Read First (Wrong) Impressions: A Modern Pride & Prejudice for Free Online

really, for judging. Jane always said she judged people too fast. “What kind?”
    “Corporate, mostly.”
    “Um, what is corporate aboriginal art?”
    “Many companies want to give the right impression when they first set up shop in Western Canada. I work with their needs to produce appropriate art.”
    What the hell did that mean? “It’s great that you get paid for your art. So few people can make a living wage at it.”
    “It really isn’t that hard if you have talent and connections.”
    Lizzy had a hot reply on the tip of her tongue, but held back. She wasn’t here to pick a fight. She repeated that in her mind until Charles and Jane came out of the house and got into the car. Eager to talk to anyone not Caroline, Lizzy asked, “Do you have a restaurant in mind, Charles?”
    “We’re going to Prairie Steakhouse,” Jane said.
    Oh crap. Lizzy didn’t know how much money was in her back account. Last time she checked, it was $75. Had she used much since then? It was going to cost a good $50 for a meal there. Dammit. That was grocery money for next week.
    “My treat.”
    “Really, Charles?”
    Lizzy noticed the sneer in Caroline’s voice, but it looked as though Jane and Charles didn’t. Probably because they were making googly-eyes at each other in the rear-view mirror. Twenty-four hours and they were already like horny teenagers. Lizzy was thrilled.
    “Darcy’s already there and has a table reserved for us.”
    Lizzy looked at Jane and stuck her tongue out in disgust. Caroline’s reaction was less visceral, but more surprised. “You didn’t tell me Darcy was still in town!”
    “Yes, I did. You weren’t listening.”
    They arrived and Caroline fake-kissed Darcy on each cheek, who tolerated the gesture. It reminded Lizzy of cats claiming their territory and Caroline had just peed all over Darcy’s tree. Horrified by that image — good Lord, where had it come from? — Lizzy shook off all thoughts of Darcy, Caroline, and peeing, and sat down to dinner.
    The usual small talk ensued. Lizzy learned that Caroline did a significant amount of illustration work for Darcy’s company, Fitz & William Enterprises. Apparently, Darcy co-owned the company with his cousin and they made educational materials: software, games, books, learning tools, mobile applications, and they even had a popular short video series for young children when travelling.
    So, apparently, Caroline was gorgeous, talented, accomplished, and perfect in every way. Lizzy got the impression that she was the dirt on Caroline’s $500 shoes. She and Darcy were perfect for each other.
    Lizzy wasn’t convinced that Darcy had any interest in Caroline beyond her artistic talent; however, her flirting and his ignoring it proved to be vastly entertaining. Maybe he was gay and still in the closet. It was possible, though it meant that both her and Luke’s gaydars were broken, and she was usually pretty good at those things.
    Plus, there was the issue of Darcy’s staring. He sat across from Lizzy the entire meal and watched her constantly. Even when she ordered the soup and salad, he stared at her. What was that all about?
    Charles protested Lizzy’s choice, concerned that she wasn’t ordering what she wanted because he was paying. Lizzy assured him that French onion soup was her absolute favourite soup and she wanted to try it. However, it took Jane ordering a steak and reiterating that Lizzy always ordered French onion soup when it was offered.
    “It’s Lizzy’s way to determine if a restaurant is worth coming back to a second time,” Jane said, grinning.
    “Then you judge all restaurants based on the quality of their French onion soup?” Darcy asked.
    Lizzy wiggled her eyebrows and said, “Why, yes, Mr. Darcy. I have standards, after all.”
    Lizzy went back to chatting with Charles and Jane, and Darcy’s attention was so focused on her conversation that the waiter had to ask him twice for his order. Predictably, Darcy ordered the