Bon Bons to Yoga Pants

Chapter 37-Bradley is Here

"Hey, Lexie, can you bring out the éclairs?"

Pat called to me from the front bar of Lucky's, where the Friday night regulars had started filtering in to watch the latest sports highlights. I'd never minded working Friday night, as it gave me a solid excuse for not having a date. These days, however, I was beginning to wish I did have a date. One that went by the name of Bradley.

July seemed so far away, and yet, not far enough.

"Got it!" I called back, shutting the mega-fridge and purposefully keeping my eyes away from the tasty pasties that one of the regulars had bought by for their Boy's Night Club tonight. Before, I would have stolen one before I brought them out—and no doubt they bought one for me because they were nice like that—but this time I didn't bother. I'd officially been losing weight for two months. My size sixteen jeans wore so comfortably now that just a few more Zumba classes with Kenzie and wogs with Megan would put me in a sleek fourteen. Besides, two more weeks would be another weigh in. I might not be focusing on the number as much, but I still wanted it to go down.

My phone buzzed as I walked past it on the back counter, but I ignored it, beckoned by the call of men screaming at the TV in the front. By the time I made my way out of the back, all seven of them were throwing balled up napkins and shooting straw wrappers at the TV while banging their fists on the bar.

"Here you go." I plopped the éclairs in the middle of the bar and grabbed my apron from the hook just below the counter. They applauded.

"Lexie?" Called one of the old Irish men, a hint of a brogue on the edge of his voice. "Is that you?"

"What happened?" cried another. "Where are ya going?"

"She's lost weight."

"Yeah. She looks good. Leave her alone."

"Lexie, I'm free tonight!"

I laughed at their rising chorus and waved them off—secretly pleased that the old farts had even noticed—and turned my attention to the customers the hostess had just seated on the far side of the bar. Lucky's was filling up fast. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and nearly cringed. I'd had to settle with putting my hair in a haphazard, loose bun on top of my head. Cooked cabbage stains smeared my apron, and I looked as tired as I felt.

"Well," I muttered, fishing for a pen in the pocket of my apron, "at least I'm not out to impress anyone."

A group of four college boys—no doubt football players by their large size—waited around a table in the back corner. I pulled my notepad out of my pocket as I approached. Usually I would have kept my eyes averted while I took their order—nothing was more awkward than being a chubby girl approaching a table of jocks—but tonight I didn't, and it felt good to even pretend like I had the same confidence Megan had.

"Welcome to Lucky's," I said with a smile. "What can I get you?"

"Whoa. Wait. Lexie?"

The man against the wall on the left straightened. My heart leapt into my throat. For one terrifying moment I was completely and utterly breathless.

"Bradley?" I whispered.

Those familiar pond-water hazel eyes crinkled with a grin. He shook his head in disbelief and nudged his friend in the arm. "Dude, this is the girl I was telling you about. The one I've been talking to that lives here? I can't believe it!" He turned back to me. "I had no idea you worked here. We were just looking for a place to eat tonight. I tried texting and calling but you never answered. I can see why now!"

He stood up, arms spread wide, and wrapped me a bear hug that would have entirely swallowed a lesser human. Football player was right. His shoulders were as wide as a barn in real life, and thick too. He had the look of being strong, like a corn-fed farmer boy that could move water pipe but also eat half the table.