Jean-Claude leaned back on the ornamental chair and surveyed the scene. The sidewalks were laden with strolling couples and families, while the traffic in the street honked and snarled as always. And, across from him, the lovely Louise was sipping gently at her drink.

"Bon, eh?" she remarked, asking if the meal had agree with him.

"But of course! Magnifique! But everything they touch here turns to culinary gold," he replied. In truth, he had eaten a bit too much - the appetiser, the entre-cote, the fish, the pasta, a shared steak with Louise - but she liked to have a little of many things, and when he had good food in front of him, well... he liked to eat. It was his weakness, his little indulgence, and Louise knew it. Seemed to like it, too, or at least to like the effects of it, as she never complained about him getting fat, not like some of his past paramours.... no, given the way she turned up with gifts of new, bigger clothes, she must like it.

And, he thought to himself, this shirt certainly suited his growing middle - it curved beautifully over it, not at all tight or restraining, yet showed it off.

Still, someday he must cut back a bit - it wouldn't do to get too big, eh? Louise seemed to like it, and many of his friends were also getting bigger now - was it something in the air? Anyway, his current girth seemed sufficient, no sense getting much bigger than...