Roxy was right: Lara couldn't just decide what society wanted from her. As such, she decided to put more effort into it.
She would try befriending someone the next time Nate brought her to a party. She would have witnessed with her own eyes the expectations put on her; and only then, she would have decided whether to put any weight into public opinion.
As such, she had convinced Nate to accept an invitation to a cocktail party. She loved those: they didn't last too long, and they would leave some time for them to stroll together or even have dinner if the food wasn't good. Not to mention all the exciting activities they could do in the car or - apparently - in a park.
Also, socialisation was easier than that in a formal event such as a gala or a charity auction. Her mother loved the second option more, but Lara had long forgotten how to be amazed by the shining of high society.