I’M PRETTY SURE my body was sparkling.
If it wasn’t, then it should have been.
Not only had my hair been cut and styled to perfection, but I’d also had my body buffed, cleansed, and shined. I kind of felt like a car getting a major detailing. I couldn’t say I hated it, though. There had never been a time when I was pampered like this, and I was going to allow myself to enjoy it.
A makeup artist expertly applied my makeup while someone else painted my nails in a pale pink.
The other girls sat chatting off to the side.
“And done.” The makeup artist—named Kara, took a step back and let me finally see my reflection in the mirror.
My hair had been trimmed, and my normal waves had been styled straight and sleek. The makeup was impeccable, but not over dramatic.
“Thank you,” I told Kara. “I’d give you a hug, but…” I nodded at the woman doing my nails.
Kara laughed. “I’m glad you like it. Enjoy your evening.”
She packed up her supplies and went to help someone else.
Within a few minutes my nails were done, which I was grateful for since my butt had long since gone numb.
“How do you feel?” Sadie asked.
“Amazing,” I replied honestly. “And that facial was everything dreams are made of.”
Sadie’s laughter rang through the room. “We have to get you out more.”
“Well, it’s kind of hard to do these things when I have a kid,” I mumbled.
“I know.” Sadie reached out and gave my arm a squeeze. “Even so, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your needs. Everyone needs ‘me’ time now and then.”
I eyed her, suppressing a laugh. “Tell me that again when you have children.”
She snorted. “Me? A child? I can’t even imagine.”
“You don’t want kids?” I asked, completely surprised.
“No, I do,” she rushed to assure me, “it’s just…with everything that’s happened in my life in the past few months kids are the last thing on my mind.”
“Can’t say I blame you,” I shrugged. “Although, between those two,” I pointed to Remy and Emma, “you’re going to end up getting baby fever.”
Sadie busted into laughter. “Yeah, probably. But Ezra better put a ring on this,” she began to dance, waving around her left hand, “before he even thinks about putting a baby in me.” She settled and clapped her hands together, sobering. “Phase One is complete. Now we move on to Phase Two.”
“What’s Phase Two?” I was a bit afraid to know. I mean, this part hadn’t been bad, but who knew what Sadie had up her sleeve.
“Shopping, of course.”
“I should’ve known.”
“Ladies!” She called to Emma and Remy and they immediately snapped to attention. “It’s time to go shopping.”
There was something about the way she said the word shopping that had me worried.
I was drug from the building and into the SUV waiting outside.
Sadie rattled off an address to the guy driving and I settled into my seat, knowing that with this traffic it could take us an hour to go five blocks.
When we finally stopped outside a store my mouth dropped open.
“Have you lost your mind?” I shrieked at Sadie, pointing out the window at the displays of sexy lingerie. “I can’t wear that! That covers nothing!”
“Stop being dramatic.” She shook her head at me and slipped from the vehicle. I stayed seated. “So help me God, Arden, I will climb in that vehicle and drag your ass out here if I have to.”
I took a deep, steadying breath. I knew she’d make good on her threat if I didn’t get moving.
I climbed out of the car, Remy and Emma already waiting on the street with Sadie.
The bodyguards stayed in the car and I was thankful that they weren’t about to witness my complete embarrassment.
“Come on,” Sadie grabbed my hand, hauling me forward, “it won’t be as bad as you think.”
It was worse.
Once we entered the store the garments only became skimpier and more lavish.
The thin, barely-there, lingerie oozed money. I was sure a pair of underwear cost more than I made in a month.
The marble floors shined beneath my feet and above us a huge chandelier shimmered, casting rainbows throughout the large space.
“Can I help you?” A saleswoman strode up to us, all business.
“Yes,” Sadie stepped forward, dragging me with her, “our friend Arden here has a hot date tonight, and we need her to look sexy. Not only for her man, but for herself.”
“I’m sure we’ll be able to find something. I’ll set up a room for you. Are you ladies shopping as well?” She looked from Sadie to Emma and Remy.
“Possibly.” Remy reached out, running her fingers along the black lace of a bra that left little to the imagination. “Maybe when I’m not breastfeeding,” she added as an afterthought, her hand falling away as she sighed.
The four of us followed the sales lady back to an elegant changing room. There was a large space with lounge chairs set up between the dressing room and we took a seat while we waited for her to come back.
My hands shook with nerves and I buried them between my knees in the hopes of stilling them.
The woman returned what felt like an eternity later with several different items in varying colors.
She hung up the items in one of the rooms and motioned for me to enter.
I stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind me.
“Don’t freak out!” Sadie called.
