Page 11 of Eat Slay Love

No.

This moment was mine.

The high-level suite I’d splurged on?

Mine.

The black fur coat that gave me a very classic Hollywood look.

Mine.

The shimmering hot pink gown that hugged every curve—hips, thighs, belly, bust—like a second skin?

Mine.

The confidence simmering in my chest?

All mine.

Laila pulled my attention back to her. "Promise me you'll have the time of your life tonight."

“I promise.”

“No matter how the night goes, okay? Remember, you're a queen."

“I am a queen.” I strode forward.

Heads turned as I moved through the lobby—men and women alike. Some glanced discreetly, their gazes darting to me and then away, while others lingered,openlywatching.

I couldn’t tell if their attention was because I looked fucking amazing tonight or because they weren’t used to seeing a plus-sized woman unapologetically owning her space in a shimmering, bright pink gown that was anything but subtle.

In fact, a lesser version of me might have shrunken under their gaze, might have smoothed her hands over her hips or tugged at the hem of her dress in an effort to disappear.

But tonight?

Tonight, I was done with hiding.

Done with blending into the background.

Done with playing small to make other people feel comfortable.

BBW women were always told to wear black. Always encouraged to hide their bodies in shapeless,flatteringsilhouettes that promised invisibility.

The world didn’t want us to stand out—not too much, not like this.

But tonight, I was saying to hell with all of that.

You are worthy. You are deserving. You are goddamn beautiful.

I made those words my mantra, repeating them from the moment I left the movie set, throughout the entire plane ride, and even as I unpacked and got ready in New York.

I didn’t just let them float through my mind—I clung to them like a lifeline, letting them echo in every corner of my thoughts.

Over and over, they looped:You are worthy. You are deserving. You are enough.

And then something shifted.

For the first time in a long time, I felt those words take root deep within me, anchoring themselves in places I hadn’t realized were still hollow.

---