The night of the gala, I was a nervous wreck. Which I had every right to be considering a grand night out for me was walking down the street to pick-up my Chinese take out food. Not a soiree filled with wall to wall famous people and their entourages. Mia, as per usual, had played stylist on me. The perks of rooming with a beautician. However, after about the 5th narrow miss with a curling iron against my face, she eagerly booted me from the bathroom when she'd finished. I have patience in many areas of life, but not hair and make-up.

While she finished getting ready, I stood in front of the full length mirror that hung from the back of my bedroom door. I smoothed the pleats in my skirt over and over again, chewing the inside of my cheek as I studied my reflection. Outside of the bright lights of the department store, and without the full effect of a huge mirror, I actually felt more comfortable in the dress. I took a deep breath let it out slowly, remembering what Mia had said. It was once in a blue moon that fancy dresses like this one were an option. So I might as well enjoy it before it went back into the closet for an unforeseeable amount of time. Besides, I did like the color.

As promised, I snapped a photo to send to my mom and sister before skipping into the kitchen to slip on my heels, feeling very much like Cinderella on her way to the ball. Though unlike Cinderella, I planned to be home and in pajamas long before midnight struck. Preferably with a box of pizza.

Mia waltzed into the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear and looking pretty in pink. We grinned at each other, and I felt a rush of excitement. I was wearing a pretty dress, I was with Mia, and we were going out for a night in New York City. I held onto that feeling as we hailed a cab and rode downtown.

My nerves slowly came back, though, as we pulled up in front of a huge shiny skyscraper. All around us, women in ball gowns and men in sharp suits were climbing out of cabs, or handing off the keys to their fancy cars to valet drivers. I swore I saw Meryl Streep but was too nervous to get Mia's attention.

"Relax, Stella. We go in, we drink, we schmooze, we go home. No red wine this time." Mia smirked at me, linking her arm with mine.

"No red wine." I agreed, hoping the actress who'd been the unfortunate victim of my wine spill during the last time I'd tagged along with Mia would be absent.

I concentrated on not falling on my face as we headed up the steps and into the building. It was an entirely different world, which made me even more aware of the fact that I was merely a visitor. Tables draped with deep purple and gold linens lined the walls of the room, all centered around a gleaming wooden dance floor that was currently empty. People milled about in small groups, laughing and chatting.

"There's my boss. Come on." Mia said suddenly, dragging me in the direction of the bar which I was more than happy to be headed towards.

I felt like my neck would be sore the next day, from all the looking around I was doing. My heart skidded to a halt in my chest every time I saw someone I recognized from TV or movies, making a constant effort to keep my jaw from falling to the floor. Mia looked unaffected, but I forgot all the time that was in contact with these sort of people every single day. She was the one who made them look so fantastic. I tried to imagine someone like Jennifer Aniston sitting down in a stylist chair and expecting me to cut her hair. I probably would've passed out and lost my job, and that was the best case scenario.

"Mia! Stella!" Rena, Mia's boss, beamed at us. Her cheeks were flushed pink from excitement, or maybe from the glass of chardonnay she held in her hand. "Get yourselves a drink! I saved us a table nearby." She flicked her dark hair over her shoulder, pointing to one of the draped tables. For a women of almost fifty, I was always in awe of how gorgeous Rena was. But I supposed you had to be in order to run a salon in downtown New York City.

"You can stay here, I'll get in line." I offered to Mia. She started to protest and I shook my head. "It'll give me something to do besides gawk at everyone."

Leaving Mia and Rena, I moved myself to the end of the line and spent the duration of my ten minute wait wondering if the person in front of me was Adele or someone with a very similar beehive like hairstyle.

When it was my turn, I leaned up against the polished wooden bar. The bartender, an older man with greying hair and a matching mustache, looked at me expectantly.

"Two glasses of white wine please. Pinot grigio if you have it."

He nodded and turned, grabbing two wine glasses from the rack behind him. I drummed my fingers against the countertop as I waited, trying to make sense of the colorful mural on the wall behind him. After just a few seconds of waiting, the bartender returned with two very full glasses of wine.

I raised my eyebrows. "That's a very generous pour."

He shrugged his shoulders and gave me a small small. "You look like you need it."

