Eww, Mayson sounds like a real charm. And she's a reporter, too? Say, is the Preston Carpenter of this alt-world named Lex?
"Only after I got far more brutally honest than I was comfortable with,"
So, did it go something like this: "I would love to have dinner with you. It's just, I need to return a book tonight. So, rain check?"

Or maybe: "I'm not sure I'm the man for you. You see, Ralph over there-" "What? Are you suggesting that I and Ralph...?" "No, no, Mayson. It's just... Did you notice his bald spot. They say, men with a bald spot are particularly... Well, I really hope that he and I..."
The whole club-situation is dizzying. And sounds really weird, for it to happen this late in the game. And how can someone order a club to relocate?
Anyway, am hoping you get the writing part of this piece done soon because now I'm up to speed and waiting for 3 days is going to be really not fun.
Michael