Jasmine laughs, confusing me. “Oh, no, honey,” she tells me, laying her hand on my arm. “Three-hundred dollars. Three figures, not four.”
Relief floods me and my previous elation returns like a flash of lightning. “You can’t be serious?” I can afford that! Even without that gift card Owen got me for Christmas or my credit card! Without hesitating, I nod emphatically, resisting the urge to hop up and down while clapping like a kid jacked up on sugar that was just told they were going to an amusement park. “I’ll take it!”
I step back behind the curtain and remove the dress, handing it through to Jasmine before even putting my clothes back on. I quickly dress and meet her at the till where she’s got the dress bagged in a black garment bag and hanging behind her. My next stop will be to the party store and then to Victoria’s Secret for a sexy bra and panty set to wear underneath. I mean, I did make myself a promise that that’s how I would spend Owen’s gift card.
And shoes! I’ll definitely need some sexy new pumps to pair with this dress.
I pull out my debit card and am waiting to hear my total when Jasmine glances up from the register with a look of realization. “You said this was a masquerade party, right?” I nod. “Do you have your mask?”
I shake my head back and forth. “No. I was going to head over to the party store, actually. My friend said they carry them over there.”
Jasmine’s lips turn up into a beautiful smile, and she turns around to the cabinet behind her, opening the top drawer and pulling out a box. When she sets it down, she opens the lid. I’m rendered momentarily stunned and speechless as I peer inside to find a sleek black masquerade mask sitting atop a blue velvet pillow. Looking up at Jasmine, I ask, “May I?” She nods her assent, and I reach inside and pick up the intricately designed mask.
It’s made of metal, but it’s so thin and light, that I can’t imagine it being bothersome. The mask isn’t a solid black piece; little lines, spaces, and filigree curls promise to still show the skin of my face. The right side is also higher than the left, winding up over where my temple will sit beneath it while the other side will sit along my brow and cheek bones. Looking at it, I know it won’t do as much to conceal my identity as the more traditional masks you see everywhere, but I figure I can play around with my eye makeup enough to help with that.
“H-how much?” I stammer, wondering if that even matters.
“Seventy-five,” Jasmine replies.
I decide to go for the extra purchase, because I’m fairly certain that anything I find at the party store now will only look like a cheap novelty piece now. $375 doesn’t seem unreasonable for a big party, right? I’ll probably have to wear a pair of heels I already own, but I’ve got a few pairs that could work quite well.
After paying for my dress and mask, I walk a few blocks over to the mall and head straight to Victoria’s Secret where I pick out a simple black strapless bra and a matching thong. It’s perhaps not the most risqué set of undergarments I own, but I don’t think Owen will notice; underwear is underwear to a guy, after all. Besides, I still have a little left on the gift card to surprise him at a later date.
It surprises me just how little time all of this took, and after only a couple hours, I’m back to waiting for my bus to Owen’s place. The entire time, I’m beyond anxious for the party tomorrow night, and moreover, to see the look on Owen’s face when he sees me all dolled up for the first time.
Owen’s not expecting me back at his place for another couple hours; I honestly thought it would take me the better part of today to find what I needed. I look forward to surprising him and spending the rest of the afternoon together. I step off the bus in front of his building and head through the front door, greeting the doorman with a curt nod. I don’t think he knows who I am, but he doesn’t try to stop me, either, so I continue on toward the elevator.
When I reach Owen’s floor, I adjusting the garment bag holding my dress in my arms, and walk briskly down the hall. Reaching into my pocket, I grab my keys and unlock the door. Excited, I step over the threshold, closing the door behind me, and rush toward the living room.
“Guess who got herself a sexy new dress for tomorrow night?” I call out, rounding the corner. “I’m not sure if I’m more excited for you to see me in it or for you to rip it off of me.” I stop dead in my tracks, choking on the words that have just spewed from my mouth as I take in the very unexpected sight before me. Inhaling sharply, my heart begins to race, thundering painfully against my ribs.