Lizzie demanded a story be written one day as I was listening to a song. Since I wanted something fun, something with strong Elizabeth as opposed to Stepford, where exactly has her brain gone?, Elizabeth...I went with it. It was intended to be a one shot story, but I was persuaded to do a second part.
Part I
Elizabeth Webber looked good, and she knew it. Her silk teal-colored dress - her grandfather would have declared it didn't have enough material to make a man a decent necktie - showed off yards of creamy, smooth, ivory colored skin. Every man in the bar had done a double-take when she walked in, but she ignored them all. She wasn't interested in letting just anybody into her life - let alone her bed - any time soon.
She'd had the perfect man and she wasn't sure she could replace him. Or if she even wanted to. He was pure freedom, romance and mystery rolled into one perfect package. And what a package it was.
Frowning, she absently raised her drink and wrapped her crimson stained lips around the straw. She was unaware of the stifled groans several of the male patrons let out; she was unaware of a lot at the moment. Her eyes felt gritty and her throat tight at the emotion that slammed into her. It wasn't the sex she missed - though it was good - it was the way they could talk about everything or nothing at all, the way they just fit together perfectly.
And now he was gone.
"If you keep frowning like that you'll have wrinkles before you're thirty," her best friend murmured in her ear, breaking her from her thoughts.
Her nose wrinkled on a scowl, then she sighed. "I know, Carly. Roberts' Guide to Life: Never mope over a guy past the allotted weekend of tears, Ben and Jerry's and chick flicks. I'm trying."
"I know, honey," Carly said as she took a seat on the stool next to her. "He broke your heart, and it takes a while to bounce back. Look at me."
Elizabeth turned her head and did. On the outside Carly looked the perfection of poise and grace. Her ruby raw silk sheath flowed over her like water, accentuating every curve to entice. But Elizabeth had seen the devastation left behind by Sonny Corinthos and how Carly was still haunted by his rejection. Her friend tried to hide it, but Carly was hurting just as much as her.
"Maybe this was a mistake," she sighed. "I-I don't think I'm ready to be out among the single scene."
"Come on, Elizabeth," Carly said, placing a perfectly manicured hand on her arm. "You can't let that no good rat Jason Morgan continue to rule your life like this. He proved exactly just how worthless a man he was when he..hen...oh crap."
Elizabeth peered up at Carly, confusion wrinkling her brow when her friend trailed off. "What's wrong?"
"You're right," Carly suddenly said. "This was a bad idea. We should go, maybe head over to Jake's."
"It's wet t-shirt night," Elizabeth said with a frown, crossing her arms over her chest. "After the last time, you swore you'd go back there on wet t-shirt night the day you kissed Coleman. You've decided to lay a big ol' wet one on the bar owner?"
Carly's contorted face gave her all the answer she needed and she nodded. "What's going-"
"Hey, how 'bout The No Name?" Carly cut in. "We can celebrate there just as well as we can here."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. Something was definitely up. She was going to get to the bottom of it, but first she was getting a fresh drink. Something told her she was going to need the comfort of a little liquor. Turning to signal the bartender, she saw him, and froze.
"I'm sorry," Carly whispered, following her gaze. "Do you want to leave?"
She wanted to do a lot of things, but leaving didn't even top the list. She wanted to go over there and curse Sonny Corinthos - for Carly, for herself. She wanted to go over there and curse Jason Morgan for things too numerous to list. She wanted to snatch every fake blonde piece of hair off Courtney Corinthos' head. But instead she settled for getting her backbone back and banishing her tears.
Why should she cry over Jason anymore? He certainly hadn't spared her a second thought when he dumped her.
Looking up when she heard footsteps echo across the warehouse floor and she smiled and pushed back her shield. He was so handsome in his navy suit, and he moved with such poise that she was tempted to take off early so she could get him out of it.
"Hey you," she smiled as he stopped in front of her.
"Hey," he returned evenly as he looked around her workplace, then folded his arms across his chest being careful not to touch anything.
