Wicked as Lies (Wicked & Devoted #3) - Shayla Black Page 0,14

changed channels until she found a semi-entertaining cooking show.

Twenty minutes and a good burp later, she changed Hallie in her attached bathroom, then peppered her baby’s soft face with kisses. “You want to play?”

Hallie’s big eyes lit up. They were still blue, but a hint of green was creeping in. Tessa hoped her daughter got her eyes, but she still saw bits of Cash in Hallie’s darker hair and wide mouth. In fact, her baby was changing more every day, at a pace she could hardly believe. It was almost too fast for Tessa to keep up with.

She spread out Hallie’s favorite activity mat for newborns and positioned a few strategic pillows around, just in case, then set her daughter down, tummy first. “Have fun, sweet pea. Mommy is going to take a quick shower.”

Hopefully, she’d feel less dirty, but it seemed that no matter how often she grabbed a quick rinse, she still felt grungy all the time. Given her leaking breasts and having a baby who spit up more often than not, she wasn’t surprised. Throw in sporadic sleep and an unseasonably humid day, and Tessa felt positively grimy.

A few times during her shower, she peeked out to make sure Hallie was happy and okay. As usual, the baby seemed fascinated by the pink elephant with the teething ring around its neck and the bright page of the cloth book.

Funny how perspective changed everything. In college, a hot shower had merely been something she’d taken to get clean. Often, it had been her first step in getting ready to hit the bars with her girlfriends. Now, it was a lovely luxury she looked forward to each night. Hair-washing day was an extra special twice-a-week treat. But tonight, she reveled in massaging her scalp and a slow combing of her deep conditioner. The experience was almost soothing and sensual.

How much better would this shower be with Zy?

The thought blindsided Tess, and after the ridiculous thought, she rushed through her rinse.

He wouldn’t be interested in her. Hell, she didn’t recognize her own body anymore. Her breasts were heavy and subject to gravity in a way they hadn’t been before. During her last two weeks of pregnancy, the cocoa butter had quit working. Now, a handful of stretch marks spread low on her belly. Her middle looked doughy, and she still had nearly ten pounds to drop. At the follow-up appointment with her obstetrician yesterday, she’d gotten the green light to start exercising again. Now she needed to find the time and energy. Unfortunately, when Hallie went down for her evening nap, Tessa often needed one, too.

How would she find the energy to go back to work next week?

She sighed. That was a problem for tomorrow. Things would get better eventually, right? And if she never got back the kind of body that looked great in a clingy Lycra dress while she danced the night away… Well, the time to grow up had come, and she wouldn’t trade her little life with Hallie for anything.

Sure, she’d pictured having a husband and children while surrounded by her family and friends. That would have made everything so much easier and happier. Not having her mother to rely on as she’d become a mother herself had left a hole in her heart. But she couldn’t change what was. She could only start over with Hallie, and together, they’d trek this adventure called life.

Tessa prayed it would be a good one.

A few minutes later, she stepped from the shower and wrapped herself in clean towels. Hallie squealed in delight as she played on her mat, making Tessa smile. Yeah, everything would be all right. And if Zy unnerved her… Well, he wouldn’t be here for long. Not nearly long enough to make an impression in her life, much less a dent in her heart.

She slipped into the pajamas on top of the clean pile—pink cotton with a V-neck trimmed in soft lace. There was nothing sexy about them.

As she braided her wet hair, she sighed. Zy probably dated hot women. The sort people used to consider her. The ones in those stretchy dresses that clung to every sinful curve. The kind who could pull off false lashes, red lipstick, and stilettos.

Yeah, that wasn’t her anymore.

Not that it mattered. He was a temporary bodyguard and a future co-worker, period.

Once she’d secured her braid, she scooped Hallie up and kissed her pink cheeks. Her baby returned her big smile, which turned Tessa’s heart upside down. Then she