“Too late,” I mumbled.
I grabbed the first item, a lacey pale pink bra and pantie set.
I shoved my fear down and removed my clothes so that I could slip into the lingerie. I had to admit, it fit well, but that didn’t change the fact that it was see-through. Not even kidding. You could see my nipples.
Oh dear God.
I’d never worn anything this revealing, and definitely not since my pregnancy.
My body had changed after I had Mia.
My curves were fuller and there were still the faint lines of stretch marks on my stomach.
I wasn’t ashamed, but it was hard not to be embarrassed at the thought of prancing around in something like this.
“Arden!” Sadie pounded on the door. “Let us see.”
“Uh…”
“Oh my God, you’re not embarrassed are you? Come on, we’re all girls here! If it makes you feel better I’ll strip down to my skivvies. I happen to be wearing Thor today.”
Before she could ramble anymore I opened the door, resisting the urge to hide my body with my arms.
Remy let out a wolf whistle. “Look at you hot mama!”
I hid my face in my hands.
Sadie pinched my side. “Why are you embarrassed? You’re hot!”
“It’s just weird,” I admitted, “I feel so exposed.”
“That’s kind of the point.” She eyed me. “Anyway, this isn’t the one. You need something sexier.”
“Sexier?” My voice spiked in pitch. “Isn’t this sexy?!”
“Yeah,” she shrugged, “it’s just a little too sweet.”
“You can see my nipples.”
“I noticed that.” She laughed. “But it’s not good enough. You need something so hot that the moment he sees you in it he comes in his pants.”
“Um…”
“Just trust me.” She pushed me back into the dressing room.
I tried on another set, this time in black. It covered more skin, but was still sexy. I felt more comfortable in it but as soon as she saw it Sadie vetoed it.
“Let me see what you have in there.”
Before I could respond she strode past me and into the room.
“No, no, maybe, yes!” She cried triumphantly. “This one!”
She shoved the silky garment into my hands. “It’s white,” I said unnecessarily.
“Guys dig the whole innocent virgin look. Just trust me on this. And that garter belt…oh yeah, he’s gonna lose his mind.”
“Who said I’d be having sex tonight?” I countered.
She grinned and patted my head. “You’re so cute.”
She slipped out the door and closed it behind her.
“Put it on!” She yelled through the door.
I sighed and changed into the one she’d chosen.
I looked at myself in the mirror and let out a surprised gasp.
I had to admit, Sadie had been right.
The white popped against my creamy skin and made my red hair seem even redder. I wasn’t sure about virginal, but it was definitely sexy. Very sexy, actually.
The bra was lace and completely see-through with a matching set of panties. A lace corset type thing was wrapped around my middle with the ends of the garter belt dangling from it.
“Let me see!” Sadie pounded on the door, always impatient.
I opened the door and admitted, “You were right.”
“Ah!” Sadie clapped her hands together and began to do a victory dance. “Nailed it! That is perfect! Hayes is going to lose his mind. You can tell him to thank me later.” She winked.
I blushed, trying not to think about the purpose behind what I was wearing.
Yes, I’d slept with Hayes already.
But that had been months ago and we’d both had a few drinks. It had been entirely spontaneous.
I wasn’t sure lingerie was going to give me the courage to initiate anything as much as I might sort of want to.
Besides, Mia…
“Maddox and I will watch her all night if you’re okay with that,” Emma spoke up, almost as if she’d read my mind. “We better get used to taking care of a kid.” She rubbed her round stomach.
“Have you found out the gender yet?” I asked her, slipping back inside the dressing room to change into my clothes.
“Oh! That’s right, you don’t know yet!” I heard her clap her hands. “I’ll tell you when you come out.”
A few minutes later I opened the door and Emma burst out with, “It’s a girl!”
“Aw!” I ran over to hug her. “I’m so excited for you!”
“Thank you.” She glowed. “It has made it even more real knowing the baby is a girl. Maddox is absolutely giddy—and gloating. He was convinced it was a girl. I didn’t want to guess.”
“Do you have a name picked out?” I asked her, handing over my chosen garment to the saleslady.
“Willow Elise.”
“Willow?” I asked, surprised.
Emma nodded. “Willow Creek has a deep meaning for Maddox, beyond the band, so Willow was the only thing that made sense.”
“Well, it’s a beautiful name.”
We gathered our things and followed the saleslady to a cash register.
She rang up the items and Sadie handed over Hayes’ card.
Suddenly, my eyes landed on the total. “Wait, what?!” I screeched, causing everyone near us to turn and look at my outburst. “Almost two-thousand dollars for lingerie?!”
