I froze. "How did I forget about this one?" I muttered, rifling through my closet again. Then I pulled out a short, daring dress with a keyhole opening in the front that showed just the right amount. It would highlight my tanned, shiny legs and well, the middle part of my chest in a way that was undeniably bold.
I held it up to myself in the mirror, heart racing. Tonight wasn't just dinner. Tonight could be the start of something unforgettable. And I was going to look like I meant it.
I undressed and stepped into the bathroom for a long, hot bath. The warmth of the water was soothing, and I almost forgot the world outside including the date I had been dreaming about all week. I had even set a timer, knowing how sleepy I could get, but the moment I sank into the tub, I felt myself melting into pure relaxation.
The sound of my phone alarm jolted me awake. Panic rushed through me as I realized I still had a date tonight. I quickly wrapped myself in a soft white towel, twisted my hair into a turban, and rushed out of the bathroom. After drying off, I went through a little skincare routine, making sure my skin glowed under the soft light.
Next, I grabbed my hair dryer and blew my hair dry while watching a YouTube tutorial on how to style it. In the end, I settled on a ponytail with two wavy strands left to frame my face, soft and playful. Light makeup followed nude lipstick, just enough to accentuate my features without overdoing it.
I paired my dress with black boot heels, the perfect mix of bold and elegant. Finally, I sprayed a little of my favorite seductive perfume. I had always been a lover of scents, and tonight, I wanted to leave a lasting impression.
One last glance in the mirror. Perfect. Tonight was going to be unforgettable.
I walked out of my room, excitement and nerves dancing in my chest. But the living room was empty. My parents weren't around. Confused, I opened the front door and froze.
There he was. Alex. Standing beside a sleek red sports car, holding a bouquet of red roses. My heart skipped a beat.
"Hey, Ava," he said, his eyes sweeping over me like he couldn't believe I was really there. "You look… amazing."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. His gaze lingered in all the right places, and the way his lips curved made it feel like he was holding back something fierce. My heart pounded, and I realized just how much I had been imagining this moment and how real, and electric, it felt now.