Chapter 5: Luke

It was getting close to midnight, and it felt like the longest day of my life. I called Craig, my driver, and told him to get my laptop and jacket from Corey. I had to, or I would forget about it and feel even worse about not hitting my target for Monday morning.

There was just one issue—my date. I had to figure out a way to get rid of her without being the bad guy, the guy who threw her out onto the street.

April walked into the dining room, where I was waiting for her. Elisa managed to get her a couple of outfits, and she looked like she was feeling better after the much-needed shower. I definitely was feeling better now that I had my usual collection of Thai dishes in front of me.

“Sit,” I instructed as she hovered by the table. “Elisa ordered two of everything. I wasn’t sure if you were allergic or didn’t eat meat or anything like that.”

April smiled. “No, I eat everything. It looks good. And no worries about allergies because I have none.”

Elisa walked in and then straight back out again. She wanted to say something, but then the appearance of April made her change her mind. Part of me wanted to find out what was going on, but it was late, and I had to catch some rest before Craig showed up tomorrow morning.

“Tonight has been pretty bad, but I’m tired and really hungry,” I said. “So dig in before it gets cold.”

She smiled as I passed her the rice, and didn’t hesitate in filling up her plate. I couldn’t eat much, even though I was tempted to. Otherwise, I wouldn’t sleep at all. She devoured all the food on her plate. I was still on my first serving when she filled it up again. Either she was hibernating and storing up for winter or she hadn’t eaten for a while.

Either way, I didn’t know what to make of her. I could see why Hayley thought I would be attracted to her, with her dark hair with blonde highlights, and dark eyes. She had strong features, the type that would easily catch a wandering eye, and seeing her in the black dress Elisa had picked out for her made her look like the date I imagined would show up at the restaurant. Not the T-shirted girl who turned up looking as if she was getting ready for her shift at the local store.

“I need to slow down,” she said as she looked up.

“Sorry, it’s just I haven’t eaten all day.”

“Not all week?” I laughed as she piled on more food onto her plate once again.

She hesitated and put the plate back down, thinking I had corrected her on her eating habits.

“It’s just most women I know don’t like to eat so much in front of men. Or maybe it’s not just in front of men, maybe it’s in general. They’re old-fashioned, I suppose, but not you.”

“Not me.” She smiled falsely as she put her cutlery down and wiped the side of her mouth with her napkin.

I had touched a nerve. I could apologize, but politeness wasn’t something handed on a plate, especially one she’d managed to empty so many times like a garbage disposal.

“I’m done, and it’s late,” I said as the shots of bourbon I had downed earlier started to take effect.

“It is late, and I’m so grateful for all you’ve done,” she said as I stood. “I really appreciate it. I mean, I suppose neither of us expected our date to end up like this.”

I nodded my head, waiting for her to get to the point. I could tell she wanted to ask me for something else. What was it? Money?

“Luke, do you mind if I can ask one last favor, please? And then you’ll never see me again.” Her gaze dropped to the table.

I crossed my arms. “Go on.”

She slowly lifted her head and asked, “Do you mind if I stay here until I find somewhere to go tomorrow?”

She avoided looking into my eyes, and I realized she was dead serious. She really was homeless.

“Fine.”

“Oh, and one more thing?”

Definitely money!

“Can I borrow a computer or something to search for somewhere? My phone’s broken.”

“Of course.”

I waited before leaving, waiting for her to ask one more thing. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Strange.

“Don’t worry, I’ll clean up,” she smiled at me as if I was worried about such a thing.

“Good. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, have sweet dreams. Once again, thanks for letting me stay.”

I didn’t say a word as I left, thinking that this was the strangest date I’d ever been on. She was homeless, sweet, and wished me pleasant dreams.

Poor thing didn’t realize I’d stopped having those a long time ago.