To the mall!

Aimee was looking smug as you turned back to her, feeling exhilarated. You had a job! Maybe not a great job, but still! You smiled across the table at her. You didn't say it, but you thanked her with your eyes.

"Congrats on your new job!" Aimee said, then continued, "how about we get you something cute at the mall to celebrate!" Before you knew it, she'd dragged you out of the restaurant and into the mall.

Your shopping experience started out a bit dull, as Aimee dragged you into shop after shop. You tried to be polite, but none of them seemed to have anything you liked.

Aimee was determined though, and after more than an hour of fending her off, you gave in to her demands and started trying on a few new articles you could wear at home.

"You have such a great body," She gushed, as you walked out of a dressing room in an outfit that was little more than a slip and heels. "That one looks *totally* hot and I *guarantee* that you'll have to fend your man off with a stick wearing that! ...Or just let him have his way with you, you know?"

"You don't think it's a bit much?" You asked, fingering the short hem and very conscious at the way the fabric clung to your butt and your chest. "I don't normally wear anything this... revealing."

"Stefi, guys are-"

"Stephanie," you corrected. It bothered you to hear your name shortened.

"Steph-a-nie," she continued, emphasizing each syllable with an eye roll. "Guys are only interested in one thing when it comes to women. You can ignore it, or you can take advantage of it! And personally, it's a lot more fun to flaunt what you've got." Aimee gave you a flirty wink, and then walked toward you, her hips rolling in a practiced sway. Surprised at the sudden attention, you backed into the open dressing room door behind you. She followed you into the room, then stopped less than a foot away and shook her hips and chest emphatically. She winked at you again. "Boys are interested in our bodies, not our brains. It's just a fact."

"Listen Aimee..." you started nervously, but she stopped you with a finger softly placed at your lips. Your eyes crossed briefly, focusing on her finger, and you caught the scent of peaches again.

"All I'm saying," she said softly, "is that you could TRY breaking out of your shell a little bit. Okay? You've got a great body, and from what I heard from Greg yesterday, you could use some pointers on how to show it off."

You felt a spark of indignant rage at the thought of this woman judging you and your relationship with your husband. Things weren't perfect between you and Greg, but you loved each other and were happy together! What had Greg told her, anyway?

You took a deep breath, ready to tell her to mind her own business, and then started coughing as you inhaled a lungful of perfume from her wrist. Eyes watering, you waved her back and plopped down on the bench in the dressing room. Your breath was hot; the room spun wildly again... something was very wrong here. Seconds passed as you tried to catch your breath, waving Aimee back. Her perfume was nice, but it was taking some getting used to.

"Steph, are you okay?" She backed off immediately, giving you more space and a brief chance to get some air, handed you a tissue to clear your eyes, then sat down next to you as your breathing steadied.

Your head spun (or was it the room?) as you tried to collect your thoughts. What were you about to say? "You really think it looks hot?" You asked in a small voice. It must have been something about the outfit. "Greg hasn't been that interested in me lately... Last night we just went right to bed." It hasn't seemed like a problem at the time, but if he'd been talking about you with strangers...

"Fuck him!" She giggled, "...or *fuck* him. Either way, you look delicious and you should enjoy it."

*Fucking sounds nice...* said a voice in your head, *...fucking Greg, or whoever.*

You felt hot and your breath was coming too fast. Impulsively you pulled Aimee into a quick hug. "Thanks Aimee... I'll try to be a bit less uptight."

"...and to have a bit more fun!" Aimee added, giggling again. Her laugh was infectious and you found yourself joining her. "A girl has needs, you know?"

*You need to fuck. Sex is fun.* You felt warm again, and inexplicably aroused. *It's been a long time.*

You took a few deep breaths, clearing your head. You needed to talk to Greg. "Let's focus on the clothes for now, Aimee. What else should I get?" Somewhere along the line, you'd decided to buy this outfit.

The next hours flew by, as you fleshed out your wardrobe with some new clothes, heels, and (laughing nervously about it) lingerie. You modeled each piece for Aimee, who made encouraging noises and gradually steered you toward the most fashionable choices.

The whole while Aimee went on about your clothing choices, comparing them with celebrity fashions. Before you knew it, you had spent almost 500 dollars and were packing several bags into her car, ready to leave the mall together.

The crowning achievement of your day at the mall was a bit embarrassing: you'd spent over a hundred dollars on a sexy red bra-and-panties combination from Laci's Secret to "thank" Greg for all his help with the move. The top was a cute front-close push up bra that Aimee said made your chest look "delicious" and the panties had a cutout in the back shaped like a heart. You were still nervous about it as you checked out, but Aimee's appreciative eyes on you had sealed the deal.

You still weren't sure how you felt about her as you got into the car. Aimee turned to you and asked, "So... back to my place? Or yours? I don't have any plans, but I don't want to impose, either."