Andy took out a piece of paper and fanned himself. The July weather was hot, and the heat between him and Erin was even hotter.
"Did you have an eventful Fourth of July weekend? Andy asked Erin on the elavator.
"It's not last weekend that's eventful, it's next weekend." Erin said, with a hint of bitterness.
"What's next weekend?" Andy said, confused. "My only plans were to see that new Harry Potter movie coming out."
Erin laughed. "Trust me. I rather go see it with you. I'm stuck going to a wedding."
"Erin, I'm flattered that you'd rather see a movie with me, but why would anyone rather be stuck in a dark room full of Harry Potter freaks screaming 'Dumbledore dies!' instead of having fun at a wedding?" Andy asked curoisuly.
"Dumbledore dies?" Erin gasped, wide eyed.
"I'm sorry, I thought you knew! I thought everyone knew!" Andy apoligized.
"Nah, it's okay., But to answer your question, the problem is I don't have a date." Andy's heart almost jumped out of his chest. Erin didn't have a date for the wedding she was attending?! And she was telling him! Did that mean she wanted him to ask to be her date?
"Well, you're older than me, right?" Erin asked.
"Give or take eight years." Andy joked. Yes, there was a slight age difference. He had counted, many times.
"Do you remember when you were around my age, like, late twenties, early thirties, when all your friends were getting married?" Erin questioned.
Andy thought for a moment. Yes, of course he remembered that time. It wasn't always fun when you attended so many weddings and you were still single.
"Well, that stage is starting for me. I have a friend who's engaged, a friend getting married next week, I've attended two weddings the past two months, and Jim and Pam's is in October!" Erin fretted.
"And your complaining about being popular?" Andy teased.
"No, it's just, I go to all these weddings, and, well, I'm single. And I'm looked down upon by my friends because their getting married or they have serious boyfriends or what not. Then I come to these weddings alone, and when it's time to go to the dance floor I'm stuck dancing with Great Uncle Archie." She complained. "It makes me wonder if I should just pay an eligable bacholor to be my date. He wouldn't have to do anything, just pretend to date me for the night. It sounds desparate, I know, and I sound like a total mess telling you this, but, I'm so sick of being single, so sick of watching all my friends get married and me not being able to even hold down a boyfriend, and so sick of being looked down upon by my lovestuck friends. Yeah, this is such a good elevator conversation, Erin. I'm sorry I'm putting on this on you, but, I dunno, you're just easy to talk to, Andy."
"Oh, no it's fine. Totally fine. Actually, I was in the same boat. Do you mind if I give you some advice?" Andy said.
"By all means." Erin said.
"I have this cousin named Johnny. Johnny and I are the same age, and have always been kind of competive with each other. And you can guess, Johnny always came out the winner. When we got older, the compitition turned from who could run the fastest to who dated the prettiest girls. And when we got really older, it was who brought the prettiest and nicest girls to holidays as their serious girlfriend. And ever time, Johnny would come with some of the most beautiful girls I had ever met, and I would come alone. Well, one Thanksgiving, it really bugged me, so I met this gorgeous girl on the street and told her I would pay her to pretend to date me. She agreed, and came to Thanksgiving dinner with me."
"And?"
"Guess who Johnny's wife is." Andy said bitterly. Erin could help it. She burst out laughing. She tried to stop, but was doubled over in laughter. Andy didn't mind. He liked watching her laugh, and her laugh sounded so pretty.
"I'm...sorry." She sputtered through her laughter. "It's not funny."
"It kinda is." Andy said.
"Okay, it is." She confessed, and they both burst into laughter.
"So, anyway," Andy began once they had calmed down. "Johnny married the girl I found, and they have two beautiful boys. Which means, by lying to impress others, I made things worse for myself, because it's not like I can hire two little boys to play my sons for the , in summary, don't hire a guy. Lying's not the way out. You'll find someone, Erin. It takes time. And trust me, you'll find someone. You're great, and any guy would be lucky to have you."
Erin smiled before hugging him. "You'll find someone too, Andy. You're great."
Then, the elevator opened, ad the two parted. "After you, my lady." Andy said in his British accent.
"Why thank you, Andrew." Erin replied in her British accent.
Maybe he shouldn't have told the story of cousin Johnny. Andy thought. Maybe, if he had kept his mouth shut, Erin would have asked him to pretend to be her date. He would say he would go, refuse the money, pretend to be her boyfriend, and by the end of the night they would actually be together. But he just HAD to give advice.
Before the elevator ride, Erin had a different outlook on the whole senerio. And, actually, she had considered asking Andy to be her date. He was a friend, and she felt comforable doing so. Andy was always that cute guy who'd she go out with if he asked, but wouldn't wait around for him. But, after that conversation, she felt comfortable going alone. Andy had gained her confidence. Also, there was the fact that after hearing the story about cousin Johnny, there was something she couldn't explain, but...she just didn't want to share Andy with her friends. She didn't want any of them to pull a Johnny and steal Andy from her. Yes, they weren't dating, she couldn't explain it, but there was just something about him that she didn't want to share. So, she'd being flying solo.