As Ellen continued to hold the shirt and hat close to her chest, her smile still lingering, but she suddenly noticed something that made her pause. She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Mason more closely. He wasn't wearing his usual work attire. Instead of the crisp suit and tie that he usually wore to work, he was dressed casually—comfortable jeans and a simple t-shirt that made him look more relaxed than she was used to seeing.
"Mason," Ellen began, her tone curious, "you're not dressed for work."
Mason looked down at himself, as if only just realizing what he was wearing, and then shrugged nonchalantly. "That's because I'm not going in today," he replied, his voice casual. "I'm taking the day off."