“A baby came out of me. Hell, there was no way I was going to let Craig enter me even with doctor’s approval for a long time.”

“See?” Nicole shrugged. “Well, those are my thoughts.”

“I guess that’s one way of thinking of it,” I agreed.

“Maybe I did feel insecure with my body. It also took me a while to get my body back to the way it was,” Kate said.

“I don’t think our bodies will ever be the same,” Becky added.

As I waited for Connor to finish, I absorbed our conversation. As we had progressed in our stages in life, our conversations had shifted. It was wonderful to have friends you could share your thoughts, sorrow, happiness, and experiences with. Many friends entered your life, but the ones that were truly worthwhile were the ones that stayed. As I gazed upon my friends still talking about how our bodies had changed, I couldn’t stop smiling. These were the moments I wanted to capture and remember forever.

“You did what?” I heard Matthew’s voice from the kitchen, and the sound of loud laughter. “Becca, we’re going Paris. No way is my brother’s lock going to be bigger than mine.”

Oh boy!

Two months later

When Max went to work, it was just Connor and me. After I placed him down for an early morning nap, I went downstairs to get a bite to eat. As I ate a yogurt, an egg, and some blueberries, something caught my eye in the family room. On the coffee table was a letter and a single red rose. My heart jumped with excitement. What was Max up to?

I picked it up and read it.

Mommy,

Daddy wants to take you out to dinner

with Uncle Matthew and Auntie Becky.

I’ll be okay with Grandma Paige and Grandpa

Jonathan. They are going to come over by 5:30.

They are going to take good care of me.

I’ll be safe, so don’t worry. Check inside your closet.

There is something Daddy wants you to wear.

You will look beautiful in it.

Love,

Connor

With a huge smile on my face, I texted Max. You are amazing. I can’t wait for you to take me out to dinner.

Surprisingly, I got a text back right away. You have it wrong. You are amazing. I’m not sure what I can’t wait for, you in that dress or me taking it off you.

It had been a while since Max and I had flirted like this or even had sex. And it had been a while since my face flushed with warmth.

Maybe I’ll let you watch me take it off myself.

I like the sound of that. Get some good rest. You won’t be getting much sleep tonight.

My stomach did a funny twist. Suddenly, I felt wet on my br**sts. Darn Max, he made me wet in more places than one. Max’s text had aroused me. Before I could text him back, Becky’s named flashed.

“Hello, Becky.”

“Did you get a letter from Max this morning by any chance?” She sounded very hesitant to ask.

“Yes, I did.”

“Oh good. Then I didn’t spoil anything.”

“Don’t worry. You didn’t. I know we’re going out to dinner together. So, what does your note say?”

Becky laughed. “Those boys are too cute. Mine said, ‘Dear Mommy, Daddy wants to take you out to dinner with Uncle Max and Auntie Jenna. Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Robert will be coming over to take care of me at 5:30. Check inside your closet. Daddy wants you to wear something special. I know you will look beautiful in it. Have a great time and don’t worry about me. Love, Addison’.”

After we compared notes, we hung up as our laughter lingered. Walking up the stairs, I couldn’t wait to see what Max had in the closet for me. At first I couldn’t find it. Off to the side was a white box with a large red ribbon on it. How could I have missed it? But I was glancing inside a massive walk in closet anyway. After I untied it, I opened the box and pulled out a silky black dress. With spaghetti straps, the dress was simple, yet elegant.

As I admired the dress, I draped it on my body to take a look in the mirror. My body wasn’t back to its original weight yet, but I was fine with it. Instead of being insecure about it, I decided to be bold, and I would make sure Max wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes off me. The sound of Connor’s cry got my attention; so did the weight of my full br**sts.

“You look stunning, beautiful, and edible.” The way he said those words came out slow and seductive. Max was leaning against the wall, watching me slip into my black heels. He wore a dark silver suit, but it was the way he looked in it that had my heart pounding and made me feel aroused tingles. Max wore suits very well. It was hard not to stare, and it was hard to look away. We hadn’t even kissed and he was already making me want to rip off my panties for him.

“So do you,” I said, trying not to tip over as I finished the last strap of my heels. Max was making me nervous from the way his eyes were dark and greedy. “There. I’m ready now.” I casually moved one step at a time toward him, trying to look as seductive as I could.

“I can watch you do that all day, Mrs. Knight. I’m going to be thinking of you doing that during dinner.” Max’s hot breath brushed my neck. “I might not make it past dinner.”

“Max.” I ran my hand across his chest and another wave of want coursed through me. “Why wait for after dinner when you can have dessert first?”

Max growled at the same time as he gripped my ass. “Don’t tempt me, Jenna. I’m really considering taking your offer, but we’ll be late. I want to taste and savor every single space of your body.”