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“You fucked up so you have to fix it. They think you’re embarrassed to be seen with them. You have to show them you’re not embarrassed and are willing to show it to all. Including your body. You show off your body and tell them exactly what you expect them to do,” Olivia said. “Isn’t that your thing?”

“Yeah. Yes, it is,” Annabel said. “This thing barely covers my bum.”

“Yeah, and your men will love it,” Olivia said. “What coat are you wearing?”

“I don’t have a shirt yet,” Annabel said.

“Yes, you do,” Olivia said. “You and I are going shopping for sexy stuff. I’m making you buy more clothes to torment your men. Video chat with me. I need to see you.”

“I don’t know about this,” Annabel switched to video.

“Where’s your mask?”

“It’s right here,” Annabel tied it in place.

“Wear a splashy coat. Something outrageous. So, when you take it off, it makes a statement.”

“I’ve got my fluffy winter jacket. It’s longer than this skirt.”

“Perfect. You’ll be all leg getting out of the car. If they happen to see you, it will be hot.”

“I do not know if I can pull this off.”

“You can do this. You have conquered the business world. You can get your heart’s desire. You look amazing. Go get your men,”

“Thanks for the pep talk,” Annabel blew her daughter a kiss and hung up. She added the glitter lotion Ryan loved to her breasts and thighs and the scent Andrew loved to her neck, behind her knees, and her wrists.

She fluffed her hair and let it lay but she added glitter spray to brighten it up. She stood for a long moment staring in the mirror. Would they love this look? Was she daring enough to go out looking like this? Her legs seemed to go on forever, her breasts bubbled over the top of the bustier, and her waist appeared narrower than normal.

She took a deep breath and nodded once. “They’re mine. No one else can have them.” The echo of her heels followed her out of her apartment and down to the car. The driver gawked at her, “Ma’am,” he opened the door for her.

“You know our destination,” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he responded immediately.

She patted his cheek, “You stay ready. I won’t be long and I’ll have guests when I return.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he offered her his hand as she slid into the car. He closed the door and got behind the wheel to drive.

“It’s crowded,”Ryan said.

“A lot of people without partners,” Andrew said. “See anyone we know?”

“They’re all wearing masks,” Ryan said. “I don’t recognize anyone.”

“Let’s get a drink and wander,” Andrew said.

“I don’t want to be here,” Ryan said. “I’d rather go to Annabel’s and make up with her.”

“Me too,” Andrew said. “Do you think she’d welcome us?”

“I don’t know,” Ryan said.

“I miss her but she told us to come here. We’ll make a round and then we’ll get the hell out of here,” Andrew said. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Yeah. Okay. We can swing by her place and see if she’ll let us in,” Ryan said.

“Fuck this,” Andrew felt his head pounding. “Can we get out of this crowd? Let’s just go.”

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