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Lucy turned to the mirror on the back of the door, and her eyes widened. "Damn, I should've gotten a bigger size."
Taylor laughed. "Let me see. Step back into the camera."
She did and Taylor whistled. "Girl, you're busting out. Who knew you had boobs like that under all the colorful nerdy stuff you normally wear?"
"Hey, I'll have you know that I've slowly updated my wardrobe since graduation. It's much more tasteful. Remember when we went shopping for our graduation outfits and met the girl who worked at the store? She's been helping me."
Taylor leaned forward, propping her head on her pillow as she laid on her stomach on her bed. "I didn't know that. I really am missing way too much of your life. Can you believe that we've only hung out four times since December? That's not enough."
Lucy nodded. "Agreed. Let's do something weekly, starting when I get back. And I still think you should move in with me when you graduate in May."
"We'll see. Now, twirl around and let me see the back. What shoes are you wearing with it?"
She reached down and held up her silver heels.
Taylor gave a chef's kiss. "Perfect. You'll be the belle of the ball tonight. You'll knock him dead. Maybe after he sees you in this, he won't want to let you go."
Lucy paused, inspecting her reflection in the mirror.
"Lucy, it was a joke. Please don't tell me you're hoping he does exactly that."
She shrugged, then sat on the bed to put the shoes on. "Fine, I won't tell you."
Taylor groaned. "I had hoped you'd be the lucky one, the one who would never know the heartache of being dumped. I'm sorry, Lucy."
She picked up her phone and gave a sad smile. "I'd hoped so too, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. Just didn't know it would hurt this much. It's like there's a hole inside that only he can fill."
Taylor burst out laughing, and after a beat, so did Lucy. She tried to stop the tears but couldn't. When she finally stopped laughing, she had to grab a tissue and fix her makeup.
"Oh God, that was hilarious, Lucy. You're finally catching on to all the double entendre lingo. I'm so proud of you. Can't wait to hang with this fun new Lucy too. But for now, I'm gonna hop off here. You go slay him tonight, ok?"
"Will do. Thanks for the help, Tay. Love ya."
"Love you too. Later."
She hung up the phone and took another quick glance at her reflection. There really wasn't anything to say to Mason that hadn't already been said on the island. But she wasn't going to miss out on this magical night with him. She'd never been to a ball before much less with a hot older man whom she loved. Excitement coursed through her as she left their room.
Chapter 39
Mason sat at the bar of the resort, a whiskey in hand while he watched the door for Lucy. It was their last night in Hawaii, and it was more than a masquerade ball. There was going to be dinner, a show, and dancing.
Lucy had been thrilled and had taken off to town to go shopping. He'd forced himself to let her go, mostly because she'd wanted the dress to be a surprise. He'd gotten another massage and then had bought a suit.
But his skin itched to be near her. It'd been hours. He frowned, thinking of tomorrow when they'd catch their plane back to Texas. If he felt this out of sorts after just hours, what would it be like after a day, week, month?
He glanced at the doorway, and froze, drink halfway to his lips. His breath caught in his throat at the vision in pink lace. Damn, the surprise was worth it. He just soaked her in, trying to catch his breath and regulate his racing pulse.
A lighter color of lace draped her bodice like a second skin, revealing a plunging neckline held up by one wide strap that wrapped around her neck. Bare shoulders made him want to sink his teeth into the tender exposed flesh.
She turned to talk to the hostess. He glimpsed her back, the dress open down to the base of her spine. It cupped her ass and made him salivate. The skirt flared just under her ass to fall in waves to the floor, the pink fading from cotton candy to a darker hue near the hem.
He smiled. She loved her pink, and he loved her in pink. And out of it. Her hair was piled up in a fancy twist, her white mask tied behind her head. He adjusted his own navy blue mask and then his matching tie.
Lucy smiled at him as he stood from the bar, drink in hand. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He tossed the last of his drink back, then strode through the crowd to her side.
Before he reached her, another guy stepped up and grabbed her hand, bending at the waist and kissing the back of it. She laughed and nodded, then went to dance. She held up her other hand to Mason and mouthed, "Be right back."
He stood frozen, his stomach in knots as he watched them from the edge of the dance floor. He sat back down at the bar, never taking his eyes off her.
