Page 39 of Renascence

We head back into the diner, quietly climbing into our booth.

“Hey, you two!” Sheila bounces over, grinning and winking at me.

“Hey, Sheila. Two burgers with fries. A raspberry lemonade for her, and a beer for me.”

Emily waits until the waitress disappears before narrowing her eyes at me.

“Emily.” I take her hand. “I told you this morning, I like you just the way you are. To me, your body is fucking perfection. However, being happy with yourself is more important than what people think of you. If you think you need to lose weight to be happy… if it’s something you want to do for you, and not to please some asshole who didn’t know what he had, then I’ll help you.”

“You will?”

“Of course. I’ll come up with a meal plan and workout regimen for you that won’t involve you starving yourself.”

“I’m not starving myself. I eat.” Her eyes drop to the table. “I just need to lose twenty pounds. That’s it.”

“That’s it, huh? What are you, five seven, five eight?”

“Five eight.”

“About one-fifty?” She cringes, trying to pull her hand from mine. “I need info if I’m going to help you, Em.”

“One-sixty,” she answers quietly.

I quickly do the math, her BMI telling me what I already know. “You know you’re at a normal weight for someone your height, right?”

Her brows crease, nose crinkling in deep thought.

“I’m going to need some basic health info, and if you want to go ahead, I’ll talk to one of the trainers at the gym and work something out for you.”

She finally meets my stare, her fingers tightening around mine. “Thank you.”

“No need, babe. I want you to be happy.” Tears shimmer in her eyes, but she quickly wipes them away when Sheila shows up with our food. “You can thank me by cleaning your plate.”

She eyes the juicy burger, licking her lips.

“Enjoy, sugar,” Sheila throws over her shoulder as she walks away.

“I don’t know….” Emily shakes her head, looking between me and her plate.

“Eat, Em. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

Hesitantly, she picks it up and takes a bite. Her appreciative moan warms my body. I dig into mine, the taste just a little better as I watch her enjoy her meal. She doesn’t speak, and I don’t bother her. I finish, relishing in my view as I drink my beer. It’s such a simple thing, yet it seems to be pumping life into her. She’s been depriving herself for too long, and not only with food. Emily deserves everything that’s good in this world, and I’ll see to it that she gets it, or die trying.

After wiping her fingers with a napkin, she reaches for her drink, flashing me a dazzling smile.

“That was awesome! I don’t think I remember burgers being this good.”

“I’m glad. I need you full for the night I have planned for you.”

She almost chokes on her lemonade.

“You mean with the… everything and… s-stuff?” she stutters.

“Every…thing.” I lean forward, grasping her knee under the table. She gasps, licking her lips. “Luckily you had a good night’s sleep. You won’t be getting any tonight.”

“Jesus.”

“No, darlin’. Even he can’t save you from what’s coming.”