe if I get very good at discipline, I could still register him as a PSA."

"Oh, there you are," said an unwelcome but familiar voice. "What are you sitting on the ground for?" Caroline looked down at them. She had pulled her hair out of her face and had slid a pair of sunglasses—large, rounded, gaudy, with a gold-sheened frame. Almost exactly the shape and style Liz had imagined her wearing at their first meeting—over her ears to rest on the top of her head.

Liz only smiled pleasantly up at her. "We're petting the dog."

"Fun," she said, in a tone that remarked that she could not think of anything less enjoyable to be doing. "Whatever. Where's Lo?"

"Still inside. Um, I think she—"

Before Georgie could speculate where the eldest Bingley was, she stepped out onto the patio, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner had his phone in his hand and a concerned expression on his face, his features crumpled into contemplation. "I'm sorry, I know you have plans, but I have a call I have to take. I don't know how long it will be, but I don't want to break anything up."

Georgie raised herself to her feet. "Would you like to take it out here? Or in my brother's office? If you do, I'm sure he won't mind!"

"Out here would be fine, if I'm not going to be in the way."

"Yes, no problem!" she assured him quickly.

Mrs. Gardiner reached out towards her niece and said, "Lizzie, I'm going to stay here until Howie is off."