Chapter 2 - trying not to flirt

Magnus is looking at me with his full attention. He has brown eyes fringed with dark lashes. I feel like looking over my shoulder to see if there's another, hotter woman behind me. My fascination with fat bodies extends to my own. I can never muster to motivation to lose weight, when I find my own heavy breasts, plump thighs and soft belly so undeniably erotic. But I know that most of the world does not agree with me. Of course it's possible to get laid, but I admit there's been quite a few guys who've refused me. Or, worse, slept with me and then insisted that it be a secret. So yeah, I'm chubby. And awesome. But it's tough to find a fellow who appreciates both.
"Yeah, at the pet store," Des butts in. I had almost forgotten he was there. "You should drop in, Celia. You used to do that all the time."
"It's the only way I can get my cute animal fix," I say, by way of explanation. "I live in an apartment building with a strict no pets policy. All I'm allowed is a fish tank, and fish aren't cuddly. I like cuddly."
This is true. It is also a lie. I used to drop by the pet store a lot to snorgle kitten bellies and to chat up a much-chunkier Des. But he made it clear that he was friend zoning me because he likes tall, slim women with hair like Brazilian waterfalls. No plump women with raggedy fingernails for him. I stopped going in for a while to give my crush a chance to settle, so I can be really just a friend.
"Do you?" says Magnus. "You should definitely come see the puppies we have now. They're so roly-poly and adorable, always tripping over their own ears."
"I should do that," I say with a laugh, trying not to flirt. I don't want his girlfriend to be mad.
"Actually, you guys should know each other," says Des. He turns to Magnus. "Celia's an amazing sculptor. Sculptress? Whatever. She makes these clay figurines that are just amazing. So lifelike and yet slightly... swollen. Magus is an artist, too, Celia."
"Not really!" says Magnus, blushing.
"His photography is great," says Des. "Don't be so modest."
"I've got to get home," says Magnus. "I've got the early shift tomorrow. It was nice meeting you, Celia."
He hoists himself to his feet and pads away, alone. The girls across from us don't even acknowledge him. Maybe they're with the other guys further down the table?
Des heads outside for a smoke, and I wander back up to the bar. I don't order another drink, though. Instead I head home.