Searching for Mr. Darcy

Scene Sixty-One

By Monday morning, Marcus still had not responded.  Maisie rationalized that he had probably been busy on Sunday - it had always been a big family for him.  Surely he would get back to her today.

There was no coffee waiting at her desk and she realized she probably needed to make up with George.  They hadn't exactly fought, but things had been tense since his interference in her and Talia's friendship.  She knew he was just trying to help - he was a fixer, after all.  He couldn't stand anyone being in conflict about anything.  Broken relationship - George to the rescue.  Flat tire - George had a spare in his trunk.  New recipe didn't turn out as planned - George had a foolproof one from his mother's kitchen.  It was just who he was.

She walked over to his cubicle before the staff meeting, but he wasn't there, so she grabbed a post-it note and drew a cross-eyed smiley face for him and stuck it to his computer monitor.  He didn't show up for the staff meeting and Roseberg told the team he'd called out sick.  Maisie surreptitiously texted him when Roseberg's back was turned.

"I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, buddy!  Can I bring you chicken soup at lunch?"  

The response came quickly.  "Aw, thanks.  I appreciate it, but no need.  I've got a hot nurse here taking care of me."

"???"

"Just a woman I've been seeing the last couple of weeks."

Roseburg turned back around, so Maisie hid her phone.  He droned on about the numbers from April, then asked the marketing team to present the graphics for their newest campaign.  There was no chance to text him again until the meeting was over and she could run to the bathroom.

"What?! You didn't tell me you were dating anyone."

"I didn't want to jinx it," he texted back.

"Who is she?"

"She's the most amazing goddess in the world."

"Does this Athena have a name?"  Maisie waited, chewing on her nails, for the grey bubble and it's stupid ellipses to changed into George's response.  It felt like forever.

"You think Athena is the best goddess?"

Maisie laughed, but at the same time, wanted to throttle him.  He never dated.  At least, not anyone serious.  She needed the details, not banter.  "Of course.  Who do you think is?"

"Aphrodite, obviously."

"You're such a man."

"I have the penis and everything."

"And you think with it!"

"Only 50% of the time."

Maisie chuckled and went back to her desk to get started on her sales calls.  It wasn't until she was leaving at the end of the day that she realized George hadn't actually told her anything about his mysterious new girlfriend.

And still nothing from Marcus.