Page 50 of Up All Night

“No,” he called after me. “You just hate it when I’m right.”

I ignored him and walked out the door and up the stairs.

I did hate when he was right, but I really hated how he was right about what I should do right now in this situation.

Knocking on Halle’s door, I took in a big breath and pushed back my shoulders, trying to calm myself down. I would need to appear relaxed and nonchalant about her being my date if I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this.

The door opened, and Halle stood there in workout clothes, her hair in a ponytail. She must have recently gotten home from work like me. I still wore my button up shirt, tie, and slacks I’d worn to work, but I’d left my jacket behind.

A look of surprise flitted across her face before she smiled. “Hey, West.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets, not sure what to do with them. “Hey, how are you?”

“Good. Just eating some dinner, but what can I do for you?” she asked. “Is the smell of my lasagna bugging you?” she teased.

I chuckled. “No, no. I actually just stopped by to ask you something.”

“Oh, uh, okay.” Her expression turned curious. “Did you want to come in?”

Did I want to go in? Or was this more of a doorstep conversation? I needed to make a decision quickly, or I’d make things awkward.

“Um, no. I don’t want to interrupt your dinner more than I already have. I can try to make this quick,” I said, working to not stumble over my words. Before I could back out and run down the stairs, I jumped into what I came here to say. “So my work is throwing this charity gala event this weekend, Saturday night, and everyone is going with someone. I was planning on going by myself, but my father insisted I bring a plus one to help our clients see that I’m a serious career man, because for some reason a single guy can’t be taken seriously in the business world. I don’t really have many friends who are girls that I could ask, and I’m not dating anyone at the moment. You and I have started to get along, and I figured I could possibly see if you wouldn’t mind going with me to appease my father and whoever else needs to see that I’m a competent venture capitalist.”

After my ridiculously long rambling, she smiled, looking amused. “So you’re asking me to be your date?”

I had specifically avoided the word ‘date’ while I’d been explaining things in an effort to downplay how I did indeed need her to be my date.

“Yes, but it wouldn’t be like arealdate, you’d just be helping me out, like a favor.”

She searched my face for several seconds, and I was worried she was going to shut the door, leaving me out in the cold. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“Let me get this straight,” she said, looking as if she was almost enjoying seeing me flounder. “You don’t want me to be your date, but you need me to be your date.”

I cringed at her explanation. “Uh, yeah, kind of.” I tried not to come off as a jerk, but I wasn’t sure I was succeeding. “Not that you’re not great and all, but I’m not looking for any type of relationship right now. I just need someone to attend this event with me and thought you might be willing to help me out.”

More seconds ticked by as I anxiously waited for her answer.

“Okay,” she finally said. “I’ll be your not-date date.”

I let out a breath. “Thank you so much. I know spending time with your self-centered neighbor and going to a stuffy gala is not how you probably want to spend your Saturday night, but you’re saving me, and I really appreciate it.”

“Will I at least get some fancy meal out of it?” she asked, a glint of humor in her eyes.

“The food will be amazing, so that will hopefully make it bearable.” I smiled. “Oh, and I’ll pay for your dress.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out my wallet. “It’s a fancy formal event, and I don’t want you to have to spend your own money when you’re doing me a favor.” I held out one of my credit cards to her.

She took my card and looked down at it. “I feel like I’m in the moviePretty Woman.” Then she smiled up at me. “Except for the whole sex thing.”

I laughed, grateful she was taking this so well. “There will definitely not be any of that.”

“What’s my budget?” she asked.

“No budget. Buy whatever dress you like.”

Her brows rose almost to her hairline. “No budget? You can’t be serious.”

I was dead serious. I wanted her to feel comfortable and like she fit in at the event, which meant buying a dress she loved.

“I’m very serious.”

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