As you clear your throat, embarrassed by the unexpected pitch of your voice, Lydia waves off your apology with a knowing smile.
“Oh, don’t be silly, dear. It happens to the best of us,” she says, her tone dripping with amusement.
You shift uncomfortably in your chair, suddenly aware of a warmth spreading through your body, not unpleasant, but strange. It starts in your stomach, radiating outward like the glow of a candle on a cold night.
“Well, that was delicious,” you say, forcing a chuckle. “I should probably head home, though.”
Lydia tilts her head, studying you for a moment before standing. “Of course, darling. Let me walk you out.”
You get to your feet, but the motion feels… different. There’s a slight unsteadiness to your stance, as if your center of gravity has subtly shifted. You dismiss the sensation, chalking it up to being full from the massive slice of pie.
As you follow Lydia toward the door, you can’t help but notice the bounce in her step, or rather, the bounce of her body with each step. The sway of her wide hips, the soft tremble of her arms, it’s almost hypnotic in a way you hadn’t noticed before.
You shake your head. What’s wrong with me?
Reaching the front door, Lydia rests a hand on your arm, her fingers surprisingly cool against your skin. “I do hope you’ll visit again soon,” she says, her dark eyes gleaming in the dim light of the entryway. “I’d love to have you over for dinner sometime.”
There’s something about the way she says it that makes you feel as though she’s already decided you will come back. You swallow, the warmth in your body still lingering, spreading up to your neck.
“Yeah, uh sure. Thanks again for the pie.”
She smiles, her grip lingering for just a second too long before she lets go. You step outside, the evening air cooling your flushed skin, though it does little to settle the odd sensation still bubbling inside you.
Each step home feels slower than normal, your body feeling slightly off, though you can’t quite put your finger on why. Maybe it’s just your imagination, or maybe you’re just tired.
But as you finally close your front door behind you and catch a glimpse of your reflection in the hallway mirror, a strange unease curls in your stomach.
You look the same… don’t you?
You shake off the thought with a tired sigh and head to bed
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