"I wasn't expecting to see you today, your secretary said your day was full of meetings." She raised her hand to touch his cheek, but he stepped back and her hand fell to her side. Not bothering to hide her frown, she asked, "What's wrong."
"I've got a dinner meeting later on. I don't want to get dirty."
"A dinner meeting?" she questioned. "Oh. I thought we were meeting at Jake's for a late dinner and then pool."
"I'm sorry, I can't," he said, not sounding very sorry at all. In fact he sounded exasperated, something more and more common.
"Alright, what's really going on? You became vice-president at Corinthos Enterprises, you tell me you're being considered for executive VP and suddenly I feel like gum on your shoe. How come I haven't been to any of these dinners you've been going to?"
"Because they're business, Elizabeth." Her hands curled into fists inside her pockets at the patronizing tone he'd adopted.
"Yet you talk about all the other wives and girlfriends that go. How come I always hear about them after the fact or just as you're ready to walk out the door to one?"
"Elizabeth," he sighed, hooking his hand behind his neck. "I don't want to fight."
"Well, I want some answers."
"Look...it's just..."
"Just what?" she pressed.
"You're not exactly like the other wives and girlfriends," he finally said. "I mean look around, Elizabeth. You're a welder!"
"I am an artist...a modern artist who welds some of her pieces. But if I was just a welder why would that matter?"
"Because you don't fit in with the others. They talk about books, you talk about arc welders and burning a hole in your overalls," he said with a flick of his wrist at her outfit.
She stepped back as if she'd been slapped. "You...you want me to give up my art?"
"No," he said immediately. "I would never ask you to do that. Ever."
She believed him. It was about the only thing she did believe since he'd walked into her studio. So if it wasn't her art, then what? Her eyes widened as it hit her. "You're breaking up with me. Aren't you?"
"I'm sorry."
"You're sorry? You come in here, lie to me, can't even say the words yourself and you're sorry? For what?" she snapped. "For making me feel like I'm inferior?"
"Geez, Elizabeth, it's not like I dumped you in public. But come on. You have to understand. Corinthos Enterprises is about to go public, it's getting recognized by magazines like Money and Fortune 500. Everyone, especially the executives, is expected to present a certain image."
"And I don't fit that image is what you're saying. I see. You can go now," she dismissed him. "I wouldn't want to keep you from your dinner meeting."
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," he said softly, his eyes filled with false sympathy.
"So am I," she replied, refusing to break down in front of him. "I'm sorry for ever thinking you were a decent man. All you care about is pleasing your pig of a boss and presenting the right image. Get out of my studio and you can get your stuff out of my apartment. Go find a nice penthouse and ask your boss how to decorate it."
By the time she got home that evening his stuff was gone. A few weeks later the society page was abuzz over the fact that Sonny Corinthos, former high school drop out from the Bronx, was now engaged to Lily Rivera, daughter of Rivera International mogul Daniel Rivera and the two companies were talking of merging. Carly had broken down, ate three pints of Cherry Garcia, and downed a fifth of whisky. Elizabeth had stared in shock at the picture of Jason with Courtney Corinthos on his arm. From Carly she learned that Courtney had gone to private schools, was a debutante, the picture of grace and had spent the summer touring Europe. She was everything Elizabeth wasn't, and in no time at all people were speculating Jason and Courtney would soon be engaged.
Both Sonny and Jason had found their perfect, socially acceptable women. Carly and Elizabeth had become the embarrassing women from the wild days of their past. Back when they were scrapping to become the men they were today. Lily and Courtney were demure, soft, and wonderful. Carly and Elizabeth were brash, wild and ill-tempered.
"I'm going to powder my nose," she declared, reaching for her clutch purse.
"What? Wait," Carly said, reaching her arm. "Just wait until they've been seated. You know it will be before us. They won't come into the bar, they'll never know we're here. Oooh, maybe we should ask them to seat us on opposite sides of the restaurant. Better yet, come on, let's just go to The No Name."
