Unwanted Acquaintances

Unwanted Acquaintances

Does this dress make me look broad?’ Carlene asked.

     I looked up from my phone and glanced over at her. She was in a navy blue bodycon dress with a square neckline that exposed her decolletage area. The dress clung to every lump and bump, emphasizing all the areas she wasn’t happy with. When she told me about her insecurities, I immediately reassured and told her all the things I knew she’d like to hear. I told her how she always looked lovely to me, even though I had noticed she had gained a bit of weight. Granted, her body had changed after she had the baby. Rufus, who was one now, was our raison detre. I read up online and found out how baby weight can be hard to shift, so I suggested she could sign up to the gym. She told me she will, when she had time. (That was three months ago.)

 I looked at her once again.

‘No darling, of course not.’ I smiled at her to reassure her. She smiled back.

‘Okay. Was just checking.’ She stepped closer towards me and held my hand.

‘I signed up to the gym, I start tomorrow.’

‘Oh that’s great darling. Now, we ought to get a move on.’ I replied, glancing at the clock. 

‘Yeah, sure.’

       We left the house and walked to our local chinese restaurant where we were meeting Cindy,  an old friend of hers. She was there when we arrived. Blonde. Attractive. Slender legs with a long body to match. Her blue eyes looked friendly as she greeted me with a smile and a hug.

 We sat down and ordered food. Her and Carlene caught up and reminisced on old times. I noticed Cindy kept holding my gaze longer than she needed to. Whenever I told an anecdote, she’d seem engrossed and would laugh at my unfunny jokes. Carlene looked at her with a quizzical expression, yet didn’t comment on her overt flirtiness. I was drinking my beer, when I felt her shoe touch mine. I moved it instinctively. Carlene excused herself to go to the loo. Cindy’s shoe made contact with mine. This time, I didn’t move.