Pay Me, I'm Yours

Chapter 18 - A Matter Of Technicalities

Chapter 18 - A Matter Of Technicalities

It was our first date.

To say that I was nervous about everything about this night would be the greatest understatement of the year. I mean, yeah, I had been going out with Gale but that was all for the bet so I wasn't too conscious about it like I was now.

And of course, there was also the fact that he said he was falling in love with me to keep my mind on a state of near panic.

Yeah, I'm one huge wreck, all right.

"Don't you think it's kinda small?" I asked nervously, surveying the simple strapless black mini dress that exposed a great deal of my legs. I had to admit that this dress completely hid the fact that I'm clumsy, foul mouthed, and out of control in real life, but then again, even if I was wearing this gorgeous dress, there'd be no guarantee that I won't be making a fool of myself.

"Relax, will you," October said calmly. Rummaging through my jewelry box, she extracted a pair of stud diamond earrings. "Put those on while I fix your hair."

I sighed and did what she says. "It would've been much nicer if he said he was taking me out to an eat-all-you-can steakhouse instead."

"What are you?" She pulled my hair up and secured it with pins. "A puma?"

"Well, it's much more casual and utterly less nerve wracking than this one."

"This is your first date, Mom. He's just trying to impress you."

"Please," I said, rolling my eyes at her. "Knowing Gale, I'll bet my entire fortune that all he wants to do is to get me out of this thing."

"Yeah, that too."

I stared at her reflection in the mirror, noticing the worry in her eyes. "Tell me."

She avoided my gaze and reached out for the make-up instead.

"I know you want to say something, Tobie."

She sighed and placed herself in front of me. Getting the eyeliner, she gently laid her wrist against my cheeks and motioned for me to look upward so she could apply it. "Are you really sure about him, Mom?"

"He makes me happy," I answered. "That should count for something, right?"

Finished with the eye primping, she grabbed the lipstick next. "I think so. Look, just be careful, alright, Mom? I don't want to see you holing yourself up again."

Ten minutes had passed when she finally finished fixing my make-up. She then gave me a pair of black stiletto and ordered me to stand up so she could get the whole effect.

She smiled.

"You know, if you weren't my Mom, I could cheerfully strangle you to death."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you're seriously hot."

I laughed at her sudden serious expression. "I'll try to tone it down, then." Hearing the buzzer sound, I grabbed my purse and headed out of my bedroom when October said to wait.

I turned to her and raised an eyebrow. She disappeared for a minute, knowing full well that she was raiding my closet again when I heard the slide of the door.

The buzzer sounded again.

"October," I hollered. "I'm going to be late."

Tobie emerged from the bedroom and tossed me a black coat. I deftly caught it and stared at her in confusion.