"I'm going," she repeated. "Now."
"Then I'm going with you. No way I'm letting you face those barracudas alone."
With heads held high, the two women started for the restroom, and walked in a direct line for the quartet. Elizabeth was acutely aware of Jason and knew the instant he saw her by the way he stiffened ever so slightly, then studiously ignored her. She was going to prove to him that he hadn't broken her, that she didn't care if he thought she was an embarrassment, she wasn't going to be affected every time she saw him, and unfortunately, their circles were probably going to start crossing more. Walking by him on the way to the bathroom seemed like a good place to start. Baby steps.
"Well," a haughty female voice sniffed, "apparently the Grille isn't as discriminating as it used to be."
"Keep going," she whispered to Carly, their backs now to the group. They were almost there. "Ignore her."
"Yes, maybe we should rethink our choice to dine here," Courtney agreed.
"No need for that, ladies," Sonny said, and Elizabeth could practically hear the dimples. "Good evening, Elizabeth. Caroline."
They stopped and turned, knowing they couldn't walk by and ignore them after Sonny had specifically spoken their names. Carly smiled sweetly and Elizabeth knew that look, bracing herself for what was to come. "It's Carly, Sonny. Of course, you really had no problem screaming that out when I used to ride you like my personal stud. So let's not go all formal now, Michael, simply because you might get your name in the society papers. If you will excuse us."
Lily and Courtney started to sputter, but thankfully the hostess chose that moment to come and seat the four snobs. When they were gone Elizabeth turned to Carly and just shook her head. "I cannot believe you just said that, in the middle of the lobby of all places."
"I hate being called Caroline and he knows it. I figured if his perfect society princess could be rude and catty, then I wasn't going to hold back. Come on," she said, taking Elizabeth's elbow, "now I really do need to powder my nose. Getting angry makes me oily."
When they returned to the waiting area, calm and regrouped after their time in the powder room, their table was ready and they followed behind the hostess as she led them their seats. Thankfully they weren't seated right next to Sonny and Jason, but they were still close - too close - enough to hear every happy burst of laughter and for Elizabeth to see every loving touch between Jason and Courtney. And of course she would be sitting where Jason could turn his head ever so slightly and look at her. Life could really suck sometimes.
Especially when she could feel his piercing blues eyes on her throughout most of the meal. When Carly ordered champagne and toasted her best friend's success she blushed from the attention half the restaurant focused on her, but she was only aware of Jason's gaze. When Amanda Barrington stopped by their table to once again congratulate and praise her successful art showing she could feel the disbelief of everyone present, except Jason. When she dared to glance at him from the corner of her eye she saw only pride on his face.
She tried not to think about that, or him, or the way his eyes followed her when they left the dining room. She tried to brush it off as nearly every man in the place was looking at her. Her dress, which hit mid-thigh and scooped dangerously low on her back, was out of place at the Grille. Most of the men were probably just looking for a little slap and tickle with a floozy and Jason was probably mortified by her clearly inappropriate attire and thanking his lucky stars he was with Courtney who knew how to dress so he wouldn't be embarrassed in front of his business associates.
Alone in her apartment the hurt of the situation threatened to overwhelm her once again. It was ridiculous to still be so angry, so affected, by a guy who told her she was inappropriate, after all this time. Why should she care still? She had enough self-respect to know that anybody who thought he was superior to her in any way wasn't worth her time of day. Maybe that was the problem. Jason had never acted like he was above her, but he certainly had let her know that she wasn't what he deemed acceptable. What he wanted in his life, what would take him where he wanted to go. It was a good thing Carly wasn't with her to see her backslide into the pain.
When the knock sounded on her door, she pushed her hair back and tightened the sash on her robe. It was probably Carly, who instinctively knew she would be like this, and would be holding a bag of supplies to drown her heartache. She loved her best friend.
"Hey, Carly," she said when she threw open the door. Then blinked when she realized it wasn't her friend, but instead the very source of her misery. "Jason?"
