Love Thy Neighbor

Chapter 52

The next day is rough. Shawn leaves early in the morning. I want to keep sleeping after he leaves, but Lila is up and ready to start the day.

I try to wake up with a strong cup of coffee while she eats her breakfast in the high chair. It's not really helping. I think I got maybe two hours of sleep.

I get a text from Kendra as I pour my second cup.

Kendra: Did I see someone leaving your house before sunrise?

Me: Maybe ;)

Kendra: It finally happened!

Kendra: You got back together!

Kendra: And you got laid!

Me: You are half right.

Kendra: I don't know which half I want to be true

Me: We're back together.

Me: But no sex.

Kendra: ???

Kendra: The rule is you don't have to wait when you get back together with an ex

Kendra: You can jump right in where you left off

Me: Can you just come over? I don't want to type all this out.

Ten minutes later, she's sitting with me with her coffee.

"So here's the thing," I start. "I had a baby. I have stretch marks. I weigh a bit more. My boobs are different because I am nursing. I don't know if I want him to see all that."

Kendra nods knowingly. "I hear you. Having a baby is not exactly kind to a woman's body. But he loves you, right? I doubt those small imperfections would even matter to him."

"Before me, he dated models or women who looked like models. After we broke up, that's what he went back to. I just worry that my mom-bod will be a bit too average for him."

"You can either just let him see you or you can talk to him about it first," Kendra advises.

I sigh. "Yeah, I know."

Kendra goes home since her family is headed to her sister's for a post-Christmas lunch. Lila and I are playing in the living room when my phone dings.

Shawn: What are you up to, beautiful?

Me: Lila is playing with her hundred new toys while I am trying to stay awake.

Shawn: Not enough sleep last night?

Me: Thanks to you!

Shawn: Worth it

Me: Yes.

Shawn: I told the fam we were back together. There may have been applause and cheering.

Me: I told Kendra. I should probably let Elsie, Liz, and Jules know. Elsie will tell my parents.

Me: Fuck. And David. I promised him I'd tell him.

Shawn: He knew it was coming

Me: I know.

Shawn: You and Delilah should come over for lunch later. We have so many leftovers.

Me: I really need to nap when she naps today after lunch.

Shawn: Come over now. My mom would love to babysit and you and I can nap.