Free The Beast Loves Curves by J. S. Scott Page A

girlfriend that Abbie supposed must fit his so- called new image.
     
    As Abbie sat her size eighteen butt in her office chair and collected her client folders her eyes misted over. It still hurt so badly. She had known Tim was slightly shallow, but she had never realized he was playing her until he found a job. She had just been a place to sleep and eat. An occasional really bad lay, according to him. The bastard had even had the audacity to lecture her about being overweight before he left, saying her sex life would always be as horrible and unexciting as it was with him unless she dropped weight. He had been brutal and unapologetic.
     
    Abbie sighed as she continued to collect her files. He was right about the sex. It had been bad. Always in the dark and she was never comfortable or particularly excited. Tim had touched her as little as possible and it was over with quickly.
     
    "Please tell me you are not going to cry over the world's most selfish and shallow asshole...again" The kind but chastising female voice that sounded over her shoulder made Abbie jump. Her best friend Sandy's quick grab at her files was the only thing that kept them from hitting the floor.
     
    Abbie's heart was racing as she turned in her chair. "You scared me."
     
    Sandy pulled up a chair and sat beside her. "The only reason I scared you is because you are mooning over "the pig" again." Sandy put a hand on Abbie's shoulder. "He doesn't deserve one single tear, honey. You're better off without him. Now maybe you can find a man that appreciates you."
     
    That was so easy for Sandy to say. She was blonde, petite and pretty. She was also married to a very successful and handsome attorney. What did she know about being alone and hopeless? "He's right. I need to lose weight."
     
    Abbie heard Sandy's snort of disgust before she answered, "Abbie, he needs to get a clue. You're beautiful, successful, smart and sweet. It's his loss."
     
    Didn't all best friends say things like that? Abbie's eyes filled with moisture as tears dripped down her cheeks at her friend's words. Maybe she couldn't get a guy...but she had great friends. "You have to say that because you're my friend." Abbie smiled through her tears as she looked up at Sandy.
     
    Sandy rolled her eyes. "I'm saying it because it's true. I would kill for your bust. You're full figured, Abbie. Lots of guys like that." Sandy also wouldn't mind having Abbie's porcelain doll face or the long black curls that cascaded down her back. She'd love to murder the guy that did a number on someone like Abbie.
     
    Abbie reached for her tissues and pulled a few from the box. At the rate she went through tissues lately she wished she had bought stock in the company before her break up. "Guys are not looking for a size eighteen. Sandy, I appreciate that you are trying to cheer me up, but I'm okay."
     
    She was okay. Mostly. Rationally, Abbie knew that Tim was a creep, but his comments had hurt and dug at a wound that had always been there. She had always been a big girl. Even in grade school and high school, she had been plus size. Her mother called it "full figured" like Sandy did. Her dad called her vivacious and robust. Abbie called a spade a spade...she was fat.
     
    She had tried to lose weight but she swore that she had the fat gene. She hiked, she walked, she dieted. The extra curves never left her body.
     
    "There's a guy out there for you, Abbie. Please don't cry anymore over a bastard like Tim." Sandy patted Abbie's shoulder and handed her the box of tissues.
     
    Abbie pulled a few more from the box and dropped it on the desk. No more crying. She'd always been a tough woman. It was time to stop the waterworks routine. She was laying off men for a while. Tim might have wounded her, but he hadn't broken her. She would live.
     
    Her resolve strengthened, she told Sandy, "I have to give you my projects. I've been recruited for a special project." She gave a last swipe to her face and tossed the used