The Big, Not-So-Small, Curvy Girls' Dating Agency: Plush Daisies: BBW Romance, #1

By Ava Catori

Becky Holgate is in trouble with a capital T. She can't stop thinking about Reed. The problem is—he's engaged to another woman! How can she be a matchmaker for others when all she thinks about was her own heart? Determined to ignore her latest infatuation, she sets her sights on building her small business, but it's near impossible with Reed on her mind. She can barely concentrate—their every encounter leaves her breathless.

 

When Becky enters Reed's world, he's thrown for a loop. She curvy, carefree, and fresh—a total plus-size package. Her soft shape and playful heart leaves him questioning what he thought he wanted. Could he be with the wrong girl? He needs to figure it out fast, because his wedding day is inching closer by the minute.

With a laugh-out-loud best friend, a zany cat, and a business to run, Becky faces her biggest challenge yet—figuring out her next move. The Big, Not-So-Small, Curvy Girls Dating Agency is a funny romance book with a plus-size lead character that's sassy, easy to read, and perfect for the weekend.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Apr 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497737662

Book preview

Chapter 1

ZAFTIG? WHAT IS THAT? Becky crinkled her nose. It sounds like some free-floating made-up word.

You could always go with chubby, chunky, or plump, Sam suggested.

Becky winced. Just not fat. Okay? That one makes me cringe.

Ooh, I’ve got it. What about burly or the always flattering bovine?

Becky doubled over. The dam burst with a chuckle which led to uncontrolled laughter. She gasped, caught her breath, and was certain it was under control. But as soon as it faded, giggles bubbled out again.

Through tear-stained eyes, Sam shrieked, Bovine! 

Becky pleaded for mercy. Stop! My sides hurt. Can you imagine? Oh my gosh, I can’t breathe. Give me a minute...

Sam attempted to regain control of her laughter.

Becky drew a deep breath. "If I go with bovine, I could use a cow for the logo.  Bovine Beauties, it makes you want to rush right out and sign up for a date."

After the giggles died down, they tossed around more ideas for Becky’s upcoming business venture. She had a vision of what she’d wanted but couldn’t put her finger on the right name. Building a plus-sized, curvy girl dating agency would take time, but without a great name, what was the point?

Samantha leaned forward, picked up the opened bottle of wine, and refilled her glass. Seriously, when talking about my size, I guess I’m most comfortable with plus size or curvy. But when you start to say words like large or big, I panic and suck in my gut.

Becky sighed. "Yeah, I guess plus isn’t insulting. What about lush? It sounds nice, though, I’m not sure it fits."

Plus, lush... I guess one of those might work.

Plus, plush, lush... Wait! That’s it! Becky’s eyes popped open wide. What about plush?

Samantha ran it over her tongue, Plush. Actually, I kind of like it.

Right? Becky took a sip of wine, then said the word a few more times, making sure she still liked it.

Sam held up her glass in a toast. I think we have a winner. It’s got a nice ring to it. What was the other part you were thinking of?

Daisies. Is that cheesy? It would be Plush Daisies. She waited for her friend’s judgment.

Eh, I’m a dog groomer. What do I know? I think Plush Daisies is cute.

Oh please, you’re a genius with names, Ms. Scrub-a-Dub-Doggies. Yeah, the more I hear it, the more I like it... Plush Daisies. It gives it a mouthy, voluptuous feel. Becky clapped her hands in relief. Finally! I’ve struggled with this name for way too long.

After a bottle of wine, Becky Holgate’s business plan had one more item checked off. Her idea of building a plus-size dating agency was genius. Now, she had to convince the bank to float her a loan. Without one, she’d be stuck.

Excited and ready to get her business off the ground, it was the last piece of the puzzle she’d needed. She’d finish the paperwork the following day, and finally apply for a business loan.

SAMANTHA SHOUTED INTO her phone with disgust. Her best friend’s business crumbled before it could even start. What do you mean they turned you down? Holy shit! Do they think fat women don’t need to date? That’s discrimination. You should fight them.

Becky sighed. I know... It’s a great idea. But they said I don’t have enough background experience. I guess it doesn’t matter now. It’s over.

Over? You can’t give up that easily. Fund it another way. Hell, I’d invest in you if I had any actual money. I’ll be paying off this stupid mobile grooming van until I’m eighty.

Thanks, Sammy. I’ll figure it out. I’m not ready to give up on Plush Daisies yet. Maybe I’ll take out a personal loan or start the business out of my home.

That’s the spirit, Becks. Don’t give up. Anyway, I’ve got to run. I have to fix up Franken-Fido. His owner tried to clip him and let me tell you it isn’t pretty.

