"Well, I was planning on going, yes. And I would much prefer to go with you instead of stopping in by myself." If she didn't want to go, he wouldn't have taken anyone else. Simply went long enough to check things out and talk with people before doing something else. Probably with her.

As she did want to go, though, he was more than willing. He survived the formal attire he wore for the winter dance and he could probably survive once more. Especially if he got the chance to see her decked out again. That was a pretty good trade-off and certainly helped to keep his mind off his own discomfort.