“This isn’t just any lingerie,” Sadie countered, “it’s La Perla.”
“And I’m going to pass out.” I fanned my face.
“Oh calm down.” She waved a hand in my direction. “Hayes can certainly afford it.”
“That’s not the point.” I tried to take a deep breath.
I’d only ever spent that much money on the down payment for my car. I would never dream of spending that kind of money on underwear. And only one pair at that.
Holy shit.
I needed a drink.
The saleslady handed me the bag and I wrapped stiff fingers around it.
“You need to wipe that deer in headlights look off your face.” Sadie told me as we headed for the exit.
“It’s just so much money,” I mumbled.
“Remember,” she stopped me with a gentle hand on my wrist, “this is just as much for him as it is for you.”
“I know, but I still don’t think that justifies—”
She put a hand over my mouth. “Zip it. I don’t want to hear it.” Letting her hand fall she turned to Remy and Emma. “All that’s left is a dress and some killer heels. There’s a store just around the corner that I think might have something so let’s just walk.”
“Sounds good.” Emma chimed as we stepped outside. She signaled to the bodyguards and they got out of the car to join us.
I followed behind the three girls, trying to stop obsessing over the cost of the fancy lingerie.
Sadie noticed me lingering and shook her head. “Arden, I swear to God if you’re still thinking about the cost I might smack you upside the head.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Do you think I could return them?”
“You’re not returning them.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand to pull me along. “You’re going to wear them.”
“Okay.”
Wiggling her brows, she added, “And you’ll be thanking me tomorrow.”
“I hope you’re right.”
She scoffed. “I’m always right. Oh! Here it is!”
She yanked me into a small boutique that was easily missed the way it was nestled between two larger stores.
The store was decorated in all black and white with pops of hot pink. Round black leather ottomans took up much of the floor space with racks of clothing lining the walls.
“You. Sit.” Sadie pushed me onto one of the ottomans. “Remy and I will find something for you.”
The two bodyguards took up residence beside the entrance and I felt bad for them that they were being subjected to this. It couldn’t have been very fun.
I startled when Emma joined me on the ottoman and flashed me a smile.
“Seriously, don’t worry about any of this.” Emma pointed to the bag I held and then the store around us. “Hayes told us to spoil you at any cost and he’d be pissed if we spared any expense.” She assured me. “I get it though. Maddox and I are married now and I still have a hard time letting him spoil me. I didn’t come from much,” she shrugged, “and I don’t need much. So when he does something outlandish for me sometimes it makes me feel guilty, but I shouldn’t feel that way because it makes him happy.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed, pulling in a lungful of air. “I’ll try not to feel so guilty about it.”
“What do you think of this dress?” Remy held up a tight, very revealing, black dress.
“Uh…”
Sadie snatched it from her hands. “No that’s too revealing. We need something a little classier. Like this…” She produced an emerald green dress.
“I like that one.” I admitted.
“Go try it on.” She strode over to me and shoved the dress in my arms. “Changing rooms are back there.” She pointed. “We’ll look for shoes and jewelry while you put it on.”
She turned her back and I knew I had been dismissed.
I walked into one of the empty changing rooms and drew the curtain closed.
I slid the dress up my body, the silky fabric hugging my curves. The neck dipped down only a bit, giving a small glimpse of cleavage but not enough to be obscene. The bottom of the dress ended just below my knees with a bit of it coming up higher in the front. Even I had to admit I felt good in it.
I opened the curtain and stepped out to find the girls waiting for me.
“You’re a bombshell!” Sadie squealed. “You have got to stop hiding your body!”
I ducked my head, hoping to hide the blush staining my cheeks.
“Here, put these on.” Sadie handed me a pair of gold pumps. I slipped them on and admired my reflection in the mirror.
“Damn, I’m good,” Sadie laughed, “Hayes might come in his pants before he even gets to the good stuff.”
I paled and an older woman coming out of a dressing room scoffed, sticking her nose up into the air as she passed us.
“Sadie,” I groaned, burying my face in my hands.
“What?” She batted her eyes innocently. “It’s not my fault some people are prudes.” Pushing me back into the dressing room, she said, “It’s obvious this dress is perfect. So get changed and we’ll head over to the hotel so we can make sure the guys haven’t burned down the building or anything.”
“They better not have done anything stupid.” Remy groaned through the curtain.
I heard Emma snort. “This is Maddox, Mathias, Ezra, and Hayes, with two kids, so they’re definitely up to no good.”
I changed quickly and after buying the dress, shoes, and a few pieces of jewelry Sadie insisted I needed, we headed down the block to the waiting SUV.