I smiled. "Appreciate it."

I grabbed a glass in each hand and turned, ready to make my way back to Mia. My eyes roamed the room as I walked, unable to stop myself from staring just a little. I brought one of the wine glasses to my lips and took a sip.

I immediately choked on it, though, as I caught sight of a familiar lanky figure with auburn hair and a smile that would make anyone in their right mind weak in the knees. Of course it was him, why wouldn't it be. Tom Hiddleston.

I wiped my chin and realized a man nearby was staring at me. I muttered an apology as I ducked my head and scurried back towards Mia, realizing a moment too late that Ryan Seacrest had just watched me drool wine on myself.

"Here." I shoved the wine glass towards Mia and she raised her eyebrows.

"What's got you all in a fluster?"

I shook my head, taking another gulp of my wine. I had my back turned to the rest of the room, not exactly sure why I didn't want him to see me.

"Is it Beyonce?"

I shook my head, taking another drink.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously and surveyed the room. I waited for her to see him, knowing without a doubt that she'd put two and two together fast. And sure enough, her lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Oh!" She said, and her tone immediately had me digging my heels into the ground. "We should go say hello."

She grabbed my hand and I shook her off. "No, no, no. Absolutely not."

"Why? You shared a cab, you're practically friends." She insisted.

I snorted with laughter. "Let's not be delusional. We're just two strangers in the midst of New York City who happened to run into each other. Twice."

Mia placed one hand on her hip, surveying me over the rim of her wine glass as she took a sip.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't look at me like that. Let's just, you know, go about our evening and not make a big deal of this."

She shrugged her shoulders, looking unconvinced. "Okay." She said too easily.

"I'm serious, Mia. This is not the time to play celebrity matchmaker."

"Understood." She said, giving me a sweet smile.

Not entirely convinced, I took another sip of wine in an attempt to calm my racing nerves. I had no idea why just the sight of him elicited that much of a response from me. Sure, he was good looking but I knew next to nothing about him. A memory of us sitting side by side in the cramped backseat of the cab, his blue eyes watching me with interest, pushed its way to the front of my mind and I fended it off. No, I wasn't one of those girls, I reminded myself.

#

I finished my first glass of wine a lot faster than I'd meant to and quickly grabbed a second. It didn't make me any less aware, though. I had to mentally kick myself half a dozen times after realizing I was scoping the room only because I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Tom. I was too aware of him and it was making me a little crazy.

Halfway through the night, feeling pleasantly buzzed, my stomach began to growl. I scoped out the appetizer table only to turn away with a frown when I couldn't pronounce half the items being served. I found Mia again, who was deep in conversation with someone about the best way to cut a bob or something blah blah and hovered awkwardly next to her before deciding to get some air.

A set of french doors on one side of the room led outdoors to a huge patio. I pushed my way out into the cool air, glancing around and glad to se the outside area mostly empty except for a few people smoking cigarettes. I moved to the railing, half empty wine glass in hand. We were only a story above the ground, but the city at night time was impressive no matter where you were.

I hadn't been there long when he appeared next to me, his accent more inviting than I wanted it to be. "Hiding?"

My stomach tumbled as I tried to steady my pulse which had sped up the second he'd appeared. I glanced up at him and my mind was wiped blank. It was all I could do not to stare. Damn, could the man wear a suit. He was smiling at me in that crinkly eyed way, hands in the front pockets of his slacks.

"Just needed some air." I answered.

"I can't blame you. These things tend to get a little crowded, don't they?" He said in cheerful agreement, glancing at the glass paneled doors behind us. I watched him, entirely certain I had never been so attracted to another human being in my life. It scared the hell out of me.

He turned back around and smiled softly at me. "So, the other day I shared a cab ride with the most adorable girl…who also turned me down when I asked her out. Imagine my surprise when I see her standing across the room just now. Looking gorgeous in a green dress. What are the chances, eh?" His blue eyes danced.

There was an eruption of butterflies in my stomach, battering to get out. "About one in a million, I'd say." I attempted a smile, feeling uncharacteristically shy in his presence.

"Must be very lucky then." He shrugged, his own smile growing.

"Must be." I took a sip of wine, draining the glass. Thank god for alcohol during times like these…when a beautiful British actor was flirting with you.

