Settling The Score

Part 18

Above, is what Leslie looks like in her dress. ;)

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After I waisted my entire day, watching Netflix and texting Mason, Lucy came over and helped me get dressed.

"No makeup, Luce. I want this to be all me," I insisted.

"Maybe just a little mascara and some lipstick?" she pleaded, "I mean, you're gorgeous even without a smidge of makeup, but you have to give me something." 

"Fine," I chuckled.

I decided to wear a plain, yet elegant red dress tonight, that fell over my legs. It had a slight slip but didn't show too much skin. It was a lot more me than that skanky dress Lucy made me wear the other night. Not that dresses were my thing. I was a bit wary about the unnecessary amount of cleavage that showed, but I had to admit, it looked pretty great against my tanned skin.

I also didn't want to go overboard with the makeup, deciding that it just wouldn't feel right if I went out of my way to look striking. Unfortunately, tonight I wouldn't be wearing sneakers, and instead had on golden strappy sandals with a slight heel.

I allowed Lucy to apply red lipstick to match the nail polish on my toes, courtesy of her bullying. Letting my long waves fall messily over one shoulder, I made my way downstairs to where Mason stood, waiting. 

Mom had to go to work again, so it was just the four of us, Bella playing Barbie in her room. Lucy would be watching her tonight.

"I..." Mason stood there with his mouth open, as he soaked me in. "You..." he swallowed audibly, "Leslie, you look beautiful," he finally managed.

Despite my best efforts, my cheeks instantly reddened at his reaction. I had to force my face to stay neutral. "Thank you, Mason Hayes, you don't look so bad yourself," I replied with a half-smile.

He looked absolutely, I had no other word for it but dashing. His hair was gelled up tonight, still having a messy edge to it. He wore a white open-neck shirt, that fit him snugly, along with a suit jacket and deliciously tight pants.

He handed me a red rose, that I let him put in my ear as I intertwined my arm with his. 

"Shall we?" he held his arm towards the door, letting me walk first while we said goodbye to Lucy.

The whole thing was extremely cliche, if you asked me. I swear, Lucy was tearing up at the sight of us.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you dressed up for me, Carebear," Mason winked as we drove to the restaurant. 

He smelled exceptionally nice tonight, a very distracting thought as I only gave him a secretive smile in answer.

As desperately as I tried, I couldn't keep the blush from creeping up my cheeks as he sneaked glimpses at me at every possible opportunity, his eyes dancing with appreciation.

"Sheesh," I muttered, "Would you stop already?" 

I constrained myself from smiling like a goof, as I turned to face him. He cocked an eyebrow at me as if to ask what precisely I meant by that.

"You're inspecting me like I'm some sort of alien or something." 

"Well, you're definitely out of this world," he hummed, grinning that grin at me.

"Please, no puns," I begged, as my head fell into my hands. 

Mason chuckled, giving me a pout. "But I like puns." 

"Don't you think my cheeks are red enough?" I mumbled inaudibly.

"What's that, Carebear? I make you nervous? Why thank you, I tend to have that effect on girls," he gushed.