And the baby? At night Cage rested his hand on my tummy in a gentle way he had never done before. Perfection. It was the only word to describe my life in those moments. I was desperate to feel something… tender breasts, nausea, unusual fatigue, anything that would confirm that I was pregnant since it had been too early to take a pregnancy test. My family would lose their shit if they knew I’d been praying that I was pregnant.
“Love!” Thaddeus greeted me at the studio where the photoshoot was scheduled.
“Hey, sorry I had to delay this.”
“Fine, fine. We’re good.” He hugged me, but tighter than he usually hugged me, and his quick ‘fine, fine” brushoff was out of character for my anal retentive boss. Something was up.
I almost shared my possible baby news just because he was in such rare, agreeable form that day, but before I could open my mouth to speak, he said something that rendered me speechless and robbed all baby thoughts.
“So…” he smiled or grimaced, maybe a little of both “…I did mention today’s shoot is nude, right?” He blinked rapidly.
I didn’t blink at all. “Please tell me ‘nude’ is code for no makeup.”
“Oh God no! You’ll have full makeup, but… aside from makeup and the new leg I’ve made for you, you won’t be wearing anything else.”
“Thad—”
“Wait! Before you try to object, let me tell you that this is going to be the most beautiful and artistic shoot you have ever done,andthe write-up that goes with it will knock your socks off. I’ve already read it, except for the quotes from you and a few of the other models that will be added. It’s about body image and what makes people beautiful. It’s about confidence… that little thing you were low on when we met. Remember?”
“But you’re asking me to pose naked.”
Thad tipped his chin down, pinning me with wide eyes.
I sighed. “It’s justabody. Who I am existed before it and will continue tobelong after it’s gone. I’m so much more than the flesh that covers my remaining bones.”
Thad grinned as he nodded once. “And?”
Another sigh. “And…” It still choked me up to say the words—the same words I made Shayna say the day I got arrested. “I’m beautiful.”
His metal finger tapped my nose. “I shouldn’t have hired you.”
I frowned.
Thad shrugged. “I should have dated you. Stupid me.” He walked toward the photographers setting up their equipment as a woman with a blond ponytail longer than that of an actual pony and a fake-white smile smeared with a bit of red lipstick motioned for me to follow her. My steps felt heavy under the weight of Thad’s confession, the one he said with the ease of announcing his regret of getting steak for lunch instead of chicken.
My phone chimed just as I dropped my bag in the dressing room to get into wardrobe, which did in fact turn out to be an actual white robe that would get discarded before I stepped in front of the camera.
Cage:Penny has to leave town. Family emergency. Her dad had a stroke. I’m in charge of Trzy. Do you think she’ll piss all over my place if I take her there?”
Lake:Is Penny’s dad okay?
Cage:He’s in the hospital but that’s all I know. She was going to message you but didn’t want to worry you since you seemed stressed over leaving Shayna.
Lake:Have you seen Judy? She’s like 100!
Cage:Be nice. Banks said she’s only 85.
Lake:Lol. Sorry. Trzy loves you. You can take her anywhere as long as she has a litter box and food. She’s too much of a diva to piss on your floor. Just make sure you have a waterbowl for her and take her laser pen to play with her.
Cage:So now I have to play with her too?
Lake:Do I have to beg you to play with my pussy?
Cage:Knock that shit off. I don’t need an erection before my massage.
Lake:Another massage? It sure is rough being you. Play with Trzy and pet her too. Lots of petting.
Cage:She’s hairless. I’m not sure she likes it.
