I didn’t even own a pair of workout shoes anymore. I was pretty much a lost cause at this point. I didn’t even own the kind of clothes you would wear to seduce a man .
Me, seductive? That was a laugh .
Cute. I looked cute in my outfit. It was perfectly acceptable for a barbecue. Or a trip to the mall .
Maybe a little boring, but I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard .
Not to mention, I was well aware that Whiskey loved me in jean shorts. He’d said something about my curvy legs driving him nuts. He never seemed to mind that I carried a few extra pounds .
In fact, he’d seemed to love it .
I moaned, knowing I was about to go down the rabbit hole. There was no point in pretending I didn’t remember how great it had been to be with him. I’d even had dreams about white dresses and picket fences .
That dream might be long gone, but I had to do the right thing for Eliza. She would want to know her dad someday. And even if he didn’t want to be hands on, he was a good guy. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her .
I hoped not anyway .
Either way, I’d have to talk to him eventually. I couldn’t wait for my courage to catch up with reality either. Time was of the essence. It felt like I was facing down an important test, and one I was not even remotely prepared for .
I might as well look cute doing it .
I sat down, realizing I was having a mini panic attack .
I was so not ready for this. Even with all that, I could not hide the excitement in my belly at the thought of seeing him. I was not ready to admit that either .
This was not good .
In fact, it was a recipe for disaster .
I decided the best thing to do was cancel. I was reaching for my phone when the doorbell rang. I heard the Kaylie’s voice. And Janet’s. And Sally’s and my stomach sank .
Guess there was no hope of backing out now .
“We come bearing gifts !”
Sally held up a garment bag .
“Well, not gifts. Just an adorable little dress that will fit you like a glove .”
I stared in awe as Sally unzipped the bag and held up a beautiful sundress. It was fit and flare, my most flattering style. Plus, since we both had busty hourglass figures, it looked like it would actually fit .
“Isn’t this a bit much ?”
“Not at all! Look at us, we’re all in dresses !”
Well, they were. Except Janet who was rocking a very short denim mini skirt with a slouchy cool top and strappy wedge sandals. If I had legs like that, I would rock a mico mini too .
“Or skirts !”
“Plus, it’s chambray. It’s practically denim !”
“Um, yeah, embroidered chambray .”
I ran my fingers over the dress. It was a soft blue fabric with beautiful white birds embroidered into the neckline and a few other well chosen spots .
There was even a tiny bee hovering over a flower by the hemline .
“The birds and the bees? Is there supposed to be a hidden message here ?”
She made a hushing sound and thrust the dress at me .
“Don’t be silly! It’s perfect. Go put it on !”
Kaylie held out a pair of pink kitten-heeled slingbacks. I remembered those shoes. She’d gone all the way to the mall three towns over to get them .
I’d been impressed, to say the least .
“You always liked these. I think they will look perfect! And you know we always used to borrow each other’s shoes !”
“You guys… it’s all very nice of you but I really don’t know. I don’t want anyone to think I dressed up for them. Isn’t this a bit much ?”
“Oh, everyone is getting spiffed up. There going to be a photographer there taking pictures. We are going to be in the background of Sally’s new cover art !”
“Oh. Okay. That’s really cool of you, Sally. So… thanks .”
I took the dress, hurrying back to my bedroom. I wasn’t going to lie, I wanted to wear it. And now since there was an excuse …
I unzipped the dress and shimmied out of my jean shorts and sneakers without missing a beat. I stepped into it, reaching behind me to grab the zipper. I only got it halfway up on my own. But when I looked in the mirror I froze in shock .
I. Looked . Good .
Not good for just having had a baby. Not good relatively speaking compared to the three gorgeous women in my kitchen .
Good. Period .
In fact, I’m not sure I ever looked better. It was a new feeling for me. Not like I didn’t know I was cute. Pretty even. But I’d never felt this confident in my life. This… beautiful. It was a foreign feeling to say the least .