Page 16 of The Expiration Date

“You were more than decent, Hales. You were gorgeous. Are gorgeous.”

A wave of heat rises from my toes to my cheeks, exposing my absolute shock at that statement. There’s no way he could truly think so, not after dating Natasha Davis. He is obviously just making me feel better.

“Thank you,” I manage to say. “So, are you dropping me off at the hotel?”

“I wish we could be done for the night. Not quite yet. I won’t hear the end of it from Samantha if I skip the premiere after-party. I mean, unless you’re not up to it. I totally understand if you want to turn in. If I had the choice, I would go back to my apartment and sleep.”

“No it’s okay, Aidan. It’s part of our deal right? How is it going to look if you show up to this after-party alone? The whole point of this is for you to be seen with your girlfriend to get the negative press off your back. I think you would hear more from Samantha about that than if you didn’t show up at all.”

“Yeah, you’re right. That is the whole point.” There is a flicker of sadness in Aidan’s eyes. I can’t help but wonder why he repeated that line back to me. His attention is now on the driver. “Hey, Raul. I’ll AirDrop you the address for this after-party.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Stone.”

After about a ten-minute drive, we arrive at our destination: 48 LOUNGE. Before we walk in, Aidan lingers outside for a moment. “Hales, I promise I’ll stay by your side for the whole time, unless I’m pulled away for a moment. But if that happens, I’ll come find you as soon as I can. Okay?”

“Okay.” I am a strange mix of pure exhaustion and high-strung nerves.

Aidan takes my hand and we walk inside. A bright purple hue illuminates the walls, contrasting with the champagne leather couches and bar stools filling the entire space. The two large chandeliers provide more of a glow than actual light. Everything is dim, romantic even, and I can’t help but be grateful there are no fluorescent lights hanging above us. They would surely highlight all my flaws, especially next to my fake boyfriend.

Rows of champagne flutes wait for us at the bar. Aidan grabs two and hands me one. We clink glasses and each took a sip. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of champagne. Wine, yes–give me all the wine. Maybe it’s the bubbles I don’t like.

“Hey, man!” One of Aidan’s male co-stars comes over to chat.

“Hey Dominic,” Aidan says, bumping his fist. “This is my girlfriend, Haley.”

I put on the biggest smile I can muster, even though I am freaking out internally. I can see the headlines now in my head: Who is this imposter posing as Aidan Stone’s girlfriend? Doesn’t she know that she doesn’t come close to reaching the beauty standard of his ex-girlfriend? Who does she think she is?

Although here at 48 LOUNGE we aren’t inundated with a never-ending line of paparazzi and media, this whole scene seems so much more intimidating. And then she makes her entrance, and I think I know exactly why it begins to feel more claustrophobic.

Natasha Davis looks more stunning than ever. Between the end of the premiere and the after-party, it appears that she’s changed her entire outfit. She is now wearing the shortest cocktail dress I’ve ever seen– it’s practically glued to her body, just like Isaac Sommers, who Natasha left Aidan for six months ago. Maybe I should’ve changed my dress. I can totally see why Aidan was with her. Natasha’s caramel skin and long, sleek dark hair match her equally dark eyes. Her legs are super toned and on full display except for the sliver of fabric covering the uppermost part of her thigh. She looks like a damn siren. Drawing men and women’s attention with her mere presence. How are regular women like me supposed to compete?

Without notice, I feel Aidan’s hand make its way around my waist and pull me in closer. His eyes don’t drift from his male co-star. It’s like he just knew that I was starting to feel insecure. If there is any indication that he registers Natasha’s presence, he hides it masterfully.

You need to play the part, Haley. Hold his hand or something. Act like your life depends on it. I exhale and place my hand on top of his. His gaze finally breaks from Dominic – a handsome man in his own right, I might add, but nowhere near as handsome as Aidan – and he looks at me and smiles. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “You’re doing great, Hales. Don’t worry about anything else in the room. Or anyone else.”

After an hour or so, I’m starting to get more comfortable. Aidan is seriously the life of the party. You would think he was in a fraternity at UConn and not a drama nerd. People are naturally drawn to him, and I can see why. Besides the obvious factor of his looks, it is his genuine character. The way he pays attention fully to the person talking to him. The way he actually laughs when someone says something amusing. The way he just holds space for people. It is really a sight to see. Now I understand why directors want to work with him– it’s not that they’re going to get high box office sales solely based on his sex appeal.

Aidan told me he had to go talk with the director of the film for a second. It’s the first time I’ve been alone all night, but I actually feel remarkably secure. I find an empty seat on one of the many couches and I’m sipping my second drink of the night– white wine this time, not champagne. I usually don’t drink, so unfortunately I am already feeling a little bit of a buzz. Maybe that is the factor calming me down: alcohol. Then a voice sends a shiver down my spine. And not in the way that Aidan’s voice does. A bad shiver.

“Hi. I don’t think we’ve met.”

I turn towards the high-pitched voice and there in front of me stands none other than Natasha. Great. Of course she doesn’t remember me. How could she recognize someone whose daily wardrobe usually consists of Converse, jeans, cardigans and blue light glasses? I am a real Cinderella over here. She doesn’t even have the courtesy to extend her hand out toward me with her introduction.

I stand up from the couch and extend my hand, because my parents raised me to have manners. “Actually, we have. I’m Haley. Haley Swann.”

Her brow wrinkles in confusion. “I totally pride myself on remembering people’s names. I’m sure I would’ve remembered you if we had met before. Haley, is it?”

Is this girl serious? Maybe she didn’t pay attention to Aidan’s lowly assistant who was trying to break up their makeout sessions in order to get Aidan back on his schedule for the day, or the assistant who Aidan had daily rundowns with in his trailer while she was sitting on the couch scrolling through her Instagram and laughing at whatever DM she received.

“Yes. It’s Haley. I was Aidan’s assistant. For about three years?”

“Oh yes! Haley. Wow, you look…” She scans my entire body. I start to hunch over a little, closing in on myself– what I do whenever I feel insecure or less than. I hate being the center of attention or under a microscope in any way. “...different. I didn’t even recognize you.”

Obviously. “Yup.” I sip my drink and catch a glimpse of Aidan across the room. His eyes meet mine and I can see his gaze drift quickly to Natasha and then back to me. His eyebrows furrow slightly. I know how much she hurt him. I was there for the aftermath of their breakup. She wasn’t. Ironically, she is actually the reason I am even standing next to her right now.

Her lips purse at my short answer. I have no intention of giving this woman what she wants: a certain reaction out of me. She wants to catch me off-guard. To make me feel uncomfortable. I am not going to lie, she is succeeding in one aspect: I am definitely becoming uncomfortable in her presence. But no damn way am I letting her know it.

“I’ve never seen you at a premiere before. Aidan must have been desperate for a date to have to take his assistant.”

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