I had just gotten home from work and changed into something a bit more practical when a Facebook message popped up from my nephew, Oliver.
"Hey Aunt Janet, hope you are doing well. I got a package from my Mom today full of Christmas stuff. She sent a few things for you; is there a good time I could drop them off at your place?"
Interesting I thought, Oliver's mom had been married to my ex-husband's older brother. They'd been divorced for years, but she was a wonderful person and we'd always gotten along, despite her rather contentious divorce. And, if I was being honest Oliver was my favorite nephew. I'd only been 16 when he was born, and he was my first real experience with a baby. Then he'd grown up to be an amazing young man, 23 now, out of college, on his own. I shook myself, no sense thinking about all that. I didn't want to get all maudlin about my first Christmas alone, recently divorced with a daughter spending her holiday on a cruise with her father.
I shook myself, took a deep breath and typed out a reply.
"When is convenient for you? I'll be home this evening, but if you have a hot date tomorrow would be fine too."
I went into the kitchen, set the phone down and started to make dinner. I glanced over and was surprised to see a reply.
"I'm free tonight, no hot date. But I don't think I have your address. βΉ"
I tapped my address in, then hesitated before hitting send. He'd probably say no anyway, but it felt wrong not to make the offer, and it would be nice to see him and catch up a little.
After the address I added, "I was making dinner. It will be ready in an hour or so, if you haven't eaten and want to join me."
A response came back almost instantly, "see you then."
I hurried to get dinner going, then ducked back into my bedroom. The oversized t-shirt and shorts came off and got tossed into the laundry hamper. I stopped in front of the mirror on the closet door, in my boring white bra and, dare I say it, granny panties. I couldn't quite put a finger on why, but they joined the other clothes in the hamper. I looked good for 39 I thought, I gave my breasts a squeeze. My friends in high school with smaller breast had teased me that they'd be down at my ankles when I got older, but time had proven them wrong. They might not be quite as firm as they had been back then, but they still attracted a lot of male attention.
With that thought warming my heart I started going through the closet. What to wear I thought. There was the answer I realized, hiding in the back of my closet. I had bought the dress because the company had a "50s" themed day at work to celebrate our 50th anniversary. It had never entirely made sense because the company had been founded in the late 60s. I figured they just didn't want anyone wearing some weird 60s stuff. It was a light pink flower print, tight around the bust, but only showing a hint of cleavage. It stayed tight down to the flared skirt. It accentuated my curves without being risquΓ©. I placed it on the bed and started looking through my lingerie drawer.
An almost transparent pink lace bra and panties, and some beige, lace top thigh highs completed the look. I dressed, checked my hair and makeup, then went back to the kitchen.
Dinner was just about ready when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Oliver peering at me over the pile of boxes in his arms.
"Well hello stranger," I said, stepping out of the way and beckoning for him to enter. He stepped out of the cold and I closed the door behind him.
"Let's put those under the tree."
I escorted him to the living room, and he placed the gifts under the tree. He stood up and smiled at me, I could feel his eyes roaming over me.
"Good to see you," he paused for a moment, "that's a really pretty dress."
"Ohh, thank you, got home from work today, got distracted and sort of forgot to change," I lied.
"If the girls in my office dressed like that, I'd never get anything done."
"I'm sure you'd manage, now let me have your coat."
He handed it to me, and it was my turn to look him over. He was a bit over 6 feet tall, still had the broad shoulders and chest from his days on the swim team. Short cropped black hair, and those lovely green eyes.
"Still swimming?" I asked.
"Whenever I get the chance, little harder to come by pool time lately."
I set his coat over the back of the love seat, "hungry?"
"For your cooking? Always. I was tempted to ask if you had made any of your chocolate chip cookies. They are the BEST."
"Kind of you to say so, I might be able to whip up a batch tomorrow, if you want to stop back by."
"Really?" he asked, with a bit more interest than I would have expected.
"Of course, anything for my favorite nephew."
"Anything?"
"Well, anything within reason," I said giving him a little wink.
"Now, let's eat," I continued, "I'm starving."
Dinner went quickly, and I felt a little strange offering him a glass of wine, and even stranger watching him drink it as we ate. He caught me up on his life, and what his Mom was up to. I really did need to call her I thought. I had a conference down in New Orleans in the fall and we really should get together. But he seemed, a bit different. He didn't have that seem easy confidence he'd always seemed to have. There was a nervousness about him I wasn't used to seeing.
I looked up and realized he was staring at me.
"Sorry, bit of wool gathering there."
He smiled, that crooked smile of his I'd always adored.
"Want seconds?" I asked.
"I'm stuffed."
I got up and started to clear the table. He helped and we made short work of it.
"I've got something for you too, I'll be right back."