[color=f26522]"I can't believe you spent almost the entire day helping set up for this dinner instead of getting ready! I started getting ready last night!" Carla droned on and on about her endless beauty routine as Jo stood in front of the bathroom mirror applying her eyeliner. "Paul said he would meet me there. Who did you say you were bringing again? You have a date right? I hope so because the last time you looked more like a waitress than an actual employee enjoying themselves," Carla stated as she pinned another piece of hair up with a bobby pin.[/color]

Jo rolled her eyes. Yes she had helped set up the [url=http://static.paradizo.com/albums/large/maca-bana/the-aquarium-restaurant/the-aquarium-restaurant-fine-dining.jpg]aquarium.[/url] She had agreed to that task several months ago, but she didn't mind because she always spent some time in the lab with the animals before and after setting up. She blinked her eyes in the mirror and wiped a black smudge from under her right eye. 

"Yes, I have a date. Yes I know I helped set up and no it doesn't take me anywhere near as long to get ready as you." She adjusted the waistline of her dress and walked back into the bedroom, a little wobbly in her 2 inch heels. Jo tugged at the dress a little more, trying to make the lines fall just right. "Well?" she asked, twirling in a slow circle and showing off her [url=http://d3u67r7pp2lrq5.cloudfront.net/product_photos/32840112/_24_57-76_original.JPG]dress[/url].

[color=f26522]Carla squealed and clapped her hands together in delight. "You look fantastic! Where on earth did you find that dress? That color totally suits you! You look so hot!" She gushed and hugged her shoulders. "Are you ready to go? It's nearly 6:45." Carla grabbed her keys and her clutch to match her emerald green dress and headed out the door.[/color]

Jo climbed into the passenger seat of Carla's Chevy Cruze and listened to her ramble on and on about how great Paul was and who Jo's mysterious date was. The 10 minutes ride felt more like 30 minutes. Finally, the parked in the parking garage next door , thankfully on the lower level and walked toward the front entrance. Jo craned her neck to try and find her sandy haired date in the crowd. 

[color=f26522]Carla grabbed Jo's wrist and pulled her back. "Is that the guy from the beach that we saved? Jo, he is HOT! You brought him tonight?! GO GIRL!" She squealed quietly and tugged her arm a few more times. Carla was a great friend, but she had no filter and no off switch. She let go of Jo's arm and looked over her shoulder. "I'm going to go find Paul! Have fun!" She called as she strutted away.[/color]

Jo stopped just in front of Leon and smiled up at him. He was a sight indeed in his black suit and tie that seemed to glisten with golden flecks. He would be the one to add a touch of gold. Her golden lion. Her smile grew wider as she looked up at Leon. "Hi," she whispered quietly. "You look nice."