A designer dress I’d saved for months to buy, the one splurge I allowed myself before the baby.
“I just want one moment where I feel like me again,” I told him.
That told me everything.
“You always look great to me,” he said, kissing my forehead.
I wanted to believe him.
***
We arrived at the coastal rental by early afternoon.
The driveway was crowded with his siblings’ cars.
Diane, my MIL, stood on the porch like a queen inspecting her court.
“There she is,” she called, arms open. “Come here, honey.”
I wanted to believe him.
She hugged me, but her eyes did the real work.
They scanned me from hair to sandals in one slow, deliberate sweep.
“Well,” she said, patting my cheek. “Motherhood certainly keeps you busy, doesn’t it.”
“It does,” I said carefully. “Thank you for having us, Diane.”
“Of course. Family is everything.”
Dylan’s sister waved from the kitchen.