"Hello, Elizabeth," he said, his eyes following the neckline of her robe which was open just a bit.
Pulling the fabric back together she crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here?"
"Can I come in?" he asked as he cast a nervous glance over his shoulder.
"No," she replied, refusing to budge. Too bad if he was worried about someone seeing him in this neighborhood, outside her door. "What do you want?"
"I-I wanted to congratulate you on your show."
"My show was a week ago. Maybe you missed the announcement in the paper, or the invitations Mrs. Barrington sent to all the businesses in Port Charles. Of course, I'm just a welder, so why would I care that you and Sonny and your perfect little women didn't show up, or that you never acknowledged it before now." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Go home, Jason. We wouldn't want word to get to Sonny or his sister that you were here."
His hand shot out and prevented her from closing the door. "I'm sorry. Look, I know you're mad at me, but I am proud of you for getting your own show. Your art is amazing and...and I'm sorry I belittled it."
"You didn't just belittle my art, you belittled me," she corrected coolly. "Now you need to go. You extended your congratulations, I thank you for them, but I can't stand to look at you."
"I never meant to hurt you," he said as his head dipped.
"Well, you did. But you were right. I am all wrong for you. You're more interested in money, fine cars, the right restaurant, and your position at work. I don't care about that. I think small talk is boring, and my idea of fun is a motorcycle ride followed by a game of pool. You used to think the same thing. I'm sorry I didn't change when you did, and I'm sorry I can't be the perfect demure woman on your arm.
"My temperament is too fiery for someone in your position and you don't need the trouble I bring. Courtney is as bland as water, conforming to whatever container she's in. Go home and be happy with her, let her keep you warm at night, marry her and pop out babies. Just please leave me alone."
This time he didn't stop her when she closed the door, and she leaned heavily against the slick metal. The tears came, and with shaky legs she crossed to her bed and collapsed. One of these days she wasn't going to let him get to her like this. He'd made it very clear he didn't want her, why couldn't she just accept that?
Her hand reached out and grabbed her phone. "Carly...it's me. I need a little comfort...yeah, thanks, Carly. I'll see you in a bit."
One more night of crying, and then she was done for good. She was fire and it was time to stop wishing she wasn't. Sooner or later water froze, and when it did...it would serve Jason right.
Part II
The world apparently hated her. That was completely alright with Elizabeth because the feeling was more than mutual. She hated Gia Campbell who one night over tequila shots at Jakes told her that the best revenge was a life well lived. Elizabeth needed to date a string of hotties - the former model was definitely drunk when hottie slipped into her vocabulary - and show Jason Morgan that she was over him and moving on with her life. She hated Carly for not remaining sober because her best friend knew she couldn't hold her tequila, and she hated herself for agreeing. And then for not backing out once she'd sobered up.
So began a string of horrendously bad blind dates. Ric Lansing, the corporate lawyer who wore too much cologne and made her take her shoes off before climbing into his car. That night as she got rip-roaring drunk with Carly to drown out the memory they began referring to him as Little Penis Man, because obviously he was trying to overcompensate for something with the suped-up little sports car he was trying to impress her with. Then came Mr. Grabby Hands Lucky Spencer, followed by Nikolas Cassadine - who made her wish her medium was marble or clay instead of metal just so she could sculpt him, but bored her to tears within the first five minutes and made her invoke the Rescue Me Clause with Carly.
A string of unremarkable, yet good looking, men followed, and she couldn't have cared less. All she wanted to do was work on her art and if she did go out she just wanted it to be with Carly. She was tired of awkward small talk that she knew would go nowhere. She never should have agreed to Gia's suggestion, no matter how well intended her friend was.
The only good thing that came out of the whole fiasco was her friendship with Zander Smith. And that nearly didn't happen because he was the one date Jason had seen her with, and she threw herself on Zander cheaply and shamelessly in an effort to prove to Jason that she was moving on and having the time of her life. She had felt Jason's eyes on her the entire time, could practically feel his disapproval as she and Zander ordered drink after drink, and danced in a manner that would have raised eyebrows even at Jake's. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed back at her apartment and Zander didn't think she was a tease for draping herself all over him in public, then pulling back when his hand slipped under her shirt in private.