Right, good luck with the pup. I’ll talk to you later. Becky frowned and kicked her feet up onto her coffee table. She’d thought it all through. Her plans seemed cohesive, smart, and strategic. She just didn’t count on them turning her down.

The only good news that came out of the situation was that she wouldn’t have a big fat loan to pay back. The bad news was she had no idea how to pony up the cash to get started.

Becky got up and went to the kitchen. She popped open the freezer and stared down the Double-Double-Chocolate-Trouble pint of ice cream. It smiled and winked at her, whispering sweet nothings. She almost dug it out of the freezer, and almost grabbed a spoon, and almost downed the sweet, sweet chocolate, but a shred of willpower held its ground.

She turned from the kitchen and grabbed her jacket, which sat on a coat tree by the front door. Determined to outmaneuver the impulsive habit of reaching for sweets, she bolted out the door to get away from the situation. The last thing she needed was to drown her sorrows in empty calories.

She hated how fast she turned to sweet salvation, but it was easier than dealing with her frustration and feelings. If she’d craved asparagus or eggs, she wouldn’t carry guilt. Stress put a spoon in her hand or lit her credit cards on fire. If it wasn’t food, she shopped. If it wasn’t shopping, she ate. She traded compulsions far too easily. At least her mother didn’t see her credit card bills. As for her fuller hips, her mother always had something to say.

SHE DIDN’T MEAN TO come home with a little ball of fur. She wasn’t looking for a pet. She had no intentions of getting a cat, but when the tiny orange tabby tapped the glass at the pet store, then looked right into her eyes, there was no going back.

It was a mistake to go inside and ask to see the kitten. It’s as if every ounce of strength she’d ever had was sapped away. Her willpower sat at ground zero, and her ability to withstand the kitten’s cuteness was gone.

In a small room, she sat with the baby cat. She raked her fingers through the kitty’s soft coat. It mewed softly. Becky melted into a puddle of butter. The kitten had the sweetest mew she’d ever heard.

Her voice raised two octaves. What do you think of the name Bella, princess?

The soft puffball looked up. Her eyes sparkled with affection.

Yes! This was a good idea. She needed this. A sweet, innocent kitten was just what the doctor ordered. It would be nice to have a cat to bond with.

Chapter 2

BAD KITTY! BECKY SCOLDED. Get off of that.

Bella terrorized a jacket which was draped over the back of a kitchen chair. She clung to the material. Her sharp, razor-like nails sank deep into the material.

Becky scowled. That tiny demon cat ruined everything. She picked up her coat and examined the damage. Cussing under her breath, she put it on the coat rack, where it should have been in the first place.

The phone rang.

Becky muttered into the phone. Stupid ass cat is going to ruin all my clothes.

No, hello? Nice greeting. Besides, Bella’s sweet, Sam countered.

You mean the cat from hell? Sure, sweet if you don’t count the damage she’s done. It’s insane, or more accurately that cat is insane. She strategically pulled all the toilet paper off the roll yesterday, then proceeded to shred it into tiny pieces. Do you know how long it took me to clean up? There were cottony shreds everywhere. How can one little, itty, bitty kitty do so much damage?

Come on, she’s soft and snuggly at least half of the time, Sam said.

Becky sighed. Half, I’ll give you that, but it’s the other half that’s driving me batty.

She’s still a baby. When all she does is curl up in a ball and sleep all day, you’ll miss her fun innocence. Hey, what are you doing tonight? I’ve got a bottle of wine and a great idea.

Fun innocence... yeah right. I ache for those days. Becky turned toward Bella. Yes, I’m talking about you. And yes, I’m free. What time?

How about seven o’clock? I’ve got a poodle to clip, but then I’m free.

Sounds good. I’ll see you then.

Bella jumped onto the kitchen table, then hopped across to the counter.

Hey! Get down. Why couldn’t I pick a mellow cat?

BECKY SORTED THROUGH the handful of applications she’d received. She’d been looking at ways to put her business together on the cheap. If the bank wouldn’t lend her money, she’d have to bootstrap it. The idea was too good to pass up.

She’d ran an ad in a local paper and asked curvy women to fill out a form. She didn’t have an actual website yet but found a free site that let her use temporary forms.

Once she had a few applications, she printed them out to read. She wanted a pool of twenty to thirty women before she opened for business, though, she might have to settle for ten. At this point, she’d only received five.

Insecurity crept in, ready to stomp on her dreams. With only five applications... it felt fruitless. How could she offer a dating service without paying customers?

That was the part she’d struggled with the most. Convincing people to part with their cash. How would she convince the applicants that she was worth betting on?

To start, she’d offer her services for free, at least for the first three months. The biggest hurdle was in pairing people up. If she didn’t successfully match people, she’d never get new clients to subscribe. With only five applications, Becky had her work cut out for her.

Plush Daisies was supposed