Settling The Score

Part 32

"Well, it only took you seven tries, but you did it. You got me the big bear," I laughed as Mason and I walked back to their beach house. "Does the big strong boy's ego feel better now?" I teased.

He turned around with the huge ass bear on his shoulders to flash me a dazzling smile. "Much, thank you."

He looked almost unreal in the moonlight, the light streaks in his hair positively glowing. "As far as first dates go, I'd say you did a decent job, Mason Hayes."

He shot me a lazy grin. "Well you get a teddy bear and you get to spend more time with me." A knowing smile danced on his lips as he gestured towards something on the beach.

My mouth fell open as I beheld the scene in front of me.

On the sand, a few feet away from the waves, a blanket was thrown, surrounded by candles and fairy lights. It was beautifully decorated with pillows and rose petals and on the one side stood a small table with a bowl of fruit and two champaign glasses.

I stared dumbfounded as he took my hand and led me towards the setup.

It was perfect. With the hundreds of tiny lights and the moon hovering overhead, and of course, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

"I figured, what better way to end off the night than by watching the sea underneath the stars? You know, since technically, the first time we ever hung out was while stargazing."

He turned around, looking at me sheepishly. "I hope it's not too over the top..."

"Mason I-"

Honestly, I didn't know what to say. For the first time in my life, I felt absolutely tongue-tied. It was so beautiful and thoughtful and I couldn't believe that somebody would go to so much trouble for me.

"I must be the first person ever to render Leslie Carter speechless," he smirked.

"You're the first person to get a lot of things out of me, actually."

He jerked an eyebrow up, Oh really?

Smiling like an idiot, he made himself comfortable next to me on the blanket. "So I take it you like it, Carebear?" he asked with a smirk.

"I do. I really, really do. When did you even have time to set all this up?"

"I believe it was when you were taking that ridiculously long shower. You know, if you wanted me to join, you should've just asked."

I couldn't keep my eyes from rolling as I took a grape from the huge fruit bowl.

Mason gave me an impressed look as I handed him the bowl. "Grape?" I offered, smiling sweetly.

"Wow, Carebear, I'd say we've gotten pretty far from where we were a few months ago."

"We have," I confirmed, meaning every word of it.

I met his eyes and held onto his gaze.

All fun and games aside, I couldn't help but feel that we've been ignoring the elephant in the room all day. Both of us acting like this was some fairytale and that nothing had happened. But it did.

I could see it behind his eyes, too. He had forgiven me for making that stupid video, but there was still the tiniest hint of constraint behind his green gaze.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked as he placed his hand next to mine on the blanket. I guess he was referring to my little breakdown last night.

"Better," I said plainly. "Thanks to you."

His eyes shone, whether it was from the moonlight or something else, I couldn't tell. Glad I could help.