Page 27 of False Start

Maya is smiling from ear to ear, but Tiffany looks confused.

"I've seen signs for New York Fashion Week all over the subway. It's in, like, three weeks. But you just turned in sketches?"

I clutch my chest.

"I'm in theFebruaryshow, thank goodness! If I were in the one next month and had just turned in my sketches, you would've had to book me into Blackwell's Island." At Tiffany's blank stare, I add, "The insane asylum on Roosevelt Island."

"There will be rounds of sketches and prototypes before the looks are locked. Then, they'll source the fabrics, sew the approved designs, and cast the models," Maya explains.

I nod. I sometimes forget Maya nearly joined me as an Apparel Design major at Pratt. The waiter returns with our food, and I blink in disbelief. That was fast!

"That sounds intense," Tiffany mumbles around a mouth full of hazelnut maple praline pancakes. They look almost as good as my dish, but I'm too much of a carnivore to resist steak & eggs.

"It'sbeyondintense. But I love it, especially since I finally get to work on extended sizes."

Maya's mouth drops.

"What?! You never told me Bailey Maxwell was doing a plus-size line!"

I'm smiling so hard now, my face is starting to hurt.

"Yup! I found out in the lead-up to the wedding. My bad for not mentioning something sooner. This'll be their first year with the new sizes. The team lead saw the custom clothes on my social media and brought me on specifically for the new line."

Maya pulls me into a tight hug, and Tiffany joins, draping herself over both our shoulders.

"That's so great, D," Maya raves. "It's about time you get to do a project for us big girls!"

"Yeah," Tiffany agrees. "I drool over your socials at least once a week."

Their praise makes my insides feel warm and mushy. Maya's been cheering me on since my first show as an intern at Pratt. Then here comes Tiffany, a new friend, but no less supportive.

"Thanks, you guys. It means a lot. It's still pretty early on, but I can't wait to see the clothes on the models."

Tiffany and Maya start to list their favorite plus-size models while I dig into my food. I'm partial to Kendra Gray, but model selection is above my pay grade. I'm just glad I finally finished those sketches. After things got a little too personal with Cory, I went home that night and worked like a madwoman. I needed to clear my head.

Why did he have to ask about the tattoo? I guess I can't blame him for being curious—it is practically right under my boob, and he was up close and personal with that area all night. But really, what's it to him? We're fuck buddies, not friends.

I got the tattoo the day of the funeral—a semicolon, a symbol someone has been impacted by suicide. I walked into the church, saw Andre's college graduation picture and Mom and Dad crying, and walked right back out. The tattoo parlor was only a few blocks away, and I just needed to do something,anything, to feel like I had some control. Like life wouldn't keep taking things I loved without asking.

I made it back for the eulogy, bleary-eyed and tipsy from whiskey I bought at the liquor store right next to the tattoo place. Even devastated over Andre, I could feel my parents' disappointment.We all grieve in our own way, Mom and Dad! I'm sorry you lost theonechild you cared about.

I take another drink from my mimosa and blink back the tears that threaten to spill.

"Ashley Graham is beautiful, though! She's been my hall pass whenever I'm in a relationship," Tiffany laughs.

"But Precious Lee isgoals! I would literally kill to look like her," Maya argues. "Youdolook like her," she says, gesturing at me with her fork, "if you permed your hair instead of wearing braids."

"Yes, please, on looking like Precious Lee," I reply, "butno, thank youon the creamy crack. I kicked that habit in college and I'm never going back."

"Here, here!" Maya proclaims with a grin, raising her drink. She stopped perming her hair around the same time I did, though she opted for locs instead of braids. We clink our glasses together before falling out into yet another fit of giggles.

I look around the table and see incredible women. Tiffany is quickly establishing herself as a "ride or die". And Maya? She supported me when my blood relatives couldn't care less.

I think about my time with Cory, and delayed guilt overwhelms me. What kind of friend hooks up with a guy that treated her best friend like shit? And she can't be the only one. A guy like him has likely trampled on more hearts than he can count.I should know better.

That settles it. The last time with Cory wasthe last time. No dick is worth betraying your family.

Chapter thirteen

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