My faced burned bright red throughout the class as Alex kept reminding me of our date. I didn’t know why he kept bringing it up. I was terrified that he would continue to hint at the interaction until he went ahead and announced my name and my crime to the class. I felt sick and wanted to leave class, but part of our grade was based on attendance, so I couldn’t really skip. Plus, I didn’t want him to have the satisfaction of getting to me.

I hated how he stood at the front of the class, so cocky all of the time. He had a way of capturing the attention of the whole class, even though half of the stuff he was saying were brags about his career. He irritated me to no end. But, I couldn’t help but be attracted to him. That infuriated me the most.

When we split up into small groups, I thought that I would be able to escape his thinly-veiled comments about me. I was wrong. I swore that he waited until I spoke within my group to pop in and tell me how wrong I was. I sat quietly for the rest of the class, worried that he was going to shoot down my ideas. For someone who frequently raised their hand, it was hard not to participate in the discussion. But, I knew that whatever I said, it would be turned against me, and the class would eat it up. I was stuck.

I couldn’t go on like this. Along with a teensy pang of guilt for reacting so harshly, I just wanted to clear the air and make all of the negativity surrounding us go away. I didn’t want Alex to be upset with me, or even have anything to hold over me until I graduated from his course. And, even though it meant working with Alex, I still coveted that internship at his company. It would really change everything for me. I still planned on competing for the winning essay, though I knew he would probably choose someone else out of spite.

Taking a deep breath, I approached him after my classmates left the room. Everything in my body was telling me to file out after them, but I needed to be the bigger person. He couldn’t win this one.

“Can we talk?” I asked.

He gave me a smirk. “I’m leaving in about a minute. Make it quick.”

I took a deep breath and started spilling. “I’m sorry about what happened at the bar. It was immature of me to react that way. I was hurt by some of the things you said to me, and reacted childishly. It was not how a professor and student should act. I understand that you may not want to give me the internship now, and that’s completely warranted. However, if possible, I would still like to be considered for that spot. I think I would be a good team player and would benefit your company. At the very least, I ask that we just forget about that night.”

He blinked a few times. “Team player, eh? What do you think about going to that benefit dinner?”

“Tonight?” I asked blankly.

“Oh, sorry, do you have too much homework tonight?”

I sighed. “What do you want from me?”

He chuckled. “Well, I wanted someone to play the role of my girlfriend for a few hours. I mean, I’m not going to force you to participate in any other girlfriend activities, other than stand by my side and pretend to like me. I can pick you up before the event and drop you off immediately afterwards. I can promise that there will be no funny business if you don’t want any. Conversely, I am supplied to provide you with plenty of funny business if you so desire.”

I gave him a blank stare.

“I’m kidding, okay?” he said. “Sheesh!”

“Why are you still hung up on me? I thought you would have found a replacement in no time. Did all of the other girls reject you already?” I asked, a spark in my voice.

He tried to hide a smile. I don’t think he was used to being challenged like this. He pulled out his phone and held the screen so I could see it. Silently, he scrolled through a long list of contacts in his phone. When he was finished, he turned if off and slipped it into his pocket.

“That was just the list of available women,” he said. “I could call any one of them and they would gladly accompany me.”

“Then why don’t you?” I asked, absolutely confused as to why we were still discussing this. “Why must you torment me when you don’t have to?”

He gave me a curious look, as if he were trying to read my mind. It was both uncomfortable and utterly sexy at the same time.

“I think you’re not as smooth as you lead on,” I said, trying to find my voice. “I think you’re close to the deadline and you’re getting desperate. You might know a lot of girls and have their phone numbers, but you’ve messed around with their heads and now they’re tired of playing your games.”

“Maybe you should have been a Psychology major,” he chuckled. “You obviously think you know what my motivations are.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Tell me where I’m wrong.”

He pursed his lips for a moment. “You’re right about me sweating this deadline. I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare.”

“And the girls?”

“I’ve pissed one off.” He grinned. “I don’t think it’s accurate to say the others would turn me down because I’ve offended them somehow.”

“What happens if you go to the event alone?” I asked. “Am I going to ruin your career when I say no? I mean, it’s not like I owe you anything, but I’m not a heartless monster.”

“I’ll still go to the event. I’ll still talk to the right people and make the right impressions. In the grand scheme of things, it probably won’t matter that much.”

“Then why bother in the first place?”

He thought for a minute. “You’ll understand these things if you ever make it in the finance world. Let’s say you’re going to an engagement party for a friend. There will only be other couples there. You’re the only single person who shows up. How’s that going to end for you?”

I shrugged. “It might be a little awkward, I guess.”

“Yeah, and while all of the other couples are talking about couple stuff, you’re in the corner, stuffing your face with cocktail shrimps, getting blasted on whatever signature cocktail is being served. These things are much more enjoyable if you have a buffer. The spouses of my clients don’t really give a shit about our shop talk and will think I’m just after their money if there’s not a woman around to prove that I’m not a monster.”

“How does that prove you’re not a monster?”

“You have the aura of a person who can be trusted. I’m sure most people feel comfortable around you. You’re easy enough to talk to. Well, maybe to other people. Having you there would be of some help.”

“But it’s not absolutely necessary.”

“No, but how many things are absolutely necessary?” he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “So, do I need to arrange for a quick dress fitting before tonight?”

I actually thought about it for a second. It still sounded like a great opportunity, but something didn’t feel quite right. I had gone out of my way to challenge him and even ended up insulting his prowess with women, when I really meant to apologize to him for the drink debacle. I couldn’t possibly agree to go now. I felt like I had something to prove, no matter how badly I wanted to wear a designer gown and talk with some of the brightest minds in the business. If it were with anyone but Alex Rye, I would say yes in a heartbeat. But, this man was my foil, and I could not submit to his will.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. Thanks for the offer, though.”

“But it could be fun,” he said at a last ditch attempt at wooing me.

“But I don’t have to.”

He shrugged. “I guess you’re right.”

With my answer secured, I started walking toward the door. I stopped a few steps short of the doorway and turned around to face Alex.

“Is everything okay now? Do you accept my apology?”

He pursed his lips together, then broke out into a smirk.

“I don’t have to.”