Page 165 of Plus Size Player

“My best friend is picking me up,” I replied as we climbed in the van.

She gave me a sly smile. “Okay, girl.”

The pit in my stomach grew.

She fucking knows.

25

The paperwork didn’t just declare that Russ and I were in a relationship. It stripped my ability to sue the company for anything in regard to the relationship. That was the only sticking point for my uncle, and he advised me not to sign it. And while I understood why they felt the waiver of liability was necessary, I would never sue Russ or RLF if things didn’t work out. I would never try to tear down what he’d worked so hard to build. But I knew that it wasn’t about me, the relationship, or even protecting Russ. It was about protecting the company. And I had to sit with all of that for a minute because my uncle wasn’t wrong. Itwasa risk to agree to those terms.

Is it worth it? Is he worth it?My uncle’s questions swirled around in my head as I read the contract for the fourth time, coming to the same undeniable conclusion.Yes.

Nina: I read the paperwork from your lawyer, printed it, and signed it already. Can’t wait for you to get back!

Russ: I signed it, too. But I have some bad news.

I stared at the text message for a second and immediately thought about Taisha. Even though I’d thought about telling him Monday night when I got home from New York, I knew he had a big day on Tuesday, and I didn’t want to get in his head. So, my plan was to tell him that I thought Taisha suspected when he got home, but his flight got delayed. He was stuck in the airport with at least five RLF employees and it just didn’t feel like the right time.

Especially since I don’t know if she knows for sure.

Nina: What’s wrong?

Russ: My flight just got delayed. Again. Now I’m supposed to land at eleven o’clock. I won’t get home until almost midnight.

Nina: They’ve delayed it twice. You don’t think they’re going to cancel it altogether, do you?

Russ: I hope not. I’m just ready to be home. I had plans for you. I’m sitting in this airport trying not to be rude to the team, but all I can think about is getting back to you.

Nina: If you think saying stuff like that is going to get me to fuck you, you’re right.

Russ: Yo, what is wrong with you? I’m laughing my ass off.

Curling my legs up onto the couch, I smiled. He had a long day with meetings as he concluded Fashion Week. I knew the three extra hours at the airport didn’t help, so I was glad to lift his spirits.

Nina: I’m looking forward to you getting back. I miss you.

Russ: I miss you, too. You have no idea.

Nina: That video call last night gave me some idea.

Russ: I was trying to do all the things I was talking about doing to you tonight.

Nina: I had an outfit all planned out for you to make good on your promises.

Russ: We have that meeting tomorrow and I’ll submit our paperwork. Since our relationship will be on the up-and-up, I’m taking you out, bringing you back home, and then fucking you the way I’ve been wanting to fuck you for a week.

Nina: I love everything about that plan.

I texted with Russ off and on all Tuesday night up until he boarded his flight. I stayed awake until he landed and talked to him his entire drive home. He was exhausted so we said good night, but I remained up for another hour. Flipping through the channels, I stopped when I saw a familiar face. The name wasn’t on the screen anymore, but I recognized the face.

Grabbing my phone, I took a semi-blurry picture of the image on my screen and then sent it to the group chat.

Nina: Is this who I think it is?

No one replied before I fell asleep. But when I woke up, I had several text messages.

Aaliyah: Is that Jazz’s man?

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