chapter 2

My friends are starting to think I have lost my mind. They never have understood why I like guys with huge bellies. Now I've been telling them about the handsome and hefty owner of the French cafe. When he came back from his cruise, I told the girls about his growth. They all told me I should just ask him out. I am so afraid of asking him. If he says no, I won't be able to come to the cafe and look at him. I won't be able to fantasize about being with him. My imaginary relationship with him was better than nothing. Besides, if he was interested in me, he would have asked by now. They rolled their eyes at me and told me it was time to change the subject. I found myself thinking of taking a cruise with him and helping him rub his tanning lotion on.

I decided to start trying harder to get him to ask me out. I bought a new bra with some padding that would help me look sexier. I made sure to touch up my makeup and hair after work. I also started bringing my favorite perfume so that I could spray it on right before I went into the cafe. I hoped my signature sent would get into his mind. I've been doing this routine for about a week now. Jean-luc commented that I smelled great today! I know I turned 3 shades of red when I thanked him. He was standing right next to me. I noticed that his huge belly sticks out so far now that even when his feet are a foot away from the table, his round belly casts a shadow over the table. I wished I could just see it without his shirt on. Even just for a few minutes.

My friends had been pushing me to ask him out but I just couldn't. I asked them if they would come to the cafe with me and see if they got a different vibe from him. I had never brought them to the cafe. I've always wanted to fantasize about him alone. Yesterday after work, I rushed to meet my friends and we went to the cafe. We were seated in the center of the room. I looked around for him. When he came out of the hallway, I know my face erupted in a smile. My friends nearly got whiplash turning around to see him. Michelle leaned over and said he was cute and definitely my type. Jean-luc worked his way over to us. He said it was so nice to meet my friends. I introduced them both and to my horror, Stephanie said, "We just had to come and meet the handsome Frenchman who owned this cafe. Our girl spends a lot of time here." Jean-luc turned red and smiled. I'm sure my cheeks were red too. He talked a little about today's specials and said he would send out some treats for his favorite customer and her very kind friends. When he left the table I told Steph that I couldn't believe she said that. Steph said, "He is obviously into you. I can see it on his face. Besides, he is handsome." I smiled and said I agree with the handsome part. We had a delicious meal together and Jean-luc came back to check on us. I seemed to be smiling more than usual at him. He was adorable. I was happy that my friends liked him. As we were walking out, both of my friends said he would ask me out at some point. They were sure of it.

Mondays are always stressful at my office and I nearly always go to the cafe on my way home. It is the high point of my day. When I was seated by the window, I thought he wasn't working today. I sat there for a long time and saw no sign of him. The front door opened and in walked the man of my dreams carrying flowers. He looked at me and smiled. He looked so handsome today. He had black slacks on and a blue button down shirt. The shirt was the color of the sky and it looked to barely contain his bulging belly. It took me a minute to realize that he was walking towards me. I felt like I might pass out. He pulled out the other chair at my table and sat down. His belly was resting against the table. He smiled and said those flowers were for me. All I could manage to say was, "Thank you, they are beautiful." He then looked me in the eye and asked if I would like to go out with him on Saturday. I couldn't believe this was actually happening. I know I stammered a little when I said that I would like that. He smiled and said that he didn't normally ask customers out but he couldn't help himself with me. I just smiled and thought I may die right there on the spot. I didn't say much. He knew I was painfully shy and quiet. I asked him how I should dress for going out that weekend. He said I always look good so I should wear whatever I want for a nice dinner and maybe some music afterwards. I smiled and thanked him. Just about then someone called him from the back. He smiled at me and said duty calls. I couldn't contain myself. I had the biggest smile on my face. I quickly sent a group text to Stephanie, Michelle and our other good friend Paul. Paul was a gay man with a wonderful partner. He was always trying to get me to come out of my shell. It was a wonder he still put up with me. My text to the three of them just said, "The man of my dreams just asked me out for Saturday. Need help from my squad." Michelle sent back a thumbs up emoji and said she was in. Paul sent about 50 emojis and said he was in charge of my outfit. About 10 minutes later, I was walking out of the cafe, carrying my flowers, when Steph called me. She said she had something to confess. She had slipped a note to Jean-luc when we were there. She told him that I really wanted to go out with him but was too shy and would never be able to ask. I was shocked and a little upset with her but I decided that it was a good thing because I now had a date with him. I told her that we all needed to have dinner and drinks on Friday to plan my outfit, jewelry and hair. She promised to make the plans for me. I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill for a while, picturing my date with Jean-luc this weekend. I was so happy. I went to the cafe two more times that week. Jean-luc asked me if I liked Italian food and he also asked if he could pick me up. When I agreed, he asked for my number so he could text me. He sent me a text right then that said ," I can not wait till Saturday" then he asked me to send him my address. On Friday, I didn't go to the cafe because I was having dinner and drinks with my crew. We met at a trendy farm to table place that Paul's partner managed. Randy was always happy to reserve us a good table. We always tell Paul if they get married we must be in his wedding party. We love a Randy. Tonight though the conversation was on me and my date with Jean-luc. Since Paul hadn't met Jean-luc, the girls described him. Paul said I should wear a little black dress and heels since Jean-luc was safely taller than me, even in heels. Stephanie said to definitely wear my hair down and she would come over Saturday to help. My sweet friends all offered to come over. They know my shyness will ramp up by tomorrow afternoon. I was so thankful for my friends and for the chance to be with Jean-luc. I had several drinks that night and I leaned over to Michelle in our uber and asked if I should wear sexy lingerie. She smiled and said of course I should. Then she added that it had been longer than she thought since I went out. We both laughed at that.

Saturday morning I popped out of bed early. I couldn't go back to sleep. I was too excited about this evening. I went to the gym to burn of some energy. Then I came home and cleaned my apartment. Finally it was noon. I took a shower so that my naturally wavy hair could dry on its own. I tried on a few bra and panty sets, settling on a pink lace thong and the matching pink lace padded push up bra (not that I had anything to push up). I lounged around in my silky robe and daydreamed about Jean-luc for a while. Michelle got there first followed by Step, Paul and Randy. I smiled and said they brought the A team as I hugged Randy.
I showed them the underwear I had picked up and they all nodded approval. Then I got out the three little black dresses that I owned and they declared unneeded to model them with my underwear set. They all voted for the 2nd black dress. It was a shimmery lightweight material that hugged my body just right. It almost made it look like I had some curves. My friends left at 6:30. Jean-luc was picking me up at 7:00. I decided to have a cocktail to help me loosen up on the date. I poured myself a vodka soda and looked in my full length mirror. I looked hot. Perfect makeup, my long wavy hair had been tamed and I wore my favorite black peep toe pumps. At 6:50, my intercom buzzed. I heard the familiar French voice say that he was here to pick up a beautiful woman for a date. I giggled and told him to come on up. When I opened the door, he was standing there in a black sportscoat and a red shirt. He smelled so good. He must not wear cologne to work. Thank goodness, I might have to make out with him at the cafe if he smelled like this! He said he would normally bring flowers but he glanced at the flowers on my dining room table and smiled. He produced a box from behind his back. He had baked some of my favorite pastries for me to have in the morning. I smiled and told him that was so sweet of him. I put them in the kitchen and we set off. He opened the door for me and waited for me to lock it. He was a perfect gentleman, opening every door. His car was an older BMW sedan that was in beautiful condition. He put me in the car and then slowly lowered himself into the drivers seat. I noticed that he pulled the seat forward after he was in it. His belly almost touched the steering wheel. The whole car smelled like his cologne. I was in heaven!