Shizuko finished the first painting two weeks after Tanner's promotion. She had a party inviting all of my friends over after the painting was delivered to her client and she'd been paid. I'd seen several of them since my ill-fated bachelorette party, all except Maria and Cheyenne. Sydney wasn't there. Suki gave me a photo of the painting blown up to 11x13 with a frame around it. Maria eyed the photo speculatively.

"If asked if you'd ever pose nude six months ago, I'd have said no fucking way ever," Maria said. "A lot has changed since you got married. I've got to say, the painting is quite explicit."

"Her face...