Pride & Prejudice
âI uh⌠well you seeâŚâ Luis fretted, his words low and mumbled as he stumbled back a couple steps. He hadnât expected to look her in the eye today, much less have her words sweetly lace their way down his spine. She was only saying hello, but the words bound his knees together tightly, leaving the once confident man feeling boozy as he swayed in place.
âLooking at you through the window is much safer than actually saying words.â Luis stuttered, finding himself nervous as he slicked down the hair at the nape of his neck. âItâs been awhile Fitz. Anâ Iâm sorry. Duty calls anâ all and itâs hard to get by here before you leave with the late hours I keep.â
He hoped his words came out genuine, but they were paper thin as they left his lips; his wavering gaze not helping much in the way of sincerity.
Any other time, she would have found his uncharacteristic loss of words oddly adorable. Now, however, after his obvious absence it only gave her a sense of foreboding that put her on edge.
âYou sound like youâre expecting me to bite, Mr. Romano.â She mused airily. âI wonder what might have given you that impression.â Watching him squirm, she could feel herself begin to simmer, aggravation and indignance in response to his gall and indifference. Looking away, she chewed on her lip for a long moment, her eyes scanning the sidewalk and the regular hustle and bustle about town, no one the wiser that the gangster was breaking this young womanâs heart. As if in response to her moment of weakness, the desire to call him on his horseshit overwhelmed her and she turned her dark gaze back to his.
âI know fibbing is second nature to you, and Iâve never minded that much - youâre well aware that Iâll call you on it either way. But donât come here with that look on our face and expect me to believe you suddenly donât have time for me, Nemo. Donât expect me to play along with that because we both know what it is.â
He hated this. He hated not being able to tell her the truth. To be by her side and not have to worry. To be so fucking concerned for her well being that he knew the best option was the only option.Â
âWhat Edith? What do you think this is?â He squinted at her, his arms crossed as he tried to square off in front of her. She needed to hate him. She didnât want him around. She didnât need him. She was too good for that sort of thing... and any life Luis could ever give her. She needed to stop calling him Nemo.
âI have bills to pay, a family that needs me. Iâm important to them and I donât need to be havinâ all this baggage... all this pressure. I told you from the get go, I ainât no good at this.â
He wanted to run, to get as far away from Edie as he could in that moment. Sheâd never pressured him, sheâd never forced affection down his throat, but it was the only thing he could think of. Itâs the only thing he knew how to do.














