"A Glimmer of Attraction"

As Ashley waited for Max's response, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had been hesitant to send him a message, but something about his profile had caught her eye. She glanced over at Tia, who was busy playing with her toys, and smiled as she thought about how much her little girl had grown. After a few minutes, Max responded with a friendly hello and asked Ashley about her day. They chatted back and forth for a bit, discussing everything from their jobs to their favorite hobbies. As the conversation flowed easily, Ashley found herself feeling more and more at ease. But then, Max asked for a picture. Ashley hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to send. She didn't want to send a boring, straightforward photo, but she also didn't want to send something too revealing. As she thought about it, Tia began to get sleepy, and Ashley knew it was time for her nap. Once Tia was settled in her crib, Ashley got up and made her way to the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a pair of comfortable leggings and a worn-out t-shirt, but she didn't feel like taking the time to change. As she stood there, Ashley's mind began to wander. She thought about how long it had been since she'd felt attractive, how long it had been since she'd felt like a woman. She thought about Max, and how he seemed like a kind and gentle person. Without thinking too much, Ashley started to pose for a selfie. She leaned against the sink, a seductive smile spreading across her face. She pulled her hair back, revealing her neck, and raised an eyebrow, giving the camera a flirtatious look. The resulting photo was...different. Ashley couldn't deny that it was a bit risqué, a bit more revealing than she'd intended. But as she looked at it, she felt a spark of confidence. She felt like she was taking control, like she was showing Max that she was interested. With a newfound sense of boldness, Ashley sent the photo to Max. She waited anxiously for his response, her heart racing with anticipation. The response came quickly. "Wow, you're stunning," Max wrote. "I'm so glad I got to see your beautiful face." Ashley blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, and it was both exhilarating and intimidating. She didn't know what to say, so she simply typed out a smile and a thank you. As she waited for Max's next message, Ashley couldn't help but wonder what she was getting herself into. She thought about Tia, and how she needed to be careful about who she introduced into their lives. But she also thought about herself, and how she deserved to feel attractive and desired. The door to Tia's room creaked open, and Ashley's home health nurse, Mrs. Johnson, poked her head in. "Everything okay in here?" she asked, eyeing Ashley's phone. Ashley smiled, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just chatting with someone." Mrs. Johnson raised an eyebrow. "Someone special?" Ashley shrugged, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "Maybe. We'll see." Mrs. Johnson smiled and nodded. "Well, just be careful, okay?" Ashley nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her nurse. She knew that Mrs. Johnson was looking out for her, and for Tia. And as she waited for Max's next message, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about what the future might hold.