Boys? The three of them looked like men now. Gone was Milo’s weedy frame and mop of red hair. He’d cleaned up and filled out nicely, even sporting some sleek muscles under a tight-fitting tee. Jaxton, a halfback in high school and college, had always been muscular, but now his short-cropped hair made him look ten years older. And Simon, their ringleader, he had grown up most of all. His fiercely intelligent eyes were framed by waves of curly brown hair that hung nearly to his cheeks. It was a look both boyish and incredibly fetching.
Jesus, what is wrong with you? Emilia thought. These are your sons’ friends. You might be in a rut but take it down a notch.
“Hey guys!” she said, already moving out of the way for them to come in. She was a bit surprised and amused they knocked for once instead of barging right in like they used to.
“Hey, Mrs. Candless!” Milo said. Of all of them, even her son, Milo was always going to be the youngest in spirit. He was bouncy and excitable, and she loved his youthful energy, especially when he was dragging her son on an adventure somewhere and getting him out of the house and away from his games and video streams.
“Hey!” Jaxton said with his usual blunt efficiency. People sometimes confused him for stupid, but he had been third in their class and earned a big scholarship to study mechanical engineering. His quiet stoicism was, as he said, because he didn’t have much to say.
“Mrs. Candless,” Simon said, grinning like he knew she was thinking about how handsome they’d become. That smile won him a dozen girlfriends throughout the years in high school, and Emilia had little doubt that number had skyrocketed in college. “You look great. Caught you in a workout?”
“Just doing some yoga. I’m down five pounds,” she said, her fingers twitching. She wanted to place them at her hips, her go-to move when she was flirting or being flirted with. “And look at you guys! Wow. You grew up. Yummy little things.”
Oh damn it, had she really just said that? Yummy?
Simon’s grin spread, and yup, Emilia’s panties were now officially going to be drenched. Sweet, oblivious Milo said, “Is Landon home yet? We were going to go golfing and thought we’d grab him.”
“Oh, he didn’t tell you? He and his girlfriend are moving in together. They’re staying there this summer.”
“Aw, man,” Milo groaned.
“Come in anyways. Sit for a few minutes and keep me company.”
The guys spread out in the living room, Simon lounged like a cat in the armchair Emilia’s husband usually favored, while the other two took the couch. She leaned over to grab her yoga mat, in profile to the guys. She caught all three of them staring at her boobs or her butt. Inwardly, she smirked. Still had it.
“Get you guys something to eat? Drink?”
Simon asked, “Got any of your sun tea?”
“You know it. Milo? Jaxton?”
“Oh yeah,” Jaxton said, grinning.
Milo nodded. “Thanks, Mrs. Candless.”
Emilia headed into the kitchen to get them some of her tea. The boys, when they were younger, could go through a whole pitcher of the stuff in one sitting, especially with Landon around. While she was pouring them each a massive glass full of it, she heard Milo whispering out in the living room, “Holy shit, her ass in those pants.”