Page 13 of A Billionaire Gentleman

I put my hands over his and danced backward until I was out of his reach.

I could do this.

I could.

I was.

Eight

Deklin

I was going on a date.I’d been home for a week, and I was going on a date.

Aurelia had been surprised when I’d asked her to go out with me tonight, even looking to her dad, but as soon as he’d smiled, she’d accepted. I didn’t know if she wanted to go out with me because she liked me, because she was bored, or because her dad apparently thought it was a good idea, but I figured the worst thing that could happen was that the two of us would find out we annoyed each other and make an early night of it.

I doubted that’d be the case, though. Something about her drew me in, and I thought it was the same for her. The two of us had a connection despite the fact that I wasn’t attracted to her. At least, I didn’t think I was.

What did it say about me that I actually had to think about it?

I shook my head and smoothed out a non-existent wrinkle in my short-sleeved dress shirt. I really needed to stop overthinking things. Aurelia seemed like a nice young woman, and if nothing else, the two of us could use a friend. Most of the friends I’d had growing up here had faded into the lives they were living now. I expected my college friends would go the same way. I didn’t mind, though. I wasn’t really that close to any of them.

I’d always been too busy feeling like I had to prove myself to take the time to make real friends.

Maybe the worst-case scenario here was that I’d end up with a friend.

“You’re wearing that?” Dad’s question was mild, but the look in his eyes was anything but. He’d perfected the art of making more of a single question.

I sighed. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing, Dad?”

“That depends on where you’re taking her.” He leaned back from the table. “That’s hardly the appropriate attire for a five-star restaurant, and I certainly hope that you’re not taking her somewhere less than she deserves.”

“I thought I’d show her around the city, and it’s a bit warm to be in a full suit.”

Dad shrugged, but I knew what he was thinking. He wanted me to impress Aurelia, to show her the elite life that she and her father could expect here. Basically, he wanted me to do things exactly the same way he would have done them. Because that was the best way.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone,” I said. “Have a good night, Dad.”

I could’ve had a driver take us around, but I didn’t want the day to be like that. I wanted us to spend the evening just getting to know each other. It’d be nice to see who Aurelia was when she was away from her father and able to relax. Not that I thought he was hurting her or anything like that. No, I’d been able to see how much he loved his daughter. I just had the impression that she wanted to be perfect for him.

I knew all too well what that was like.

Aurelia was waiting in the lobby of the hotel, looking nervous and timid as she paced by the valet stand. She wore a dress that had been clearly tailored for her, but the style was far too old, too serious. She looked more like she was going to work at some stuffy business rather than going on a date. Even if this wasn’t some sort of exciting romantic thing, I hoped she thought we’d at least have some fun.

“Aurelia, it’s good to see you again.” I smiled at her and held out my hand. I didn’t shake hers this time, just lightly grasped her fingers and squeezed. When she took her hand back, I let it go and gestured for her to come with me.

We were in the car before she spoke.

“This is a nice car.” Her voice was soft but not weak.

“Thanks.” It wasn’t flashy, but it wasn’t exactly a common model either. A couple beats of silence passed before I asked, “Do you like cars?”

Silence.

Yeah, this wasn’t awkward at all…

“I do,” she answered after a long while. The furtive, sideways look she gave me made me wonder if she’d hesitated because liking cars didn’t fit with the image her father had fashioned for her.

“Then, we’ll take a little detour from what I had planned.” I moved over into the next lane. “Houston has an Art Car Museum.”

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