Amanda came bursting into the living room of the Hot Girl House. “Ladies!” she almost shouted.

“Where?” Claire said, reaching for a handful of Cheez-Its as she continued scrolling.

“Cute, Claire,” Amanda announced. “I have big news!”

Sarah didn’t look up from her book. She focused on a paragraph she hadn’t actually read. “Are we at war? Did your cat die? Did you ace that big test?”

Amanda shook her head. “No. None of those. I’ve booked an appointment with that photo studio in town. I’m doing a boudoir shoot!”

“You’re what?” said Claire.

“A boudoir shoot. It’ll be fun. Sexy. I’m gonna feel like a goddess.”

“That sounds right up your alley,” Sarah said, shaking her head. “I could never do it.”

“Why not?” said Claire. “It’s romantic, sexy, and fun. Phil would lose his mind. It would wreck him. In the best way.”

Sarah let out a small, nervous laugh. “You sound like you want to do it too,” she said. “You two are bold. Out there. It’s good for you. It’s not me.”

“I’d still like you to come along,” Amanda said. “For moral support.”

“I’d just be in the way.”

“When are you ever just in the way, Sarah?” Amanda said with a hint of a grin. “Be my cheering section.”

“This is your kind of thing, Amanda,” Sarah said. “You don’t need a cheering section.”

“Come on, Sarah. Just to support me. What can it hurt?”

Sarah took a sip of coffee. “It’s really not my speed, Amanda. I’d just be taking up space.”

“Sarah, aren’t you tired of just taking up space?” If she was being honest with herself, Sarah had to admit that she was tired of it. But ever since that high school dance with the gym lights too bright and nowhere to hide, being seen had felt dangerous. And she couldn’t get shattered again.

“I’ve seen how you’ve been changing since you met Phil.” Sarah smiled at the mention of Phil. Sweet, patient Phil, the one guy she had finally let in. The one who saw her -- really saw her -- and stayed. But even now, exposure still felt dangerous.

“I’ll go if Sarah does,” Claire offered.

Sarah looked up from her book. “It sounds like this is important to you. If you need me for moral support, I guess I can do that. But don’t expect me to participate.”

“Great. Thanks. I’m booked for Friday.”

“We’ll be there,” Claire said quickly.

“I knew you would.”

Sarah picked up her book again, but the words wouldn’t stay still. She felt something unfamiliar stirring.

Friday afternoon, the three of them headed into town. Amanda was bouncing on her heels and checking her reflection in the windows. “This is gonna be fun!” she said.

Claire chuckled softly. “You sound hyped,” she said. “You’ve been thinking about this for a while, haven’t you?”

The door to the studio creaked when it opened. The building was tucked into a trendy part of town, all soft lighting and plush waiting room chairs. It smelled faintly of oils and hairspray. Something about it made Sarah’s stomach tighten. Amanda checked in, chatting away. “This is going to be epic,” she said, already kicking off her shoes as they were led to the changing area.

The receptionist looked up. “Are you all here for sessions?” The question hung just a moment too long. Sarah’s pulse ticked up.

“Oh, no,” Sarah said, perhaps a little too quickly. “We’re just here to support Amanda.”

“Well, we’re here if you’re ever interested,” the receptionist said with a smile. Claire nodded slowly. Sarah’s face formed a slight grin.

A woman emerged. “Hi, I’m Elena,” she said. “I’ll be your photographer today. Which of you lovely ladies are we shooting?”

“Me,” said Amanda.

As they headed down the hall, Elena observed, “You’d all be great subjects.” Claire let out a small laugh that said maybe. Sarah felt heat creeping up her neck. Her pulse spiked. She can’t mean me. Can she?

Elena handed Amanda a robe. She stepped into the dressing room. It was small but adequate, with a soft chair, a mirror, and a few hangers ready for whatever was coming. After a moment, Amanda heard Elena’s voice: “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Just be a minute,” Amanda said, tugging at a stray strand of hair one last time. She looked in the mirror and shrugged. The soft fabric made her feel exposed, in a good way.

“You ladies are welcome to sit in if you like,” Elena said with a smile.

Claire nodded. “Yes, we’d like. We’re Amanda’s moral support.”

Photos lined the walls, women in various states of undress smiling confidently at the camera. Sarah felt a tug in her chest, a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

A few steps more and they were in the studio itself: bright, expansive, and carefully arranged. Cameras, a couch, a bed, a chair, and props were spread out. Everything perfectly staged, as if the room had been made for Amanda. And maybe ... maybe not unpleasant for her either. Sarah hesitated just for a moment before following Claire in.

Amanda started in a silky slip, then shed layers -- first the slip for lace panties and a bra, then down to just the panties, her hands cupping her breasts playfully for the camera. “This is so liberating!” Amanda called out between clicks. “I feel like a total vixen.”

Sarah and Claire settled on a plush couch, flipping through a portfolio of sample shots -- women in lace lingerie, silk robes slipping off shoulders, bodies arched in confident poses. A strange warmth stirred in Sarah’s chest. Her breath hitched. She had never seen Amanda so uninhibited, so confident. There was something intoxicating about it, something that made Sarah’s skin prickle with a heat she couldn’t ignore. Wait, I could look that fierce?

“Walk with me,” Claire said, grabbing Sarah’s arm and pulling her to the desk. “I’m booking an appointment right now.”

“You don’t need me for that,” Sarah said. “I’ll stay here.”

“Just come to the desk with me, then we’ll come back and support Amanda.” They approached the desk together, Claire filling out the form with quick strokes.