Page 73 of Curvy Girl Summer

“No. But honestly, it doesn’t matter. If you cancel on me, I’m over it. If you cancel on me after being an hour late, you’re dead to me. Because honestly, why did you even reach out?”

I snickered. “Dead to you? Really, Nina?”

“Really,” she confirmed with finality. “But everything happens for a reason. Because of that man’s death, I will be able to catch the whole India Davis show with my best friend.”

“I’m sorry about your date, but I’m glad you won’t miss the opening acts, and we can be there together. His loss is my gain.”

“Look at God!”

“Rest in peace to… what was his name?”

“The departed,” she deadpanned.

I cackled.

Nina and I met at the Lyric Lounge twenty minutes later. She was five foot ten without heels on, so I could spot her in a crowd easily. But not just because of her height; her bold style stood out. Her full figure was scarcely covered in a two-piece outfit. The bra-like top could barely cover her large breasts, and as she made her way toward me, men gawked. She paid them no mind as she passed by them, but I knew her well enough to know she was loving the attention.

After a quick hug and an exchange of compliments, Nina and I got in line. We were only waiting for about ten minutes before they let in the first wave of people. Because we were early, we got a great spot on a platform to the right of the stage. Everyone assumed rushing the stage and trying to be in the front row was the best place to be. But as I swept my eyes over the room, it was confirmed that we had the best vantage point in the building.

The Lyric Lounge was one of my favorite venues. The sound quality was amazing. No matter who performed, their voice was magnified and beautifully highlighted in the state-of-the-art sound system. We could be anywhere in the building, and it would sound great. But my favorite spot offered a bird’s-eye view of the stage, of the artist performing and feeding off the crowd, of the crowd engaged and vibing with the artist. Sometimes I’d come to shows and just people-watch, taking it all in.

“I left my umbrella in the car!” I realized with wide eyes.

“I didn’t think it was going to rain until after midnight, so I didn’t even bring one.” She pouted. “Hopefully, it won’t rain until late, and we’ll be good.”

“I hope so.”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “You know what’ll fix this?”

“Drinks!” we said in unison.

“I’m going to get us drinks. Two each,” Nina announced. “I’ll keep my head on a swivel to see if there are any potentials for us on the way to the bar.”

“Oh!” I gasped. “That reminds me.” I pulled my phone out and opened the TenderFish app. Showing her the man who had messaged me a couple of days ago, I filled her in. “This guy asked me to meet up with him on Friday, but because I already have a date with Silas, I had to push him to next week. But on the way here, look what he said.”

I watched her face as she read the message from the sexy and poetic Lennox.

With an open-mouth smile, she glanced up at me. “If you give me the opportunity to know you, I’ll make the most of it,” she read. “Oh, he’s smooth! I like that energy.”

“Yeah.” I took the phone back from her. “He’s talking a good game.”

“Well, I’m still going to keep an eye out for potentials. There’s nothing wrong with having more than one in the mix. A little competition never hurt no one.” She winked. “Gotta have at least four on the roster.”

Amused, I shook my head. “I’ll hold our spots,” I said, widening my stance and taking up more room.

She rushed off to the bar and not even two minutes later, a group of people stormed the platform.

“Excuse me,” a woman said, nudging me gently.

My nose wrinkled and my forehead creased as she was trying to wedge herself between my body and the rail I was leaning against. “Uh… what are you doing? This is where I’m standing,” I told her.

“You could move over.”

I tightened my grip on the railing. “My friend and I are here. You can find a different spot.”

She huffed and looked over at her friend—a man—and stamped her foot. “She won’t move, Stephen!”

The man she was with approached. “Can you please let her get your spot? Please. India is her favorite artist.”

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