I straighten in my seat, attaching my seat belt and checking my mirrors before pulling out. The big, goofy grin on my face greets me in the rear mirror, but I don’t even try to wipe it away. I’m happy. Being with Rachel makes me happy.
We’re on the drive back to my condo when the phone rings.Strange. It’s Aubrey, not Chance’s name that pops up on the caller ID. She doesn’t usually call. I hope everything’s okay. “Do you mind if I take this?”
“Not at all.”
I press the button on the steering wheel to connect the call. “Hey, Aubrey. Everything good?”
“Only if you’re still coming tonight.”
Tonight? I rack my brain but come up short.
“You forgot.” She’s annoyed. “He forgot!” She yells but the sound is distant, as if she has the phone away from her face.
“Ha! Told you!” Chance says, his voice muted.
“What did I forget?” I glance at Rachel and wince.
“The fundraiser! You promised. Chance has his art featured, and it benefits my shelter.” She sighs. “Please tell me you’re coming anyway. And bringing a date. I’m not sitting with an empty seat at our table. Do you need me to find you a plus one?”
“No.” The response flies from my lips. I’m not sitting next to anyone besides Rachel. I hope she doesn’t hate me for roping her into this thing.
“No?” Aubrey draws out the word, and I can picture her smile. “Oh! Is this the one? Chance was telling me about your little freeway lo—”
I cut the call short with a flick of my thumb. My cheeks heat with embarrassment. “So, uh, it looks like I’m attending a fundraiser tonight. I forgot—and honestly I’d rather not go.” I sneak a glance at Rachel, relieved to find her smiling. “But that’s not happening. One of my best clients is the organizer. And, well, apparently I agreed to sit with my friends Aubrey and Chance.”
“You have something against fundraisers?”
“Not at all. But I’d rather write a check and be done. Dressing up to socialize amongst California’s movers and shakers isn’t my idea of fun.”
“You don’t enjoy that?” She lifts her brows. “Sorry, it’s just surprising. You seem to know everyone.”
“I’d rather stay home”—with you—“than go to this gala.”
“But you didn’t invite anyone? You were planning to go alone? I find it difficult to believe you have issues finding a date.”
I pull into the parking garage and find my space before answering. Once the engine is cut, and my seat belt’s unbuckled, I shift to give her my full attention. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m kind of a loner.”
She meets my gaze, her stare curious as if weighing the truth of my words. She glances down at the space between us and fiddles with the purse strap in her hands. “Well, I’m sure there’s some woman out there who’d love to be your date.”
Wait.Does she mean—?“Rachel.”
She looks up at me from beneath her lashes. “Yeah?”
“Can I ask a favor?” I lean forward, closing the space between us.
“Anything,” she whispers.
“Would you, maybe,” I scrub a hand over the scruff of my jaw to keep from smiling. God, I’m a selfish bastard for asking her to do this with me, but I won’t go without her. I don’t want to waste another minute of this weekend together. Fuck, I hope I’m not reading this wrong because her rejection will sting. Still, I have to ask. I also have to give her car back after the weekend. As much as I like the idea of her staying longer, I can’t deceive her if I expect anything real to develop. And that’s what I want. Something real. Honest. “Will you be my date tonight?”
“Yes.”
“We only have to stay for a few hours. I just . . . I’d really like you to come.”
“I already said yes.” She grins.
“Do you have something to wear? If not, we can go shopping. My treat.”
“Jude.” She narrows her gaze. “You are not Pretty Woman-ing me. If there’s one thing I have, it’s clothes for any occasion. Is it black tie?”
