Chapter TWENTY-SIX

MEREDITH

Why am I so nervous?

It was ridiculous.

There was a time when I could afford all the top fashions.

I’d been spoiled and petted and praised most of my early life. But that was mostly because people were sucking up to me or my father, er, stepfather.

Anyway, it had been years since I had anywhere fancy to go. I felt nauseated, and the butterflies in my stomach were more like fighter jets.

I barely ate all afternoon.

I knew it was silly. Josef had seen, caressed, touched, and kissed every inch of my soft, curvy body.

He knew where all my freckles were. Saw and loved on all my pink bits.

It was completely ludicrous for me to feel self-conscious. Especially in clothes.

And yet, here I am, chewing my lipstick off.

I ran my hands over my soft belly and bit my lip as I waited for my husband to come pick me up.

But will he like it?

He bought it, so he should. I mean, he told me he was buying me something to wear.

But he went a little overboard.