Falling in love with Ms. Bennet

Chapter 26

"So, is your mom coming?" Gorgy asked Amanda, opening her fridge at the same time.

"Nope. She's in Barcelona with her new husband." Amanda replied, eyes on her laptop, working.

"Another honeymoon? How many times was it? Three times?"

"Five. That's why she keeps bugging me to get married already." 

Gorgy sat beside her. "Well, isn't it about time?"

Amanda stopped to look at Gorgy. "About what?"

Gorgy carefully chose his words. He knows Amanda doesn't like talking about marriage. "To..have..somebody...by your..side. For better or for worse. Till..death..do you two apart."

"Marriage is not a requirement in this world." Amanda stated.

"I know. I know. I heard you saying that a lot. But, don't you want to feel the things that you, yourself write in your books?"

Amanda went silent. "That's not for me."

"What? That is ridiculous. Everybody deserves to have their own love story. Even gays like me. It's wonderful."

"I know love is wonderful but, I don't see myself being with someone." Amanda remembered this conversation weeks ago.

"You know what-" Gorgy stood up, " change your plans tonight. We are going out."

"What? No way."

"I won't take no for an answer. You, me and Gillian, out bar hopping and meeting cute guys for you."

"You know I hate blind dates and meet ups."

"We'll pick random strangers. It'll be fun."

"Why are we doing this?"

"Because, my dear, it's your birthday."

December 5. The calendar says.  Henry thought. He was alone in his penthouse. And for the first time there were no parties, no drinks, no ladies; he simply was not in the mood.

"Hey, you're here." James went inside, surprise to see Henry on his kitchen table, staring at nothing, face troubled. "No plans?"

"Yeah. You're here."

"I have the scheduled photo shoots for this month and have to leave some stuff from your fans."

"Cancel them. I'm not in the mood."

"I can't. You know that."

"Of course you can. You're awesome."

James chuckled then stopped. "That was nice but no. What's up with you today?"

"Nothing." Henry shrugged.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I got you something that you might get interested."

"Really?" Henry asked, straightening up.

"It would excite you."

"Reeaally.."

"Yeah. It would really really-"

"Just tell me." Henry snapped.

James gave a chuckle. "It's Amanda Adams' birthday today."

Amanda Adams. Henry felt a tingle in his body,but shook it all off. "Really? Didn't know. Didn't care." Of course he knew it was Amanda Adam's birthday. And of course, he does care. 

"Oh? Thought that would peak your interest."

"Nope. Not anymore."

James looked at Henry, angling his headto the side, in the midst of  mild confusion and was then amused. "Ohhh...what's this? The all mighty Henry Hudson has given up the challenge against bookworm author Amanda Adams?" He finished it with a very loud laugh. Henry could sat in his sofa, a hand on his right cheek, annoyed.