Surprisingly, he understood. He admitted he'd gone out trying to forget someone as well - his ex-girlfriend who'd moved to California and broke up with him over the phone. Understanding the need to try and fill the gap with someone else, the two ended up talking until three in the morning. He was certainly no Jason, but he was someone she could talk to besides Carly and Gia, and talking kept her from the edge where she wanted to smash all her pieces and then cry.
They were supposed to meet here tonight, but his professor moved up the date of the mid-term and he was going to have to spend the next few nights studying. She promised she'd drop by with coffee and sticky buns on her way home so he could take a break while getting a caffeine and sugar rush. But for now she was just going to play pool, and try hard not to think about the time Jason had made love to her on the felt covered table one night after Jake's was closed.
"Hello, gorgeous."
She looked up from her shot and gave a withering look to her unwanted admirer. "Look, let me save you some trouble. I'm playing pool by myself tonight. I don't want company so buzz off."
"Oh come on," he chuckled. "Just looking for a little company tonight. I've never played before...maybe you could help me hold my stick."
She walked to the end of the table and took her shot, sinking the nine ball. Why did men have to be so dense and then try and turn everything into a double entendre? Coolly flicking her gaze over the hopeful looking man, she straightened and put the bottom of her stick on the toe of her high heeled leather boot. "I'm going to say this again. I'm not interested, so get lost. Clear enough for you or do I need to use smaller words and visual aids?"
"Don't be coy, sweet thing," he leered at her as he stepped closer and let his hand brush across her leather covered hip.
He winced and gasped in a mixture of pain and surprise when she grabbed his hand, twisted it at the wrist while pulling his fingers back. "Do not touch me," she seethed.
As abruptly as she grabbed him, she let him go and spun on her heel to put the pool table between her and the leech. He yanked on her elbow, but before she could turn and fight him off, his grip suddenly slipped off. Turning, she only saw the back of the someone's suit and gulped. Déjà vu all over again.
"The lady told you to leave her alone," Jason growled out low and dangerously.
The man scoffed loudly. "Lady? Buster, she ain't no lady. Certainly not looking like that."
Elizabeth folded her arms over her black lace top as Jason stepped forward. "Apologize to her now. And never come near her again. Do you understand me?"
Apparently despite the thousand dollar suit he was still intimidating and the other man turned and practically tripped over his feet in an effort to leave. Elizabeth took a step back, then another and wondered if she couldn't just slip out the back door and not have to deal with Jason. But he turned and she stopped when she saw the flash go through his eyes. It went from anger to disgust at the quick perusal of her tank top and red leather pants.
"You okay?"
She rolled her eyes at the White Knight. "I'm fine. There was no need for you to possibly muss up your suit. I was handling it."
He glanced down at her arm and scowled. "Yeah, obviously."
Looking down she saw red, angry welts just above her arm. "I'd already bent his fingers back just like...like you taught me. I would have dealt with him. Besides, even if he hadn't touched me I was already mad because he'd messed up my pool game. Some guys just don't take no for an answer."
He looked over her shoulder and she watched as his electric blue eyes darkened and sizzled. He obviously was remembering that night as well. "You remember all those lessons you gave me?" she asked, her voice dropping a degree. "I can't play without remembering you. The way your arms fit around me."
"I...I don't play anymore," he said, his voice adopting a tone as if she'd asked him to eat tripe. But it was him playing with the end of his tie that let her know he was flustered.
"Too bad," she murmured as she picked up the chalk cube and ran it over the tip of her stick. She circled the table and leaned over to take a shot, knowing his eyes were on the leather pants and the way they were stretched taut. "I really haven't found a playing partner as perfectly matched for me as you were."
"I...I..."
