"I'm not trying to steal your lady," Eric said, a crooked smirk tugging at the left corner of his lips. He let a moment of silence pass and folded his arms. "I've seen the way you look at her, and I'm not interested in coming between that. This would be purely business."
The man stood, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'll make you a deal, kid." I hate myself, he thought, as he continued. "You bring this to her. If I'm making a correct judgement, Hildegarde will take the offer better from you anyway. Take me to see her, and you can explain the plan like it was your own. I don't need her there: I just need someone who can hold her own at a classy affair, so your sniffing around doesn't arouse suspicion."