Vicious Circles - By Leann Andrews Page 0,16

moment. I knew subconsciously that Mason had pulled into some random apartment complex and that he stopped the car, hopped out and ran around to my side. His arms wrapped around my entire upper body and yanked me from the car.

“You got it didn’t you?” He almost yelled.

We spun around once and some of the shock wore off. “I fucking got the part. I got the part. How did this happen?” My face most certainly wore a look of complete surprise.

Mason set my feet down against the blacktop. “You went in there and showed those people what raw talent looks like. That’s how.”

His green eyes burned into mine. There was a slight blush of color against his cheeks but that could have been the heat. Best of all, he was smiling.

“I can’t believe this happened.” I grabbed a bit of his shirt in my fist and pulled him close. “Mason, this is because of you. No one has given me any hope…ever. I would still be rotting away in the forgotten parts of LA if you hadn’t been so damn persistent.”

He actually looked slightly uncomfortable but quickly recovered. I knew Mason Jennings was an excellent actor without ever seeing any of his work. “You went in that place and blew them away; that was all you.” A sly smile grew along his lips. “That means I get to take you to dinner.”

“I don’t like that look. You know my rules. No raw fish, no ginormous steaks and no McDonalds.”

He was already around the hood of his vehicle. “Get your ass in the car.”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“You need something to wear. I’ll call and get a reservation while you look.” He shifted the car in gear without batting an eye, as if buying some homeless girl a nice dress was shit he did all the time.

“Mason,” I half laughed-half snorted, “you can’t buy me a dress.”

“Uh-uh,” he shook his head back and forth. “You said I could take you out when you got the part. No take backs.”

I scrunched my nose and looked at the small row of stores he was approaching with disdain. “Are you fucking five?”

He pulled a one hundred dollar bill from his wallet. I was scared to take it from him. “Just take the money and find a dress.”

I sighed and unhooked my seatbelt. “Fine, but I won’t have fun.” I made sure to snatch the money extra nasty-like to emphasize my dislike of the whole situation.

The store smelled like lilacs and my immediate thought was Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Only difference was, I would poke a bitch in the eye. Luckily no one approached me and I browsed the colorful dresses in peace. Somehow black seemed to be what I kept going to. Black was always a smart choice.

I wasn’t completely ignorant. I knew my size and I knew what was happening as far as style around Hollywood. The simple pair of black heels, tucked away in my backpack came to mind when I finally found the dress.

A slight v-neck, calf length…perfect. I paid as quickly as I could and practically sprinted from the store. Mason was leaning against his car, smoking a cigarette. I dropped the change in the driver’s seat through the open window.

“How did it go?” He questioned through a puff of smoke.

“I would rather not talk about it. I found one, thank you.” I shielded my eyes from the sun and crossed in front of the hood to get back in the car.

***

Makeup was not something I used often. I couldn’t put it on and in the end I never thought I looked any good with it on. For some reason, I felt like I had to wear it with that damn dress. One of Mason’s roommates came home while I was holed up in the bathroom, but lucky me; he grabbed something and left again.

“We’re going to be late,” Mason called while pounding on the door.

“Jesus, I’m ready…calm the fuck down.” I swung the door open with force to knock him back into the hall a bit.

‘Whoa.” He stared at me, silently. Half his face was hidden in the shadows but from the eye that was visible I could tell he was impressed.

“It’s the dress,” I said shyly.

He turned and walked toward the front door. “No, I still say it’s your eyes.”

I almost didn’t hear him. He’d spoken the words so low I didn’t know if I was even meant to hear them. I didn’t respond in case