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“You are not a cow,” Gabriel clipped “You’re pregnant And beautiful”

She avoided his eyes “I can’t stand in front of that mirror I’ll look like a bus—from three different directions”

“Nonsense” He took the drink out of her hand, placing it on the low table nearby “Take off your clothes”

“What?”

“I said take off your clothes”

She backed away fro closer

She looked up at him His blue eyes ar toto help you see what I see when I look at you” He beckoned to her and she moved to him

He placed his hand on her shoulders and kissed her forehead “Pick so you think is pretty and try it on I’ll sit over there withhere, we’ll go soainst hi her sides up and down

She sighed and picked a few satin hangers, carrying them to the far corner, where there was a series of hooks on the wall

Gabriel smiled as he sat in a leather club chair, which was positioned a few feet away, facing the mirror He made sure to keep his back to her while she undressed, not wanting to upset her

He helped hi the clothes rack In deference to Julia’s modesty, he hadn’t requested the e over the brsts, for exas that made her feel confident and sexy, not self-conscious and cold

Although soht push her boundaries, he wasn’t interested in upsetting her This was supposed to be fun and, he hoped, inspirational

“It’s a little tight,” she called to hiht Come over where I can see you” He kept his eyes fixed on the mirror, aler size”

“I gave Patricia your measurements”

“You did what?” She almost shrieked “But I’ “Come—here”

She took a deep breath and walked toward the mirror

Gabriel felt his heart stutter in his chest

Julia stood wearing a Syble babydoll, which was black chiffon and embroidered with small pink flowers She’d kept on her black maternity panties but had added a pair of black seas, pulled up just to below her baby bu,” he said

She stood to the side of thebetween the panels of black chiffon to her sto her backside