chapter 4

“Sup guys?” Geoff shifted into reverse as Josh and Dani buckled into the back seat, “You guys feeling refreshed after a good night’s rest?”


“Yes sir-ee,” Dani shouted, “I need some sun so I’m not looking like some sort of ghost next to you two.”


“Then sun you will get!” Bree exclaimed.


At the restaurant, the four took their seats at an outdoor table.


“This is a joke, right?” Josh asked. “It’s just like this every day?” He looked over to Dani, who sat with a complacent grin painted across her face, brown shiny hair dancing in the warm breeze.


“Yeah we’re still not even entirely used to it yet,” Bree answered modestly, “it can get a little too hot in the Summer sometimes, but it’s like this most of the year. Really kind of makes it feel like we haven’t been here for as long as we have been. My body clock feels like snow should be right around the corner but it never comes.”


The server came by and poured water for the group, which Dani almost immediately began to chug.


“What do you guys think? Mimosas for the table?” Geoff asked.


“Man, you are ready to dive right in! Should I be scared?” Josh joked. Dani could only chuckle and shake her head.


As the meal went on, Dani observed carefully as Geoff explained his plan for the food he’d order, and again as he ate; methodically and with intent, hardly stopping, if only to go on about his excitement for their plans for the week. He ate the largest portion of the shared appetizer for the table, easily cleared the plate he ordered for himself. On the side, he downed a number of mimosas. To her surprise and unease, Josh generally followed suit, going drink-for-drink with Geoff, and cleaning his plate himself--something he didn’t often do. Dani herself picked at her veggie omelette and carefully drank numerous glasses of water, only sipping at her single mimosa throughout the meal.


She again felt almost all the tension in her body release with each passing moment. Geoff and Bree excitedly spoke over each other about their experiences in San Diego and living so far away from home. Her heart filled with joy as she relaxed with the three greatest friends she had ever made.


Once the bill had been paid, the four walked back to the car to retrieve their beach gear. “Oh, so you can just park your car, walk 1 minute to a restaurant, and another minute across the street to chill at the beach. Casual.” Dani gawked.


“Not a bad setup, eh?” Bree bragged as she led the others, bag and chair in tow.


After they set up on the beach Josh helped Dani apply sunscreen. Dani watched out of the corner of her eye as Geoff took off his shirt. Discreet as she tried to be, she could not keep her eyes off the rounded belly which poked outward from Geoff’s body. Enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle and taking up a new hobby as a foodie had clearly taken its toll. Once known for the sculpted body of a collegiate runner, Geoff now had a tanned little beer gut and love handles to match. His suit, which obviously couldn’t have been new, gave him a little muffin top which shook ever so slightly through sudden movements. She watched as the chub on his body squished between his hands as he applied sunscreen on his stomach.

“Alright, my turn!” Josh shouted. The words frightened Dani out of her trance. Dani turned to her man, abs as tight as they were when they first met years ago. He turned and she traced the sharp, jagged lines formed by his back muscles, broad shoulders tapering down to a compact little waist. She rubbed the sunscreen and occasionally looked back over her shoulder to Geoff and Bree.


Once they were situated, Geoff asked Josh if he’d like to throw the ball around. “I’ve been dying to get the pigskin goin’” he said.


Dani and Bree enjoyed some lazy chit-chat while they soaked up the sun, watching on as their men threw the ball around in the distance.


“This feels like the good old days, Bonz.” Dani sighed.


“Wow!” Bree burst out laughing. “Bonz! I haven’t heard that one in a while. Geoff doesn’t even call me that any more. Geoff!” she shouted to the boys, “D just called me Bonz!”


The boys’ laughter cut through the seabreeze.


“I hear you, though,” Bree continued, “the two of us talking about important matters, solving the world’s issues while our bimbo hunks throw around a little pigskin inflated with air.” They laughed.


“Last night in the car, and today at brunch, and now just catching up with you...I can feel months of stress just exiting my body. We’re grown up, but I feel like a kid without any worries right now.”


“I’m so glad to hear that, sweetie. We’re so lucky to have each other.”


The two watched on as the ball was passed back and forth. They heard a groan from Geoff as he jumped to catch the ball to no avail. He walked to retrieve it where it had sailed over his head.


“Well,” Bree said, gesturing to her fiance, “we’re of course not those kids we used to be.”


Dani again tensed up. “Huh? What do you mean?”


“He’s definitely...been enjoying his new found love of food.”


“Oh? Yeah he has been talking about it a lot.” Dani stumbled.


“Oh, he’s a bottomless pit. He looks so funny out there with Josh.”


“What do you mean funny?” Dani dragged on.


“Oh stop it, we’re best friends. You don’t have to act like Geoff hasn’t put on a few. Look at Josh compared to him. They used to look so similar.” She looked over at Dani who moved her mouth, but couldn’t produce words. Bree cackled at the sight.


“Oh my God,” she continued, “stop being so proper. So he’s got a little beer gut. Who cares.”


“Well,” Dani finally found a few words, “is he still working out?”


“He stopped running with me. He started lifting more, but even that’s kind of fallen off in the last few months. He doesn’t really seem that interested in it.”


“Is...is that okay? Is he okay?”


“Oh! He’s never been happier, aside from missing family and friends back east, of course. And for me it’s kind of nice running alone. I get to have some alone time and can go at my own pace, distance, whatever. I can listen to new music. It’s nice to be able to disappear for a bit.”


“Well honestly,” Dani went on, finding her sea legs,” I’m surprised he’s so okay with it. That’s just not how he used to be.”


“He’s totally fine with it. And...I mean honestly, I think it helps that I think it’s kind of sexy.”


Dani chuckled and again looked to Bree for approval.


“Yeah,” Bree confidently marched on, “I kinda really like his little dad bod. And he’s so passionate about food. I know we kind of joked about it yesterday, but he loves cooking, and he’s gotten really good! Makes it harder for me to stay in shape of course, but I manage. It’s also taught me to just relax every once in a while. A big cheat meal here or there isn’t going to hurt you--it does way more good for your mental health than it does damage to your body. And the way he does his research and wants to learn about it, the way he talks about it to his new friends and co-workers, the way he plans meals and takes me to new restaurants, like he can show me off to new places around the city...I don’t know, it’s all just really hot to me.”


“Aw, that’s so cute!” Dani cut in.


“Yeah. It’s nice. And, I don’t know, TMI or whatever, but when we cuddle, it’s like--girl.” she gestured glowingly. “We spoon and I can feel his little tummy pressing into my back. And it’s kinda nice having some hips to dig my fingers into when things get a little rough. He used to feel like a stone, but it’s honestly nice having him feel like a big soft teddy bear. And when he eats a lot, his little tummy pokes out and I can squish it with my finger like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Sometimes I find myself just rubbing it when we sit on the couch after he has a big meal, and he’ll let me kiss it and rest my head on it. He does this cute thing where he grabs his belly with his hands and makes it look like a donut, and it’s so soft and squishy. It’s literally the cutest thing ever. I dunno, I kinda feel like his weight gain is partially my fault.”


Dani choked trying to swallow. “Sorry,” she was able to get out through coughs, “let me grab my water.”


“And I mean,” Bree went on after Dani quieted, “300 pounds is one thing, like, it's not like he's crazy fat or anything. But he’s so happy, healthy, and I think he looks fuckin’ sexy. So who cares?”


“Oh! Yeah? Who cares?” Dani shrugged