Forty minutes later we were let off outside the hotel.
Emma studied her phone as we went inside. “Maddox hasn’t responded to my text. That’s weird.”
“Whose room are they in?” I asked.
“We’re all staying in the penthouse suite,” Emma mumbled, still staring down at her phone.
We stepped into the elevator and headed to the top floor.
Remy produced a plastic keycard from her purse and waved it against the door.
“Oh. My. God.” She stopped in her tracks, staring at whatever was in front of her.
“What is it?” I asked, panic rising in my chest.
The three of us stepped behind her, peering around her shoulders.
“Oh my God,” we all echoed.
Hayes, Maddox, and Ezra sat around a table wearing dresses and makeup, with tiaras on their heads.
“Are you wearing my heels?!” Remy shrieked, storming towards Maddox.
Mathias chuckled from where he laid on the couch, bare-chested with his son sleeping on top. “I told you she’d rip you a good one.”
“Is that my dress too?! Why were you in my stuff? Jesus Christ! That’s my lipstick.” Remy pointed at Maddox’s mouth.
“We were playing dress up.” Maddox said, stating the obvious. He reached up to grab his hedgehog, Sonic, from his shoulder and held him in his hands.
“What Ms. Mia wants, Ms. Mia gets,” Hayes added.
I snorted. “She has you wrapped around her finger real tight. Nice crown.” I nodded at his head.
“Am I a beautiful princess?” He batted his eyes.
“You’re something else, that’s for sure.”
“There are bows in your hair.” Sadie laughed, standing beside Ezra. Shoving her hand into her pocket she said, “I have to get a picture of this.” She promptly began snapping photos of all of the guys.
Emma stepped up beside Maddox, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Are you going to play dress up with our daughter?”
He put his hand on her round stomach and grinned up at her. “Absolutely. Whatever my little girl wants me to do, that’s what I’ll do.”
Emma bent down and pressed a kiss to his stubbly cheek. “I love you,” she murmured.
I turned away before those two could get any more sickeningly cute.
I bent down beside the chair Mia occupied, a full tea set—a real one—sitting in front of her along with little sandwiches.
“Are you having a tea party?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Try it.”
She held out one of the finger sandwiches to me. I took a bite and she set it on the plate.
“Very good.” I told her, kissing the top of her head. “So you had fun.”
She nodded again and let out a giggle. “Lots!”
I turned my attention to Hayes and smiled at him. My stomach fluttered, full of a million feelings, when I looked at him. I was falling, falling hard and fast, and I was helpless to stop it.
“You make a pretty girl.” I told him with a wink.
He chuckled, staring right back at me unashamed. “It’s the hair, isn’t it?”
“Actually, I’m really digging that shade of lipstick on you.”
“I pitcked it!” Mia raised her hand triumphantly in the air.
“And that blue eye shadow really makes your eyes pop,” I continued.
“Really?” He smirked.
“Oh yeah, you should wear it more often.”
I let out a small scream when he reached out and grabbed me. He pulled me onto his lap and I wrapped my arms around his shoulder.
Smoothing his fingers down my cheek, he said, “You look beautiful. Did you have fun?”
“I did. Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.” He held my chin so I couldn’t look away. “It’s just like I didn’t have to do this.” He motioned to the dress and makeup he wore. “But I wanted to. I enjoy making you and Mia happy. So let me.”
In a rare moment of affection in front of our friends I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck. I felt his lips press tenderly against the side of my forehead and I relaxed into his hold.
“I better go shower and get ready.” He spoke after a minute of silence between us. Our friends had continued to buzz around us while we shared our moment.
I stood up from his lap and he disappeared into one of the bedrooms.
“You.” Sadie grabbed my hand forcefully, yanking me towards her. “It’s time to finish getting you ready.”
I took a deep breath and smiled over at Mia. “Do you want to help mommy get ready?”
She let out another giggle and climbed off the chair.
I let Sadie drag me into the room she was sharing with Ezra. She shoved me into the bathroom along with the shopping bags.
“Change.” She demanded, stepping out of the bathroom and closing the door. Through the door, she said, “Then we’ll touch up your makeup and go over a few things.”
“What kinds of things?” I opened the door a smidge so she’d hear me.
“Things,” was her only response.
I gulped in fear.
Something told me I didn’t want to know what kind of things she needed to discuss.
Regardless, I closed the door and changed into the lingerie and dress, fixing the garter belt onto the pair of stockings she’d somehow slipped into the bag.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my red hair brushing against my arms, and my amber eyes shining with happiness. My cheeks were stained with a flush and if I was honest, I was glowing.
And it was all because of Hayes.