"How's the job going?" she asked, taking another shot. She knew her tight, vee-necked tank was giving a clear view of everything he'd once had but walked away from. "Made Executive VP yet?"
"No," he said, his voice sounding oddly tight.
"Hmm, that's too bad. You certainly are smart enough for it. Sonny waiting until after the wedding? Or is he hoping to make you part of the family before promoting you? Trade his sister for a job, just like he's doing with Lily."
"Sonny isn't like that," he sad forcefully. She'd struck a nerve obviously and the automatic Sonny can do no wrong mantra was about to come. "I'm still learning a few things."
She raised her eyebrows as she appraised him. The suit, tie, sensible shoes, and businessman's haircut made him look like a Sonny Corinthos clone. "Still being groomed? What's he trying to get you to do now?"
"It's not like that." He snapped the words forcefully, a bit too forcefully.
"Of course," she nodded with a casualness she didn't entirely feel, then took another shot. "Besides, what would I know about business? Dumb, ignorant Lizzie Webber. It's amazing I was able to get my driver's license and drive down here all by myself."
"Elizabeth," he sighed. "I never thought you were stupid. Why do you do that?"
"Defensive reflex. Born from years of practice. Whenever someone acts like they're superior to me or who I am isn't good enough for them." She said it plainly and simply, and she almost thought she saw him flinch at the unspoken comparison of him to her family. Once he used to be incensed at the way they brushed her off as flakey and worthless because she didn't go into law like the rest of her family. "What are you doing here, Jason? A little trip down memory lane to celebrate escaping this life?"
"My car broke down. I called a tow truck."
"Good thing you're by yourself. I imagine you wouldn't want Courtney in a place like this."
"Courtney," he said, as he suddenly turned around.
There she sat at the bar, Coleman lurking nearby in addition to several dockworkers. Her eyes were a bit wide and her champagne colored dress looked decidedly out of place in a room of denim, flannel and leather. Elizabeth watched as Jason rushed over, told the others to get lost and glared at the bar owner for the lecherous looks he was sending Courtney's way. Jason wrapped his arm around the blonde woman's shoulders, held her delicately and protectively to his side.
The sight was nauseating and Elizabeth turned from it. She needed a drink to rid herself of that image, to bear herself up to be in the same room as Jason and his shrinking violet, but there was no way she was going near the bar anytime soon. Then there was a soft voice in her ear. "You really don't want to miss the floor show, Elizabeth. Here."
She took the proffered mudslide from Carly and took a generous sip. Carly was dressed in black leather pants and a crimson wrap top, and the brunette had a glint in her eye that made Elizabeth smile. "What'd you do?"
"Nothing really," she smiled innocently. "Slipped Coleman a hundred and told him to spike Courtney's soda. If she doesn't do it now, no doubt she'll be booting all over Jason's car on the way home. Or," she said with a wicked waggle of her eyebrows, "even better she'll puke all over him when, like the gallant knight he is, he tries to get her up to her apartment.
"You know, if I was into girl on girl action I would so kiss you right now."
"Yeah, well we probably wouldn't want to make all of Coleman's wet dreams come true, though," her friend laughed.
They watched as Courtney began to sway on her seat and rub her head cautiously. Jason looked concerned and tightened his hold around her. When he tried to help her to her feet she caught her foot in her hem and if it hadn't been for him she would have fallen. He led her outside while shooting murderous glares over his shoulder at the bartender who looked the picture of innocence. When the pair was outside Coleman threw his head back and laughed.
A minute later he was at their side with fresh drinks. "On the house, ladies. Always a pleasure to help you two stick it to those worthless losers who dumped you just because they got a little money. Heard about your little stunt with Corinthos, Lizzie. Good one."
Then with a wink he was gone and Carly turned to her. "What'd you do, Liz?"
"Well, it wasn't all me," she said, looking up at her best friend. "I got a little help from Zander who works for Jasper Jacks. Apparently he can't stand Sonny either, so he paid off the tailor they both use. Sonny is about to go on a diet."
"Why? The man loves to cook. The richer the food, the better."
