Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Myre and Kelri part 2: Doubles

Myre latched onto Evan's arm with a smile. Her orange and red fire like dress clung tight to her, sticking tight around her plump stomach, making her look pregnant. Her favorite dress shoes - cyan heels - didn't match her outfit at all, but she loved them anyway. "I'm so excited!" She said booping her head against Evan's shoulder.

He let out a nervous laugh and straightened his dress shirt.

"You look great!"

"I feel underdressed."

"Oh nonsense," Myre said, smooching Evan on the cheek. "They'll probably be looking at my tummy, not you anyway. And besides that, I promise tonight will be more interesting than worrying about what everyone else is paying attention too.

"You said it would be fun before. Which is it? Interesting? Or fun?"

"Why not both?" Myre laughed.

He shrugged and rushed forward to get the front door for Myre. The Hostess grabbed the door first.

***

Connor guided Kelri up the stairs in his rented suit. They followed the hostess to the highest terrace of Chandler's Taste of Italia and into a circular booth. The backs of the seats provided privacy with a small garden of exotic plants. Kelri wondered if it was all just for show of if they possibly grew some of their own spices in the actual restaurant.

Kelri wore a dress that Cozca had provided. It was long. Black. Perfectly tailored to cling to her belly. Everyone stared as she passed. She was sure even the band on the very bottom brass and glass terrace stammered out a measure of music at the sight of her. She was quite pleased at how the table pressed into her belly, making it crease, folding part of it up and down. The hostess asked awkwardly if there was anything they needed. Kelri said no, but gave an unconscious proud pat to her stomach and sent her on her way.

Connor slid in next to her from the far side so she didn't have to move any farther in. "You sure that's comfortable?" He asked, gesturing at how tight she was stuffed into the booth.

"It's getting too big to expect people to accommodate for me," Kelri said, again proudly patting her stomach. "And plus. We're partly here to show off for Myre's boyfriend. To get him to see he's not alone. Can't do that while being modest."

"Hah. Right."

***

"Huh?" The look the hostess gave Myre was one of confusion. Or shock. It was hard to tell.

Myre repeated what she said. "Were her for Ms Rivera, party of 4."

"Yes. Of course..." The hostess said, smoothing out the crease in her dress. "Follow me please."

"What was that?" Evan whispered.

Myre shrugged and pulled Evan along.

From the look on his face, Evan had never been to a 'fancy' restaurant before. It was fair. Cliffrun wasn't exactly known for fine dining, even if it was a somewhat upper class vacation town. He looked more like a waiter in his dress shirt than a patron. The look of discomfort and awe on his face faded once he saw the table they were being seated at. More specifically, once Kelri came into view, the marvelous open architecture and the classic brass decor ceased to keep his attention. It was more or less the reaction she hoped from him. She nudged him into the round booth next to Connor.

"Hi!" Myre said. "Evan, this is Kelri, and her boyfriend Connor. Kelri and Connor, this is my wonderful boyfriend Evan."

Evan shook hands with Kelri, and then Connor. He meeked out a 'nice to meet you'.