Chapter 48: Mama, Mama, Mayhem

"Mama, Mama!" Tia's high-pitched voice echoed through the living room, followed by a burst of giggles as she careened around the corner, her blonde curls bouncing with each step. Ashley was sitting on the couch, trying to get Tia's pudding into her mouth, but it was a futile effort. Tia was too busy running around, flailing her arms and legs, and chanting "Mama, Mama" to be still for a second. Ashley's eyes followed Tia's antics, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on her face. She finally managed to get the pudding spoon into Tia's mouth, but just as she was about to take a bite, Tia squirmed away, shouting "No, no, no!" and started dancing around the room. Ashley sighed, laughing, and set the pudding aside for now. She chased after Tia, trying to corral her energetic toddler into a somewhat calm state. Just as she was about to catch her breath, her phone buzzed with an incoming text from Max. The message was accompanied by a photo that made Ashley's heart skip a beat. It was a picture of Max, reclining on a bed, his eyes locked on the camera with a seductive gaze. He was shirtless, his muscles rippling beneath his skin, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. The caption read, "Wanna play?" Ashley's face grew hot as she stared at the photo, her mind racing with thoughts of Max and what he might be suggesting. She felt a flutter in her chest, and her eyes darted around the room, as if searching for an escape or a distraction. Tia, still bouncing around the room, was oblivious to the sudden change in Ashley's demeanor. As Ashley sat there, frozen, her phone buzzed again with another message from Max. "Can't stop thinking about you," he wrote. Ashley's heart skipped another beat as she read the words, her thoughts spiraling into a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Tia, now perched on Ashley's lap, gazed up at her with big, curious eyes. "Mama?" she asked, as if sensing the change in Ashley's mood. Ashley forced a smile and hugged Tia tight. "I'm fine, baby," she whispered, trying to push aside the sudden wave of attraction and desire that Max's photo had sparked. But as she looked back at her phone, she couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity about what Max had in mind, and what might happen if she decided to play along.