> Isn't there an app where I can just order a temporary friend for a few hours

there's two. Only Fans and making an appointment with a therapist (basically a professional listener/friend educated in helping you help yourself).

It was just a couple of months ago where I found myself complaining that we shouldn't have to pay exorbitant amounts of money for friendship.

Last time I went to a bar a pretty woman and her friends decided to sit next to me only after I closed my tab and was getting an Uber to go back home. She seemed super nervous just sitting next to me and I assumed that if I butted into their conversation I'd get ignored like last time.

I'm working on a decentralized open source Meetup alternative where people can find social events and meet new friends. https://codeberg.org/createthirdplaces