A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(44)

“I never said hot date but the fact you did it means you’re thinking it wouldn’t be that bad.” Dan smiled as he twisted my poorly chosen words to further his agenda.

“Did you hear anything I just said?” I fumed that it seemed to amuse him. I decided to appeal to Troy in the hopes that someone would see reason. “Troy, you guys have a tour coming up. You really want to be looking for a replacement bass player this close to hitting the road?”

“I told him this was a bad idea. I’m just trying to make sure he makes it out of here alive.” Troy smirked, trying to distance himself from the argument.

“Dude, you are supposed to be on my side, I think I’ve got her almost convinced.” Dan snickered, forgetting I could hear him.

“What I’m convinced of is that you have reached a new low and in case I haven’t made myself clear. The answer is no. N-O, NO!” Leaving no more for interpretation, even for Dan.

“Fine be like that! Can you at least try and find me a date? PR me some girl who can play the role?” Dan huffed in frustration, put out by my unwillingness to help him.

“I’m not going to PR you some girl, I’m not a freaking pimp.” I shook my head. Any doubt that I earned every cent of my salary was just blown away by the fact I even had to make that statement.

“I never said hooker, although if you knew a decent one, I guess that would be ok? But what I meant was like a regular girl. Don’t you have friends? Just as long as she’s pretty, I have a reputation to uphold.” Dan spoke with the same detachment that he would while ordering a pizza.

I leapt out of my chair and pushed away from my desk. The air rushed out of my lungs as my hands reached out in front of me.

“Easy Lex!” Troy grabbed me as I lunged for Dan. “Take a breath, he’s an idiot but he’s harmless.” Troy wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me off the floor. He kept me firmly against his body so Dan was slightly out of my grasp. “That’s it, nice deep breaths,” he whispered in my ear before turning to Dan. “Dude, do me a favour and stop talking.”

“Put me down Troy,” I wiggled furiously in his arms. Damn, he was strong. I could feel his arms flex under my struggle yet he showed no signs of discomfort.

“Are you going to hit anyone? ‘Cause I think I’m bound by the Good Samaritan act to stop any unnecessary violence.” Troy laughed as he contained me in a bear hug.

“I’m not going to hit anyone. Put me down.” I demanded, my legs swinging wildly in the air.

“Ok, here we go. Nice and easy.” Troy gently released his grip as he slowly lowered my feet to the floor. “Everyone going to stay calm?”

“Yes, Yes. I’m calm.” I assured Troy as he removed his hands tentatively from my waist.

“So, where do we stand then?” Dan asked, oblivious to the fact that he had been inches away from a black eye. No really, I would have hit him.

“Do we need to go through this all again Dan?” I silently counted to ten, trying to keep a lid on my anger. 1, 2, 3…. Expletive, expletive, expletive.

“No, I know you said you wouldn’t go with me but I still need a date.”

“Look, Dan’s gone about it the complete wrong way but he is right, he can’t go to this wedding alone,” Troy interceded. I wasn’t sure if it was to aid Dan’s case or save him from having to come between Dan and any more of my potential murderous outbursts.

“Finally, you’re playing wingman. Thank freaking Christ!” Dan threw his hands up in the air in relief.

“Dude, seriously. Shut up. You ain’t helping your cause right now.” Troy smacked Dan across the back of the head.

“What’s the big deal, just ignore your family or tell them you aren’t interested.” I smoothed out my dress, before leaning up against my desk.

“You can say that ‘cause you’ve never met my family. They are relentless. I show up without a date and they are going to be screening every single girl from Jersey to Connecticut for potential wife material. It’s easier for everyone involved if I just show up taken.” Dan raked his hands through his hair, he seemed desperate.

Putting aside the fact that it was Dan, I guess I should be thankful he decided to come to me rather than someone else. Previously working in events and public relations I had received some odd requests, usually from prima donna clients who wanted you to jump through hoops, but I guess a date wasn’t such a big deal? Hang on a sec, I couldn’t believe I was actually considering this. Who would I even ask and how could I unwittingly unleash Dan on them? Granted it was a family wedding so I doubted he could get into too much trouble but still, it was risky.

“Alright,” I agreed, already regretting my decision to help him.

“You’re going to go with me?” Dan asked, his eyes brimming with hope.

“No, not me.” I shook my head; there was no way I was going on a date with Dan, no matter what the understanding was, the answer was still no.

“I’ll find someone suitable on the condition you act like a freaking gentleman and don’t try and get into her panties.” Could I really trust Dan? I would have to think long and hard about who I would task with this ridiculous assignment.

“Hey I’ll act like a gentleman but if she wants to let me into her panties, I ain’t saying no.” In true Dan style, he believed that all girls would eventually succumb to his charms and in truth, they usually did.