chapter 1 - the date

We were going to celebrate.

Kat finally quit her toxic job, and was prepared to leave behind her bitchy co-workers, rude boss and the pervs who followed her around the office. She was beautiful and the perfect girl for me and I was so excited she was ready to let go of all the things that made her unhappy.

"Hurry up Babe! I made the reservations and don't want to be late."

"I'm coming!" She shouted down the stairs. I heard some shuffling and then she appeared at the top of the stairs as my jaw dropped. She looked absolutely stunning.

She was rocking an expensive white, skin-tight dress which covered her modest chest yet showed off her long toned legs and tiny waist. Phone in hand she descended the stairs swaying her hips as she went. My eyes were glued to her graceful and svelte form.

She smiled at the bottom of the stairs. I swallowed at the sight of her looking so free and genuinely happy for the first time in two years. Her pearly teeth reflected the light and her blue eyes crinkled slightly at the corners and I knew then that I loved her.

"Hurry up babe... we don't want to keep Giulio's waiting huh?"

I laughed, took her arm and headed out the door. We drove in companionable silence to Giulio's, a fancy downtown Italian restaurant. It had a reputation for having spectacular pasta and extremely generous portions.

I parked the car and opened her door. She stepped out and I couldn't help but notice how her hip bones made a brief appearance through the skin-tight dress.

I had never had the courage to ask Kat to gain some weight because I know she strived to achieve the perfect model body in order to impress co-workers and other people. She liked having a perfectly maintained aura of control so others would treat her with more respect.

Her insecurities of people undermining her in the workplace resulted in a strict exercise regimen and an even more merciless diet.

She was hot, but lately before quitting her job she'd become thinner... not necessarily fitter. Don't get me wrong though, she was so sexy.

I just felt like she needed a little extra something.

We were seated at a private booth near the side entrance we used, away from prying eyes.

"Hello, my name is Delia, and I'll be your waitress today. Here are your menus." A cheerful, short girl with a slight accent said, handing us black, leather bound menus. and walking off.

I observed she had some curves and silently wished Kat had some extra meat on her bones.

"So... feel free to order whatever you want. It's on me babe, forget your diet this is about treating my princess to the best meal possible!"

"Aww Chris! You're so sweet," She opened her menu and went straight to the elaborate mains, "Oh wow, everything looks great."

I had come here before on a business lunch and was well aware a main could easily feed two people, but kept my mouth shut.

The waitress came back with a basket of garlic bread and asked us if we were ready to order.

While she chewed on a piece of garlic bread, Kat spoke up "Could I please have the chicken fettuccine Alfredo, extra cream in the sauce." I looked at her surprised and she whispered, "In other restaurants it usually doesn't taste as good if it's not extra."

Shrugging my shoulders I ordered mussels as I was simply craving seafood and ordered some white wine to go with the food.

"One alfredo and One mussles, coming right up. I'll bring out the wine in a moment."

"Thanks," I said grinning.

"Hey... so I was thinking now that I quit and all that is over; maybe I could start my own business and work from home y'know. I mean, it would give me so much freedom and I'd be my own boss."

"Oh wow, that'd be a big step sweetheart."

"I know, and if you're unsure about it I could hire professional help to plan everything out better and I could always get a part time job while everything sorts itself out."

"No, no Kat, I didn't mean to bring you down. I want you to know I support you and would love to help in any way I can. I'm just worried about you babe." I assured her as I saw she was wringing her hands together.

"Oh, well in that case..." She trailed off.

"It's ok Kat." I said softly.

"Here is the wine, would you like me to pour some for you?" Delia interrupted, setting the clinking glasses on the table.

"Um, yes please, that'd be great."

Kat hardly noticed Delia as she was deep in thought.

"Your food won't be long." Delia chirped and walked off once more, leaving us with two full glasses of wine and an opened bottle.

"So, Kat.... don't worry about the part time job. I suggest the help from a professional but know I'm perfectly able to support us in style while your business is up and running." I quietly continued grabbing her hand.

She smiled so radiantly my heart soared.

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

She was an equal in the relationship and very independent but that didn't mean I couldn't help her out.

"Yeah, Babe! I want to take care of you and watch you become an entrepreneur from home," I didn't mention I also wanted to watch her fill out and let go of her fitness crazed ways, "I support you one hundred percent."

"Aww, thank you so much Chris!"

And just then, when we came to an agreement, the food arrived.