Tempted

chapter 1

Angela pulled into the parking lot of the local mini mall.
There were plenty of stores in the little square. There was a Target, a Wholefoods, a laundromat, a dollar store, a subway and her gym.

There was of course a McDonald's, a taco bell and a Wendy's all littered across the edge of the parking lot but she took great care to avoid these.

"Not today guys!" She told herself. Angela was no stranger to temptation. Her office had a Dunkin Donuts in the building and the frequent breaks and convenient location by the elevator made it all too easy for her to pop in, sometimes twice a day.

Angela parked her car as close to the gym as she could just so she wouldn't be distracted.

"No distractions. I've got a new bathing suit and I am going to look great."

Her last trip to the gym left her feeling great. The staff was friendly and super supportive. She left knowing that she could make it as long as she tried.

It was March, and she had three months to go before the summer and she really wanted it.

"GGRRRROOWWLL"

Apparen tly she also really wanted something to eat.

Angela looked back at the fast food restaurants behind her and scowled. She turned back to the gym and saw the Subway next door.

"Subway can be healthy. Right? I'll stop there after the workout."

Her stomach rumbled once more.

"I can't work out like this. It's too distracting. Okay, something small."

She opened the doors and was greeted by a young man behind the counter. He had a warm smile and a clear complexion, quite different from the usual group that worked these shops. He was working during the day so he must have been out of high school at least.

"Welcome, what can I get you today?"

Angela looked up at the menu. "They have salads", she thought to herself.

"Would you like one of our famous footlong subs, the bread is pretty fresh."

Angela found herself taking in the smell of the bread. Hmm, it does smell pretty good. "Yeah sure."
She said it without thinking.

"Great! What kind of sub would you like, the sweet onion chicken is always a winner."

Angela looked up at the menu to catch a glimpse of the sandwhich. It did look good.

"Yeah that one."

"Double meat? Only a dollar more and you get quite a lit for the price."

Angela paused at the thought.

"Its meat and that's protein and that's healthy right?"

"Yeah..."

Angela paused, the kid hadn't said that, he was just standing there smiling. But it was like he was suggesting it to her in her mind. That would be crazy, she was thinking it herself and just blaming him but too late now the meat was piled on the sandwhich.

"Cheese? Provolone?"

Angela just nodded.

"Toasted?"

Again she nodded yes.

The attendant turned and placed the sandwich in the little oven behind the counter. He busied himself while Angela thought over her next steps.

So many healthy options here I'll go heavy on the veggies and light on the sauce.

The oven dinged and for a moment Angela's resolve faltered. The word sauce hung in the air and she imagined that sweet tangy taste.

"What would you like on it?"

"Uh lots a veggies, like go crazy with it."

The kid laughed. "Sure thing Ma'am."

He piled on plenty of onions and peppers and jalapenos and lettuce and tomatoes and cucumbers.

"Any sauce?"

Here it was she had it now.

"Yes lots, and oil too."

The words were out and the bottles hit the sanwhich and it flowed with flavor.

Angela grimaced for a second realizing what she had said. She resigned herself to eating the sandwich as it was. It wasn't the kids fault she was so torn on what she wanted. Asking him to remake it would be rude and he was so nice.

The boy rang her up at the checkout, "make it a combo?"

Angels handed over her card while she reached for a bag of doritos and an extra large cup.

She took her food to the nearest table. Looking down at the overstuffed sandwich she let out a sigh of defeat. Her stomach growled once more as it was ordering her and she began to eat.

It was delicious, no doubt, but it was so filling. She knew what ever health value she had intended was now ruined. Even her drink was unhealthy she thought about unsweetened tea, but her hand drifted over and hit the sweet tea instead.

"But wasn't this easier."

Again the though seemed to come from somewhere else, not hers but in her head. She glanced around, the kid was helping another customer. They seemed confident in their order while she had been complete ditz falling over every word.

"Shut up and eat."

There it was again, but it sounded more like her. She picked up the sub again and kept eating. Each bite tasted so great. The sandwich had lots of flavor and the oil and sauce was oozing out. She found herself licking up the drips and repeatedly sucking her fingers.

Now she found herself reaching into the bag of chips and snacking away. She pulled out her phone and was instantly hit with a pang of guilt. She had her background set as a beach. It was supposed to be motivating. She thought back to that nice two piece bikini she picked up after her last workout. She had promised herself.

Ping.

An email came in from the target next door. They were having a sale on swimsuits. There was a really nice one piece that had some cute shorts to match.

"That would cover my chub." She said quietly to herself.

"That's too mean I have nice hips. And I'm not some beach bimbo."

The voice was back but it was more reassuring. And it was right.

"I do look good, the other girls at the office are much bigger than me." She finished her sub and was determined to go pick up the new swimsuit .

"Oh miss, sorry I forgot to give this to you with your combo."

It was the young kid from behind the counter. He came up and dropped off two cookies

It didnt come with apples, did it?

She looked up again, it was clear that cookies were separate, so why was he.

OMG was this kids flirting with me. Angela was in her mid thirties and here was this 19 year old kid flirting with her.

"No way is this happening."

"Why shouldn't it."

The voice was back. Reaffirming her confidence.

"Please maam, they are for you."

Angela picked up the cookie. Mouthing the word thanks unable to say it aloud.

The boy gave her a wink and walked back to the counter.

She ate the cookie smiling to herself. Feeling slightly elated at this attention. It wasn't the gym. She only had one session, so it was just her.

She picked up the second cookie and barely had a moment to think of the fact she was already on her second cookie when she saw the name Ryan with a phone number under it written on the napkin.

She practically choked and had to cover her face in embarrassment. She grabbed the napkin. And stuffed it in her purse. Angela got up quickly and made to leave in a hurry but not before she felt tempted to turn around once more to give Ryan a smile.

"I'm still thirsty."

Obeying the voice that she came to trust more and more she refilled her large cup with more sweet tea.

"Do something sexy."

Angela dropped her keys on the floor and made a bit of a shoe in picking them up, bending over at the waist as best as possible. That was a large sub. She looked back and saw that Ryan was in fact enjoying the view.

"He must be into butts and hips like mine."

She straightened up slowly gave another smile and left.

She made her way straight over to the Target, intent on buying a new, more appropriate swimsuit, and maybe some sexy underwear, and maybe a snack.