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“This way please.”
What on earth was going on? A car was one thing but an escort?
I gave up on my coat when I entered the warm building and followed the woman through a small corridor then out into the store's main floor. Here, the lights were on, and I realized only the front lights were off to give off the illusion that the place was closed.
Lucas leaned against a glass cabinet, talking in a low voice to the woman on the other side of the counter. She was the same peach and black uniform, and she nodded vigorously as Lucas pointed at a few earrings in the glass case. Walking closer, I glimpsed the beautiful sparkles of diamonds and other gemstones before Lucas caught sight of me and immediately beamed.
What a smile.
“Well, well, well. It’s my runaway date.”
Warmth immediately pulsed across my cheeks and a nervous chuckle escaped me. “I hardly ran away.”
“My dreams of a sweet breakfast, shattered!” He pressed a hand to his chest in faux hurt and the pained look on his face, although fake, was successful in pulling my heart south slightly in guilt.
“Did you cry into your millions?” I replied with a light smile.
“What makes you think I have millions?” Lucas leaned up from the glass case and walked closer. He was dressed more relaxed today in a pair of black jeans that clung tight to his sexy strong thighs and a light blue shirt that was – mostly – buttoned all the way up this time.
“Either rich or the owner, to close a place like this,” I replied, glancing around. The main floor split into several different sections, and from here I could see everything from gorgeous dresses and bags to shoes, more jewelry and makeup, as well as crisp-looking suits and even a bar that definitely didn’t serve coffee.
“Those are your options?” Lucas stooped a foot away, his eyes glittering with the reflection of the bright crystal lights above.
“Is there more?” I asked.
“Nope,” he replied. “I like you, Scarlett. You're honest.”
“You don’t know me,” I pointed out.
“I know enough.” Lucas playfully nudged his elbow against my arm and tilted his head. “Ready to get started?”
“On what, exactly?” I bit back a noise of surprise when the assistant from earlier stepped up and helped me out of my coat.
“Well,” Lucas said, walking toward one of the vast sections containing more exquisite dresses than I had ever seen. “What’s so special about this Gala?”
“Oh.”
Falling into step next to him, I debated quickly whether to tell him the truth. If he knew what I was trying to do, he might find it too creepy and retract his help, but lying wasn’t my strong point.
“Honestly? I’ve never been to anything like it before. It’s in two days, held at the Grand?”
“Ahh, are you interested in the Children’s Charity? Little Angels, right?”
“Yes But no, I mean— there’s someone important attending that I really have to talk to, and it might be my only chance to do so,” I admitted, clasping my hands together in front of my abdomen. “That’s weird, right?”
“Not really.” Lucas chuckled gently. “Parties like that are all about meeting people. Sure, it’s for Charity, but it’s also a feeding ground for leeches. The people that manage to secure invites?—.”
“I’ll need an invite?” I interrupted hastily. “Is that why I’m here?”
“Not quite.” Lucas stopped near four floor-length mirrors that created half an oval.
Standing in front of them, my eyes were drawn to the glittering dresses on the mannequins behind me. Now that I was surrounded by such finery, it hit me that I had nothing to wear to a function this elite.
“I agreed to help you for selfish reasons.” Lucas turned to me, and a puppy-like smile crossed his handsome face. “I need a date.”
My eyes widened. “A date? You don’t look— I mean, you don’t strike me as someone who would struggle in that department. Just open your shirt and go to a bar, right?”
“Indeed,” Lucas laughed. “What I need is a date that I can stand, someone who would make an event like that fun because I need to present someone to my parents.”