"Yes, and when he can't button his pants because the tailor made them a little bit too small, he'll think he's been cooking too much."
Carly pinched her lips together before losing the battle not to laugh. "It's perfect. He's so vain that the thought of having to get a larger size will make him freak. Why'd you do it?"
"Late night drunken rantings to Zander on behalf of you and me," she shrugged. "We started scheming. I never thought he'd actually go to Mr. Jacks, though. I just wish I could have figured out a way to get Lily at the same time. Oh well."
Her friend peered at her for a moment. "You okay? You want to play a game?"
"Nah. I'm not really in the mood for pool anymore."
"Don't let him get to you, sweetie," Carly said, wrapping her arm around Elizabeth's shoulder. "You were doing so good there."
"I know. It was just...it was just like the first time we met. He comes charging over to help and I was so surprised to see him I didn't really give him any lip. Until later," she chuckled. "I didn't even know Courtney was here because he didn't act like it."
"No, he certainly didn't," Carly said. "They walked in and he left her standing by the door the minute he saw the guy hassling you. I think she's going to remember just enough of that before she got drunk and dear old brother won't like Jason ignoring his date because of you."
She sat down at a table and toyed with the base of her drink. "I...I compared him to my family. How he just brushed me off like they did. I-I guess it was silly, but I hoped he'd stand up to Sonny some day, but I guess that's never going to happen."
"I don't think so," her friend agreed sadly. "He's so firmly wedged up Sonny's butt that I don't think even dynamite could get him loose."
"Eww," Elizabeth laughed. "There's a visual I didn't need."
"Sorry," Carly snickered. "So you wanna come over for some food, movies and drinks?"
"Some of us have jobs that start at eight," she said with a shake of her head."
"You're an artist, you make your own hours."
"I was talking about you, Carly," she laughed.
"Oh, right. Remind me again why I took this job?"
"Because you wanted to stick it to Sonny and going to work for Amanda Barrington as the interior decorator of her new office building seemed like a good way to thumb your nose at him."
"Right, right," she nodded. "But why did I agree to eight?"
"That I couldn't tell you," Elizabeth said with a shrug as she stood and grabbed her leather jacket. "Come on. You can come with me while I go get some pastry and coffee to take to Zander's for a study break. You'll be my excuse to leave early since you have to work and you'll keep me from doing something stupid tonight."
"Why would it be stupid to hook up with Zander?" Carly asked in disbelief as they headed into the parking lot.
"Because he's a friend and I'm not about to ruin that for a roll in the hay just because I'm stinging over Jason's rejection of me, again. So don't you dare try and leave me there. I really want to keep things platonic."
"It could be good," Carly tried again. "Friends who sleep together can work."
It could, but she wasn't willing to risk it, and told Carly as such. Her friend accepted it, as opposed to pushing the truth or risk having the conversation turned back on her. Elizabeth wasn't ready to move on from Jason, despite the fact that she should. And Carly, despite all her efforts to get Elizabeth to let her hair down, hadn't even taken her own advice because she hadn't found a man who she couldn't stop comparing to Sonny.
"Can we get jelly filled doughnuts?" Carly asked, as they climbed in Elizabeth's car.
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "You and your jelly filled doughnuts, Carly. Gross."
"I'm buying them," she declared with a stubborn tilt of her jaw. "While you and Zander are eating your sticky buns, I'm eating what I want and I'll enjoy every bite."
"Alright, Carly, whatever you say," she laughed as she stared the car and pulled out into the street. The pain of the encounter at Jake's was fading away as Carly slipped a CD into the player. Though as her friend continued to ramble on about the merits of jelly filled doughnuts and how she didn't understand how Elizabeth didn't like them, she wondered why they even bothered with the radio.
"Alright, Carly, alright," she said in surrender as she turned right at a red. "I give up. I shall never say another word against jelly doughnuts. Please, no more."
"Good," her friend laughed, as she settled back into her seat. "Now we can listen to the radio in peace."
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