"So what brings you here anyways?"

"My roommate, Mia. Her boss owns a fancy salon and invites her every year. Her boyfriend's out of town, so I'm the plus-one." I explained. "And feeling very much like a fish out of water."

"Well, if it's any consolation you seem very calm. And you look stunning." He said and my cheeks flushed as his eyes flickered from the dress and back to meet my eyes. "The first time I found myself in a room with this many people, I about passed out."

I laughed. "For some reason I don't believe that."

"It's true." He said earnestly. "I wobbled around the room. Took about two whiskeys before I felt alright."

I grinned. "I take it you outgrew it? Or are you already two whiskeys in?"

I was entirely too pleased with myself when I made him laugh. "Outgrew it. Although that isn't to say I might need one before the night is through."

I tapped my empty glass of wine. "I might need a dozen more of these." The thought of going back inside was unappetizing, although there was a part of me that didn't see the need to go anywhere at all.

Tom suddenly paused, looking thoughtful. "I think I have a better idea."

I raised my eyebrows curiously but he was already speaking.

"You wanna bail?" He suddenly asked, giving me a lopsided grin.

"What? You mean leave?" I asked in surprise, glancing behind us at the room full of people. "Is that allowed?"

Tom shrugged. "Why not? You're uncomfortable, right? And to be honest, I could do with something to eat."

He was looking at me hopefully and I was trying not to give too much of my thought process away. It was tempting, but then I'd also be a hypocrite. The last time we met, I had made it clear: no actors or famous people.

He must've sensed my apprehension because he let out a laugh. "Stella, I'm not suggesting you come home with me. Just a change of scenery and maybe something to eat besides trays of fancy cheeses with names I can't pronounce."

I chewed my lower lip as I met his eyes. He seemed sincere enough, blue eyes honest but still playful. I let out a sigh of defeat. Oh hell, why not. "Fine, as long as it's okay with Mia."

"Leave it to me." He grinned, suddenly reaching for my hand and lacing his fingers through mine. I tried not to react to his touch, but the zap of electricity was impossible to ignore. If Tom had felt it too, he wasn't showing it as he tugged me through the crowd of people on his hunt for Mia. Finally, I spotted her near the bar. I pointed her out and we abruptly changed directions.

Mia's eyebrows shot up, glancing at our joined hands as her lips curved into a smirk. My cheeks flushed as I untwisted my hand from his grasp. I wanted to tell her it wasn't what it looked like and wipe that shit eating smile off her face.

"I wanted to borrow you friend for a little while, but was told I need your permission first." Tom was saying, eyes dancing with amusement.

Mie pretended to look thoughtful, wine glass in hand. "Hm…that depends. How wholesome are your intentions?"

As if I wasn't already red enough.

"Entirely." He answered easily. "Maybe some food, maybe a walk through Central Park. Stella's made it clear I'm not her type, although I'm still hoping I can change her mind." He was smiling, and I was feeling equal parts mortified and thrilled. Was I fighting a losing battle here?

"In the case, I hope your relentless as hell or it'll never work." Mia smirked. "See you later?" The look on her face suggested she was giving me an out, just in case this wasn't what I wanted. The problem, though, was exactly the opposite. I did want to leave with Tom.

"Don't wait up." I said with a tentative smile.

"Oh, don't you worry about me. Have fun!" She said in a sing song voice.

I felt Tom's hand on the small of my back as he gently steered me out of the party and into the cool night air. I shivered, and Tom was immediately shrugging off his jacket. I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already draping it over my shoulders.

"You're cold. Don't argue, just say thank you."

"Thanks." I said grudgingly, slipping my arms through the sleeve of the jacket. It was way too big and Tom let out a laugh, quickly coming to my aid and rolling up the sleeves just enough for my hands to peek through the ends.

"You look adorable." He quirked a smile.

I rolled my eyes. "I look like a hobbit. Where are we getting food?"

"Luckily for you, I know the best place in New York for food at this hour." He said confidently. Then, he linked my arm through his and the next thing I knew, I was strolling down the sidewalk in a daze having just bailed a very fancy party with a gorgeous man and for the life of me, I couldn't remember how my life had led me to this moment.