I knew the way to the art museum with my eyes closed. I loved visiting Jane at her work. The museum was always full of beautiful objects, but the backroom where she worked at restoring priceless artwork was the true treasure trove.

I waved to the security guard and docent who smiled and waved back as I headed to the work area. I slipped through a work door and followed the scent of paint. Jane was at a speckled sink cleaning her brushes.

“Guess who?” I said, stepping out from behind a canvas.

Jane grinned. “Lizzie! What a nice surprise. I was just about to stop for lunch. Want to join me?”

I nodded and came around to stand by the sink as she methodically worked the brushes clean.

“I’d love to,” I told her. “I need a drink.”

She glanced over at me. “What happened in the last two hours that requires a drink?” Concern flickered across her face. “It’s not Lydia, is it?”

“No, no. Lydia’s fine,” I told her. I took a deep breath and stood before her. “I think I like him.”

Jane just frowned. “Like who?”

I hesitated, but Jane was my best friend. If I couldn’t tell her, then I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone.

“Mr. Darcy.”

Jane laughed. “Are you serious?” She laughed some more before looking at my face and seeing that I was. “Oh. My.”

“Yeah.”

She managed to look thoughtful for about two seconds before cracking up. “You can’t be serious, Lizzie,” she said, trying to keep herself composed. “Do I need to send you the video of the two of you arguing? You hate him. You slapped him in the face the first time you met him. You don’t like him.”

“I didn’t say he wasn’t an ass,” I retorted, crossing my arms. I didn’t like her laughing at me. “I said I might love him.”

That sobered her up fast. “Whoa.”

“I mean, like. I meant I like him.” I tried to cover it up, but it was too late. I’d said the L word.

“Oh, nononono,” Jane replied. She wasn’t laughing anymore. “You don’t make a slip like that without meaning it.”

I slumped against the wall. “Then you get my problem.”

“Oh, Lizzie.” Jane sighed and put her brushes away to dry. She picked up a towel and dried her hands. “What are we going to do with you?”

“Buy me a drink?” I offered. “That’s a good thing to do with me.”

Jane chuckled and put her arm around my shoulder. “All right. Come with me.”

Together we walked out of the back area and into the main museum. I loved this place nearly as much as Jane did. There were big windows down the main corridor that let in lots of natural light but kept the paintings out of the sun. Beautiful works of art filled the space, creating a tranquil sea of emotions captured forever.

Jane stopped short, nearly knocking me over in the process. She stood rock still in the middle of the gallery staring straight ahead and going pale. One look at her face told me what she saw, and sure enough, there he was.

Standing in the center of the sunlit gallery was Charles Bingley.

His reddish hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a suit that reminded me of Mr. Darcy’s. He stood strong, but I could see his hands shaking even from this distance. He was staring hard at Jane.

“Jane?” he called out her name. His voice didn’t shake, though.

Jane was as much a statue as any sculpture in the room. I gave her a gentle push on the shoulder to make her take a step forward. She glanced at me, fear in her eyes. I motioned her toward him

“At least hear what he has to say,” I whispered.

She nodded and took a hesitant couple of steps, stopping short of being near him.

“Hello, Charles,” she whispered. I sent as much positive energy her direction as I could.

“Jane, I came to apologize,” Charles announced. He took a step toward her and then hesitated.

“For what?” Jane asked, her voice coming in slightly stronger.

Charles took a deep breath. He looked around the room and then focused on her. His eyes softened, and he smiled. He took another step.

“I’m sorry for ever leaving you,” he told her. He went to one knee and held up a small, black velvet box. Everyone, even me, gasped. “Never leave me again.”

He opened the box and presented it to her. Even from where I was standing, I could see the glimmer of a diamond.

Jane stood there for a moment, then slowly nodded. A combination of a sob and a laugh left her as she flung herself down and into Charles’ arms.

“Yes,” she whispered, still laughing and crying at the same time.

I pulled out my phone and quickly snapped a picture, knowing that Jane would want the memory. It was beautiful. He had her in his arms as they were surrounded by the beautiful works of art they both so loved.

He’d picked the perfect place to propose. This was Jane’s pride and joy. Proposing here demonstrated that he did know her. He loved her. The whole room radiated with their love, and it was more beautiful than the art.

I wiped a tear from my cheek and smiled. I was so incredibly happy for Jane. Something bittersweet tugged on my heart. Mr. Darcy was behind this, too. I knew it. He had told his friend to go back to Jane. He’d admitted he was wrong.

Charles was helping Jane stand. She just held onto him and smiled wider than I’d ever seen her smile before. She radiated such joy, and she wasn’t going to let him go anytime soon.

I looked around, watching the art patrons clap and cheer. A dark figure by the door caught my attention. It was Mr. Darcy. He smiled as he caught my eye before turning and disappearing out into the street.

I went to catch him, to thank him yet again for making the people I cared most about happy, but Jane called my name. I turned to answer, and I knew he was gone. I looked one last time and then headed over to congratulate Jane and Charles on their soon to be happily ever after.