More shopping, but first lunch

It's already almost 1:00 PM, and Alice seems to have planned the day out more than you would have expected, leading you to a nearby steakhouse where she orders both of you salads. Normally you'd have turned your nose up at such rabbit food, but for some reason the first bite is one of the most delicious things you'd ever tasted. The crisp lettuce bursts with flavor, the light vinaigrette dances on your tongue.

"I don't know if you kept track of all the side uses we had the market exploration team looking into, but it turns out there's a significant genetic component to taste buds..."

She says it pointedly as you happily munch on the lightly sauced greens, your new sensitivity making every crunch vivid.

"Wait, really? You changed my taste buds?"

Not for the first time, you wonder what else she's messed with.

"Hey, uh, when you were setting things up... you didn't..."

"I didn't touch your mind, don't worry. I wouldn't do that to you. Well, I guess technically your female hormones will have some impact, especially emotionally, but you're still you."

You let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding.

"Thank you..."

"Besides, from what I read of your fantasies, it's not like I needed to turn you into a little subby sex fiend."

You nearly **** on a mouthful of grilled chicken, your fork clanging to the ground. Alice giggles, and you soon join her,

As you're catching your breath Alice flags down the waiter and requests some champagne.

After you're one flute down and halfway through another, Alice broaches a topic you weren't prepared for.

"So... What do you think about Geoffrey?"

"The driver?"

"No, the plumber. Of course the driver. He's cute, right?"

You blush bright red and stammer, heat rising to your cheeks in a way that's both new and intoxicating. This is your wife talking about another man... but you're not a man anymore, so it can't really be "another" man. The thought sends a confusing thrill through your core, your new body responding with a subtle warmth between your legs.

"You... do... you... him??"

"As articulate as always, but not me. you. You and him. It wasn't mostly girls you wrote about liking on those forums."

She was right, of course. You had trouble explaining it, but you were never interested in guys as Trevor. Men were just... there, unappealing in that context. But when you had thought about being Penny, guys were definitely the focus. Strong hands, commanding presence, the idea of being taken... it had fueled so many secret sessions. Now, with Geoffrey's polite smile and suited frame fresh in your mind, the fantasy feels dangerously close to reality. Your pulse quickens, and you shift in your seat, the lace of your new lingerie brushing sensitively against your skin.

Alice watches you closely, her eyes sparkling with mischief and something deeper. This was a new connection in shared appreciation that wasn't there before.

"Come on, Penny. Be honest with me. I'm not saying you need to fuck him... But you could at least use some practice flirting."

You take another swallow of the bubbly liquid to stall. Trading future decision making for a strategic moment to think and squandering it as you come back with nothing.

"I guess I could try..."

A pause followed as you realized you had no idea how to flirt as a woman.

"Uh Alice, I don't know how."

"How to what?"

"Flirt. Even as a guy I had no idea. We met in a chemistry lab and my successful opener was to ask you if you had a copy of the syllabus. I haven't exactly practiced since then"

Alice let out a snort and hugged you.

"It's true, and to tell you the truth I was never good at it either. But we're smart, maybe we can figure it out together."

You really loved this woman and felt somehow closer to her now than you ever had as man.