Until May (Until Her/Him)

“We also brought you tons of stuff to look at to wear tonight, in case you didn’t find anything in your closet.”

“You guys didn’t have to do this.” I look through the group of them, feeling choked up.

“Do not start crying.” April sighs, giving me a hug, and I press my lips together to keep from smiling. Being married and now pregnant has definitely softened her up, not that I don’t think she’s still a badass who would put anyone in their place.

“Now tell us how this all came about. We’ve got a bet going,” July says, and I laugh, not even a little surprised.

“Well…” I look between all of them, then take a sip of my very strong drink before I explain Aiden showing up last night and everything that happened after. When I’m finished, all of them are watching me with wide eyes.

“Well, okay, Aiden is a badass.” July laughs.

“I love this for you.” December grins. “And I love that he got all growly and protective when he thought someone hurt you.”

“Exactly my thought,” April agrees, rubbing her stomach.

“Crap,” June breaks into the moment, “bring your drink. We need to get you ready. You don’t have a lot of time to dillydally,” she says, grabbing my free hand to drag me along with her.

“Dillydally,” April repeats, sounding like she’s trying not to laugh.

“Don’t judge me until after you’ve popped that kid out.” June looks at her as we enter my bedroom. “Soon enough, you’ll be saying and doing things you never thought you would.”

“She’s not wrong. I can’t even tell you the number of things I said I would never do if I was a mom. Now, all I can do is laugh at how naïve I used to be,” December tells her while plopping down on the end of my bed where there are piles of clothes along with two very distinct pink-and-black shopping bags.

“Speaking of my nieces and nephews, where are they all right now?” I look between my sisters.

“With their fathers,” July chimes in, then asks, “So what were you thinking about wearing tonight?”

“This.” I look down at myself, and then add, “But I was informed by Toya that I should rethink my choice, which is why I sent you all a message.”

“I knew I liked her,” April says, picking up one of the pink bags. “I knew you would balk at anything I suggested you wear, so I decided to get you a couple of things to wear under whatever outfit you choose.” She pulls out a sheer lace bra and a pair of underwear that match. “Go put this on, then we’ll figure out the rest.”

I take one more sip from my drink before I set it down, then go to the bathroom, leaving the door open. My sisters and I have been getting changed in front of each other since we were old enough to dress ourselves, so there is no need to try to be modest around them. After I strip out of my work clothes, I put on the panties and bra, and bite my lip. The lace bra is low cut, almost exposing my nipples, while the panties are sheer except in one crucial area and cut high around the curve of my hips, making my legs look longer than they actually are. Together, they are sexy—very sexy—especially compared to what I normally wear. Grabbing my robe from the back of my door, I slip it on, then head back into my bedroom.

“Let’s see it.” April takes a seat on the chair, and I open my robe just enough for them to see what I have on under. “Damn, I’m good.” She grins at me.

“You are, and now I need that in a different color,” July tells her, then tosses me a piece of black material I just barely catch. Holding the buttery-soft leather material out in front of me, I realize it’s a pair of leggings. “Try those.”

“I don’t know about these.” I shake my head but still step into them and shimmy them up over my thighs and hips.

“They look good on you,” June assures as I slip off my robe, then rub my hands over the soft material. “Now, for a top.” She rummages through one of the piles and comes up with a black, sheer, long-sleeved button-down and hands it to me. “Try this.”

I put it on, then go into the bathroom to check my reflection. The pants and top do go together really well, but the whole outfit is just not me.

“If you were going out with one of Wes’s friends, I would say this is the winner, but you’re not.” July comes to stand next to me, and I couldn’t agree more, because this would be the perfect outfit to wear on a date with one of her husband’s friends who ride motorcycles or work at his auto shop.

“Do you still have that long cream turtleneck dress you wore at Christmas?” April asks, going into my closet and flipping on the light.

“I do.” I follow her, then pull it off its hanger, and she takes it from me, then goes to where my shoes and boots are all lined up. She grabs a pair of my thigh-high brown suede boots and a belt in a similar color from the basket I have them all stored in.

“Trust me for a second,” she tells me, and I rub my lips together and get undressed before putting on the boots along with the dress. Once I have both items on, she tells me to lift my arms over my head, so I do, and she wraps the belt around my waist and tightens it before I let my arms fall back into place.