Searching for Mr. Darcy

Scene Sixteen

Maisie was glowing as she walked in her door at the end of the evening.  Bastian, to put it simply, was amazing.  Besides being incredibly handsome and having good taste in books, he was thoughtful, funny, and genuinely interested in her.  Somehow.  At the end of the date, he didn't even try and kiss her, just gave her a sweet peck on the cheek and a smile that clearly said, "Next time."

Basically, Maisie could have flown to the moon on the high she was experiencing.

"How'd it go?" Talia asked, already in pajamas.  She muted the television, cutting off John Oliver in the middle of a rant about the election.

"Do you ever go home?" Maisie asked in return, grinning like an idiot.

"No, and thank goodness for that - look at your face!  It went well, didn't it? Not just well, great!  You can't stop smiling!"  Talia moved her blankets aside and patted the couch for Maisie to sit.

"It was maybe the best date I've ever been on."

"Really!?!?"

Maisie nodded.  "We talked about Austen, and our other favorite authors, and movies, and his mom knits, too.  We had a lot in common, but also some really cool differences. He likes to hike, like you.  And he has a dog named Sirius."

"Like the Sirius in Harry Potter?"

"Yep."

"This guys sounds made for you."

"I know!" Maisie practically squealed.  "I had a really good time, and we're going out again next week."

"You already made a second date?  Damn, girl!  What night, I'm going to have to cancel one of the others."

"You've set up other dates?"

"Of course. You're booked for the next two weeks."

Maisie shook her head, but for the first time since discovering the page, didn't mind her best friend's zeal.  "Where's Dashwood," she asked, looking around the room for a ginger tail.

"Hiding in your room.  She was not happy when I came through the door instead of you earlier."

"I'll bet."

"I don't understand why your cat doesn't like me.  I'm fucking delightful."

Maisie hugged her, then stood up.  She was tired and ready for bed.  "I'm guessing it has to do with the time I went out of town and you forgot to feed him for two days."

Talia shrugged.  "Oh, that."