“You don’t think it’s too much?” I asked for the hundredth time, looking down at the figure-hugging floor-length black dress with a daring slit up one side and a sweetheart neckline that showed more cleavage than I was used to.
“Girl, that dress is perfect on you,” she assured me. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks.” I smiled. “And thank you for coming shopping with me.”
“What was I going to do? Leave you to pick the burlap sack you would have chosen?” she demanded in mock horror before her face lit with a smile.
I rolled my eyes at her slightly accurate assessment. “And thanks for taking Kodi for the night.” I wasn’t sure if I was coming home after the event or going to Mason’s, and Lily had offered to take him.
“No big deal. I like having him, you know that. And on that note, Kodi and I have a date with a pizza and a bottle of wine,” she announced, moving to collect her things and Kodi’s.
I wrinkled my brow in concern. Staying in on the weekend wasn’t Lily’s typical move, and I realized she’d been doing it more and more since Ryan. I resolved to talk to her about it when I picked up Kodi.
“Call me tomorrow and tell meeverything.”
“I will,” I agreed as she offered a final wave and let herself out.
In the silence that followed, butterflies began to take root in my belly, taking off full flight when my buzzer rang, indicating Mason’s arrival.
When I opened my door to him moments later, I froze, taking in the sight of him in a tux. He looked devilishly handsome, eyeing me with barely restrained hunger.
“Ellie.” His voice was a low rasp. “You look—there aren’t words,” he managed, swallowing visibly. “You’re stunning.”
“Thank you,” I replied, and I found that I was getting more comfortable with his praise the more time I spent with him. It was so raw and genuine, I couldn’t help but soak it in. “You look amazing,” I murmured appreciatively, pulling him into my loft and shutting the door. “I just need to grab my clutch.”
“Where’s Kodi?” he asked, and my heart warmed that he so immediately noticed my dog’s absence.
“He went with Lily for the night,” I explained. “Ready?”
His brow knitted for a moment, as though he was going to say something, before it smoothed and he took my hand. “Not sure how I’m going to feel having anyone’s eyes on you but mine,” he grumbled, sounding genuinely perturbed.
I smiled. “You’ll manage.”
“And you won’t leave my side,” he replied firmly, kissing me soundly before taking my hand.
When we pulled up to the symphony hall, I was immediately overwhelmed by the lights and cameras.
“There’s a red carpet?” I squeaked in alarm.
“There are a few celebrities here tonight.” He shrugged. “We’ll walk right in.”
It was still surreal that he was one of those celebrities as he dropped his Camaro with the valet and took my hand.
I followed his lead, trying not to look like a fawn in headlights as he strode with confidence toward the red carpet, waving to the press with his free hand but not pausing for questions.
“Mason! Over here!” one of them shouted. “Is that your new girlfriend?”
“Ellie! Right here!” another called, and my stride faltered, still in shock that some of them knew my name.
Mason squeezed my hand reassuringly just as we made it inside. “See? Piece of cake.” He grinned, handing me a glass of champagne from a passing platter.
I couldn’t help but laugh and took a welcome gulp of my drink. “Total cake,” I replied dryly.
True to his word, Mason kept me at his side, keeping his hand clasped over mine or his arm around my waist. He introduced me to everyone that approached but was noticeably more guarded, more reserved than the Mason I knew. It warmed me that I knew a side of him he let few people see.
“Jackson, this the new woman?” a large man chortled as we were about to grab some food, a model-thin blonde cinched to his side.
Mason’s entire body stiffened as he leveled the man with a steady stare. “Marcus,” he replied, his tone full of a warning I didn’t understand. “This is Ellie Mitchell,” he introduced.
