Chapter 145
845 Words
At her restaurant the next morning, Jenny glanced up to see a large group of people enter. She blinked when she saw that it was her friends. They grinned at the look on her face as she approached.
“Hi,” she said. “You guys OK?”
“Sure are,” Dallas said. “We came for brunch.”
“Oh!” Jenny said. “OK. Well, we always leave a few unreserved tables, and you’re here early enough to snag one.”
“Yeah, we figured we’d have to get here early,” Jim said. “Believe me, babe, nothing but your buffet would get me out of my place before nine a.m. on a Sunday.”
She giggled. “Come on, then. This way.”
She led them over to a large table next to the window. “This OK?”
“Yeah,” Liv said as Dallas helped her take off her coat. “Thanks, Jenny.”
“Sure,” she said. “Coffee?”
“Many,” Chris said. “Many, many coffees.”
She looked at him now and their eyes met. His softened, and he walked over to her, moved closer. She didn’t back away, so he gently reached out and placed his fingertips on the generous curve of her hip. “You doing OK, baby?”
“Yeah.” She felt his heat over every inch of her. “I am.”
“You left early this morning,” he said. “I didn’t get the chance to give you a goodbye hug for the day… you want it now?”
“Yes,” she said. “I really do.”
He nodded and held out his arms to her. She moved into them without any reluctance, and he pulled her up against him, tighter than the day before but still not as tight as he wanted. She rested her head on his chest, closed her eyes, and sank into Chris. She just gave over to him, let herself be surrounded by him. His arms, his scent, his strength.
The others watched quietly as Chris and Jenny held each other. They were still and silent in the bustling restaurant, and they looked like they didn’t know anyone in the whole world existed except for the two of them. Emma glanced at Kat and Liv and saw her own tears reflected in their eyes. Dean squeezed her hand and she smiled at him.
Chris pulled back first, not wanting to push it. He touched her cheek and she smiled at him. That was when she remembered the others, and she glanced over at them, blushing.
“You’re amazing, Jenny,” Dean said softly.
She blushed more and looked at her feet. “Thank you.”
Chris sat down now and Liv winked at him. He winked back.
“Hey,” Dallas growled. “You winking at my girlfriend, man?”
“You know it.” Chris grabbed a roll from the bread basket.
“Huh.” He kissed Liv. “Can’t say I blame you.”
“OK,” Jenny said. “Help yourselves to the brunch, and I’ll have Deanna bring over the coffees. Enjoy, guys. I have to get back into the kitchen now.”
“Back to work,” Kat said. “We’ll see you later.”
They watched her walk into the kitchen, and when she’d disappeared, they all turned to Chris.
“What?” he asked.
“You hugged her,” Liv said. “And no panic attack.”
“I know.” He exhaled. “I can’t believe it myself. Maybe there’s some hope for this whole thing, huh?”
“I’d say so,” Emma said. “Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
“That’s good to hear,” Dean said. “Your appetite’s back… I thought you were going to inhale that entire pizza last night.”
“I know. My hunger’s like a wild beast, actually. I hope you’ll still love me when I’m three hundred and sixty-two pounds.”
“I know, right?” Liv said. “I’ve gained eight pounds in the past month. This not-dieting thing is kind of fun.”
Dallas stroked her long hair. “I love it. I think you look awesome with some weight on. Curvy and hot.”
“Yeah?”
“Hell, yeah.”
Olivia waited until the others had gone to the buffet, and then she leaned over to Dallas. “Maybe you want to see how curvy I actually am? Like, first-hand?”
He raised his eyebrows, his blue eyes startled. “What?”
“I was thinking about showing you my curves. All of them.”
He inhaled sharply. “You sure, Olivia?”
She nodded. “I want to make love. Today.”
“OK, baby.” He ran his large hand down her back, praying for control. “Let’s do that, then.”
“So eat up, Dallas.” She grinned, her brown eyes sparkling. “You’re going to need your strength. Trust me.”
- Writer
