Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Myre's Enthusiasm Part 27: Sleepover

In her usual black tank top and shorts, Myre leaned against her car. Evan was late from work, and the parking lot for his apartment wasn't the most entertaining place. She didn't mind. She alternated between checking her phone and pressing her hand against her round protruding belly. Though she normally preferred low-cut pants, the shorts she picked for their pizza hangout dug into the fat on her stomach. In response to being so contained, her stomach was growling and demanding food. She was eager to relieve that desire with Evan. I'm going to eat sooo much. Get ready tummy. You have to get really full tonight. Oh gosh I hope he comments on my belly. I need it...

Evan's car turned around the corner of the parking garage.

Myre snatched her bag from her car, hoisted it over her shoulder, and walked after him. It was a short walk from the parking garage to his apartment. Evan was clearly tired from work, but also obviously happy to see her.

"I showered before I came home. I didn't want to make you wait while I cleaned up. Sorry I'm late. Well. I guess I still made you wait."

"Don't you worry about that! I get it." She grabbed his hand and followed. "Though I could have helped you get clean." She winked.

Before Evan had his keys out, the barking had already started in his apartment. He gave a half smile to Myre. "I was worried she might be jealous. Clearly she can smell you coming."

"She should be jealous! I want you all to myself tonight. That's why I brought some treats for her. If you're okay with me using them. I hoped my smile and friendliness would save me. But it may not be that powerful."

"That's fine with me." Evan smiled and unlocked the door. "Kira it's just me. And a friend. Be nice."

The tan corgi with black stripes on its nose stuck its snout through the partially opened door and growled.

"Be nice Kira. She's a friend."

Kira didn't relent.

Myre knelt down and reached into her bag. "Hey sweetie! I've got something special for you!" She pulled out a piece of barbecue coated jerky. With a smile she waved it in the air. "I got this for you, baby."

Kira stopped and perked up her ears. She looked to Evan, then back at Myre. She plodded over with her stubby legs, grabbed the jerky and ran back into the apartment.

"Hah. I can't believe that worked." Evan laughed.

"I have other backup plans too if she gets bored. Food obviously works on me, so it's an obvious choice." She smirked.

Evan was not an interior decorator. His apartment was at least tidy, if not visually distinct. Next to his impressive computer setup, there was a shelf lined with misfit computer parts. Myre recognized them - old parts from previous generations of computer technology. Many of the chips and cards would have been envied even three years prior, but with time, they'd been relegated to decorative status. On the other side of the living room, there was an old beat-up couch across from a huge flatscreen TV.

Evan walked over to the TV and pointed to the shelves below it. "I picked up an old console online. Computer stuff is fun and all, but a lot less fun if it was just me doing stuff. No need to make you snuggle up with a computer chair. With this we can chill out on the couch and play something. I haven't played a console game in years. I thought it might be fun."

"I haven't either. I think the last console I had came out in 2005? It sounds like a great idea Evan! I hope you didn't pay too much for it all."