First (Wrong) Impressions: A Modern Pride & Prejudice by Krista D Ball

looked up. “I heard you the first time.”
    Confusion spread across his face. “I suppose you want to dance.”
    She put her phone down. “I see through your question. You want to make fun of me. So, no, I don’t want to dance. So you can go ahead and despise me for seeing through you.”
    She wasn’t sure what she expected, but it wasn’t what happened next.
    Darcy didn’t frown or glare. No, Darcy did nothing like that. Instead, he looked into her eyes, his voice went just a touch husky, and he said, with a small smile, “I’d never dare despise you.”
    Seriously? That was his comeback? Ugh. She rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t help but smile a little at the silliness, and went back to her phone.
    The evening dragged on for an eternity, with Charles dancing with Jane nearly all night. He did ask Lizzy for a couple of dances, and she accepted. Darcy sat at the table all night, though he did dance with Caroline whenever Charles managed to drag Lizzy away. Luke also danced with Lizzy a couple of times.
    Around midnight, when Lizzy was barely conscious, Charles stormed over to Darcy and said, “Dude, come on. You have to dance. I can’t stand seeing you sitting around by yourself.”
    “You know I hate dancing with strangers.”
    Charles lowered his voice. “Lizzy has been sitting here all night.”
    “I’m not in the mood to dance,” Lizzy piped up before Darcy asked her to completely ruin the evening. “I’m exhausted and I’m just waiting for a ride home. I’m too tired to drive.”
    “I can drive you,” Darcy said. “Or call a cab?”
    Charles rolled his eyes.
    “I’m waiting for Luke. He’s giving Jane and me a ride back.” Lizzy, remembering her chiding earlier, added, “But thank you for offering. It’s about fifty bucks for a cab from here. I’ll just wait.”
    Charles shrugged. “All right then.”
    Unfortunately, Charles and Jane didn’t stop dancing until 2 a.m. and, by then, Luke was too tired to drive, Charles, Darcy, and Caroline had drunk too much, and Mary had to chauffeur them all home in the van.
    Worst wedding ever.

Chapter 9
    October 4
    There was a slight problem with the whole rich-people invasion of Lizzy’s house: it was their turn to host Sunday dinner. So that meant Mom, Dad, Mary, Lydia, Jane, Lizzy, Caroline, Darcy, and Charles would all be eating supper.
    Together.
    At the same time.
    Mom was loud, even by her usual standards, and Lydia was extra-hyper and obnoxious. Introductions were made, since James Bennet hadn’t actually spoken to Caroline or Darcy at the wedding. He’d been busy watching his wife make a fool of herself.
    Mom lavished attention on Charles, to the point that Dad actually stepped up to her and said, in his usual monotone, sarcasm-laced voice, “Leave the poor man alone.”
    “Oh, shoosh, you. Charles Bingley doesn’t mind an old lady fussing at him, now do you, my love?”
    “Not at all, Mrs. Bennet.”
    She patted his arm. “Look at that. Such manners. I’m sorry for the savages comment before, at Maria’s party. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
    Charles smiled politely, even though Caroline turned her head away, clearly upset.
    Dad shook Darcy’s hand and they exchanged sedate greetings. Mom ignored Darcy completely. He wasn’t dating any of her daughters, so why should she waste her time on him? This, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is the extent of Mom’s social skills.
    They sat down to dinner and Lizzy had high hopes that the noise would reduce once their mouths were full of roasted chicken, scalloped potatoes, and green beans. Sadly, the food didn’t seem to slow her family down at all.
    Dad winked when Lizzy looked at him. “Lizzy, my dear, are you free next weekend? I need help moving boxes at the store. You’re so good at manual labour.”
    Lizzy felt her cheeks heat up and she held back an embarrassed chuckle “Oh my God, Dad.” She gave him a reproachful look.
    “It’s just that my other daughters are all