“Please don’t ever tell Shea that you called sex with him ‘nice’.”

“We didn’t have sex,” Elli informed her, as she saved the pictures and shut the program down. When she looked over at Harper, she was just staring at Elli.

“What do you mean y’all didn’t have sex? I picked you up from his house.”

“We didn’t, we just cuddled and went to sleep. What?” she asked when Harper started looking at her like she was crazy.

“That’s depressing El, you had a fine piece of man meat lying right beside you and you didn’t even touch him?”

“We made out a little, and then went to sleep,” Elli said with a shrug as she passed by Harper. Harper followed her down the hall to the front room and stood by as Elli set up for the newborn baby she had coming in shortly.

“Are you crazy? You’re still trying to hide your body, aren’t you?! I thought you talked to him about it.”

“We did, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to have sex with him now. I’m scared, Harp, let me be.”

“Sex is nothing to be scared of. Do it, you’ll like it. I promise.”

Elli shook her head. Of course she wanted to have sex with Shea, but the thought just terrified her.

“I probably wouldn’t even know how to do it,” she admitted quietly, “It’s been years, Harp. Not only would I be scared because he’d be seeing me naked, but then I would be crazy nervous that I would mess something up.”

“El, it’s pretty cut and dry. One thing goes in the other, and magic happens. Plus, it’s like riding a bike. You never forget,” she said with a devilish smile, while Elli rolled her eyes.

“But if you’re nervous about it, just do it in steps. Tell him you’re ready to take making out to another level, but not ready for sex.”

“Does the next level of making out involve me showing him my body?”

“Why, yes, it does.”

“Then I’m not ready,” Elli said as the door opened and a young couple came in with a bright pink car seat that, no kidding, had feathers on it.

“Hello! Welcome to Time Standing Still. I’m Elli.”

And off she went, into photographer mode, putting her issues of sex and Shea in the back of her mind as she worked. But like always, Shea managed to make an appearance, especially when the father of the baby kissed the mommy’s neck. It made Elli think of him, since he loved doing that. Elli sighed as she positioned the beautiful baby girl on a bright pink flower pillow. What would it be like if this was her baby and Shea was standing behind her, kissing her neck?

It would be her happily-ever-after.

Shea sat in his condo, waiting on Elli. She was running late, but she had texted and already warned him, saying the baby shower ran over a little. He sat in his black Armani suit, with a light blue shirt underneath and no tie. The first two buttons of his shirt were open. He had his favorite black Chucks on, as well as his glasses, since Elli didn’t mind them. She kind of liked them, which made him happy since he hated his contacts. He got up, going to the kitchen for a glass of wine, when the door opened. Elli sailed through, going straight by him to the bedroom.

“I’m so sorry!” she called as she rushed into the room, shutting the door. He shook his head with a smile as the door opened back up and she stood there gawking at him.

“Damn, Mr. Adler, you’re looking mighty fine.” He smiled, smoothing his jacket down.

“Why, thank you.” She gave him a wink, and then shut the door. Shea smiled and poured himself some wine before going back into the living room to wait. It seemed so normal, so comfortable. Him, waiting on his girl. He liked it, he thought with a shrug and a smile. He watched all of Sports Center before Elli finally emerged. She looked so damn hot, it was hard for him to breathe. Her hair was in big curls that framed her face and shoulders. Her pretty little thighs were peeking out from underneath the wide skirt, and her beautifully sculpted ankles were brought out by the high heels she wore.

God, she was gorgeous.

“Damn, Elli. I can’t take you out in public, I’ll be fighting everyone at the damn party.” She grinned, coming towards him. He noticed her lips were painted red, and luscious was the only word that came to his mind. He wrapped her up in his arms, pressing her closer against him.

“I could say the same about you, you know.”

“You could, but you don’t have to, because I have eyes only for you.”

“Sure,” she teased as she leaned up, kissing him softly on his lips.

“Mm, come back here,” he said when she pulled back. He covered her mouth with his, kissing her the way he had been wanting to all day. He had missed her, a lot. Waking up with her in his house had kept her on his mind all day. If it was like this now, without the sex, no telling what it would be like when they finally did it. He would never be able to take his hands off of her.

“Mm, goodness, do I even have lipstick on still?” she asked as she looked up at him. She giggled as she wiped his mouth.

“I guess not, you might want to wipe that off, while I reapply,” she said as she walked back into the bedroom. He had a crooked grin on his face as he wiped the smeared lipstick off of his mouth. When she reappeared, new lipstick applied, they gathered their things and left.

Alex Welch and his wife, Mary Ann, always held the opening game party at Union Station, which was a ritzy hotel in downtown Nashville. Shea loved the place, he thought it was beautiful and the food was always amazing. He was really excited about taking Elli there, because he was pretty sure she hadn’t been there before. After giving his truck keys to the valet, Shea led Elli inside, his hand on the small of her back. As they walked through the beautiful hotel to the banquet hall, he could tell that Elli was nervous. She was chewing on her lip and moving her hands a lot. He finally took her hand in his, squeezing lightly.