Blush for Me (Fusion 3)

The pedicure chairs give a fantastic massage while your feet soak. Cici has decorated this place impeccably. There’s one wall of reclaimed barn wood with huge wood letters that say you’re really pretty. The floors are hardwood, the decor is classic rustic, and it’s all fancy.

“I feel like I’m somewhere fancy,” I say as I roll my pants up and dip my feet in the hot water. “Sweet merciful heaven, this is nice.”

“It’s cute, isn’t it?” Addie asks, her hands resting on her belly.

“So, you just had to get out of your house?” I ask Cici, and adjust the massage chair to focus on my lower back.

“I have four thousand kids and a scientist husband who’s hardly home. My poor clients had to endure all four thousand kids interrupting us all day long.”

“Your kids aren’t that bad,” Cami says with a laugh, and pours me a glass of champagne.

“No? Just the other day they were all supposed to be napping, and I had a break from clients. Hubs was home, so we start to make out on the couch. Suddenly, just when things are getting good, my six-year-old comes into the room and sings ‘I’m sexy and I know it.’”

We all bust up laughing, but Cici rolls her eyes.

“Hiring a nanny and renting this place was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“Well, I like it,” I reply. “It suits you.”

“Thank you.” Cici grins. “So I hear you’re in love.”

I frown. “I never said I was in love.”

Addie smirks and I shoot her a glare.

“She’s with him twenty-four/seven,” Riley informs Cici. “And if you say his name, she blushes.”

“I don’t blush.” God, how mortifying.

“You do,” Mia says, agreeing with Riley. “It’s pretty cute.”

“What’s his name again?” Cici asks.

“Mac,” Cami says, and giggles. “See? Blushing.”

“It’s the hot water,” I mutter, and take a long sip of the bubbly.

“Well, they’ve filled me in on the how and where, but I want to know more. How is he in the sheets?”

I choke, champagne comes out my nose, and I cough so hard I swear I’m going to pee my pants. My alleged friends laugh mercilessly.

“You’re all on my shit list.”

“Oh, come on, you can be ruthless in your questions too,” Addie reminds me. “Now the tables are turned and we want to know.”

“He’s amazing,” I reply reluctantly. “Like, the best-sex-of-your-life kind of sex.”

“Hell, I’d be with him twenty-four/seven if I were you too,” Cici says, rubbing Mia’s feet. “It’s convenient that he lives in the same building. The walk of shame the next morning is a short one.”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that,” I say with a laugh. “I’m going to have to tell him that.”

“I took his wine tour once,” Cici says. “He’s hot, and he’s smart when it comes to wine.”

“I didn’t know that,” Addie says. “Was it fun?”

“Absolutely. We should all do it together sometime.”

“That would be so fun!” Cami says. “Oh, Landon says hi to everybody, by the way.”

“Shut your damn phone off,” Mia says with a scowl. “We’re supposed to be spending quality time with each other. How are we supposed to do that when you keep sexting with your husband?”

“How did you know we’re sexting?” Cami asks, her eyes wide and mortified.

“Please, you always sex each other up. It’s disgusting,” Mia replies. “He’s my brother.”

“He’s not my brother,” Cami says with a wink. “Okay, I’m putting it away.”

“Things are still good with you two?” I ask her.

“Things are great,” she replies. “I think we’re going to start trying to have a baby.”

We all smile widely. Cami got pregnant right before their wedding, but lost the baby. It was a hard time for both of them.

“I’m so happy for you,” Riley says, squeezing Cami’s hand tightly.

“Well, it could take a while,” Cami says. “I have a lot of scar tissue from the last one, and only one fallopian tube, but it’ll be fun trying.”

“That’s the best part,” Addie says. “This part? Not the best part.” She rubs her belly. “Not that I’m complaining. But damn, I’m a house.”

“You’re not a house.”

“I’m a baby house.”

“You’re gonna be a mama,” Riley says with a smile. “That’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah.”

“Baby shower, next Sunday at Cami’s place,” Mia says with a grin. “I’m making some awesome food for it.”

“Of course you are,” Cici says. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. Are you registered?”

“Don’t buy us presents,” Addie says adamantly. “Honestly, just come to the shower.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes. “It’s a baby shower. We’re supposed to buy insanely cute things and ooh and aah over every little thing and sit in silence as our ovaries burst.”

“My ovaries burst every time I look at her,” Riley says. “And I’m not sure if I want kids, but damn, she’s the cutest pregnant woman ever.”