This was the perfect opportunity to ask him some questions.
Taking a deep breath, she thought, Here goes. "Among other things, I'm taking a psychology class right now."
"I love psychology courses. I remember learning more about myself than anything else while there," he replied, and she relaxed.
A soft beard covered his cheeks and chin, and he wore tinted glasses. She wondered why, and thought that would be a good question, but more than a bit rude.
"Yes, I think I've grown over the past four months, though our professor likes to give us assignments that many would consider outside of the box," she said with a slight laugh.
"Ah, I had a few professors like that. What is this man or woman doing to torment you at the moment?"
His easy laughter made Haley feel a bit more comfortable. "I'm supposed to ask questions of strangers," she said nervously.
"Mmm, that sounds interesting."
She couldn't tell whether he would be willing or not, but she had nothing to lose by asking. "Would you mind answering a few for me? Though asking the questions is the entire reason that I'm here tonight, I'd rather die, honestly, than approach people." Her heart pounded as she waited for his response.
"It's never a hardship to speak to a woman as beautiful as you," he suavely replied.
Blushing furiously, Haley pulled out her notepad and a pen. If he thought it strange, he didn't say anything.
She really should have planned better because she didn't have anything written down. She honestly hadn't thought she'd get this far. She'd start off easy, and just ask a few more than the three she was supposed to, then pick and choose what she wrote about in her paper.
"Did you grow up in Seattle?"
"No, I didn't. I was born here, but then my parents moved to the East Coast when I was a young boy. I just recently moved back," he said before asking his own question. "Now it's my turn. Why did it take a college class to get you out here, and why are you all alone?"
Haley was nervous to the point of nausea, but she stifled it and smiled at him. "I don't like public events at all, especially parties like this, though I shouldn't tell you that. I just feel like I'm in far over my head. I'd rather be home in my jammies studying," she answered with a nervous giggle.
"Now you have me intrigued. Tell me more."
"There's not a whole lot to tell. I go to school, work part time, and harass strangers on the side," she tried to joke.
When his lips twitched and a chuckle escaped his mouth, she felt her nausea rise. She couldn't have a sophisticated conversation with a man in a tux. He was so far above her station in life, it wasn't even funny. It didn't matter how much she had in her bank account. That wasn't truly her money; it was an inheritance - and to make it worse, her grandparents were surely rolling over in their graves at the way she was using it. They'd never thought her worthy of going to college, of being anything other than a burden on society.
"Well, we don't want you failing your course, now, do we? Ask me anything else you'd like," he said.
Haley beamed up at him and lifted her notepad back up. "Do you have children?"
A happy smile spread across his features. "Yes. I have five of them, though there are times I want to toss each and every one into the ocean and make them swim back to shore like the Navy Seals do."
"I'm sorry. Are there family problems at home?" Realizing that was far too personal to ask, Haley backed off. When she felt someone was in pain, she wanted to help, since she'd gone through so much of her own trauma, but this man was obviously successful and didn't need her help. "I apologize. That was rude. Please ignore me and let me ask something else."
Before she could say anything further, he cut in. "Yes, there are some problems. My children can be very spoiled. They are doing much better now, but some of us are still struggling a bit. I have faith that it will all work out, however."
"I would have loved having siblings. I really would have loved having a mom and dad. Sometimes we aren't given what we truly want, or think we need most, but I think in the end it all works out for the best," she said while lifting her hand and placing it on his arm in a comforting touch. For just a moment, she forgot this man wouldn't want or need her advice, or her comfort.
"What is your name, young lady?"
"Haley Sutherland." She realized she was gripping his arm and instantly tried to remove her hand.
"What other questions do you have for me," he asked while placing his hand over hers. She relaxed, feeling an odd connection with this gentle man.
"What is the one thing you want more than anything else?"