Page 11 of Ripped & Shipped
“Hey. I was wondering what you’re doing for dinner.”
“I don’t have plans, but we’ve also got nothing in the kitchen but a few frozen burritos and some bananas that have seen better days.”
“Want me to pick something up at the grocery? I feel like cooking.”
“Do you think I’m going to turn down someone buying groceries and cooking for me?”
“Good point. I’ll see you at home.”
I almost hang up, but then Meg asks, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Why?”
“You sound a little off. And you want to cook.”
“I love to cook.”
“Yes. And you also offer to cook when you’re trying to distract yourself from something.”
“I think I’m just nervous about this collab with Drake. I want things to go well.”
“You’re a sensation for a reason. He might have more followers, but I’ve seen his videos. You’ve got ten times the personality he has. He’s lucky to be collaborating with you.”
“Awww. Thanks.”
Meg has no idea how much I needed to hear those words. She may not know social media. And she’s definitely biased where I’m concerned. But her encouragement still takes some of the edge off what I’ve been feeling since that DM from Genesis came through.
“See you at home, you rock star,” she says. “Go put the YOU in fabulous.”
“Thanks.”
I chuckle as I hang up. Nothing like having my tagline thrown in my face at a key moment of self-doubt.
CHAPTER6
Ella Mae
The Kroger parkinglot is relatively packed. I guess I’m not the only one out hunting for supper last minute. I put the car in park and grab a cart on my way in.
I’m hunched over my phone in the produce section, typing in a short list of items we probably need when a certain deep voice catches my attention from somewhere over near the root vegetables.
Chris.
He hasn’t seen me yet, so I grab my cart and make a beeline to the center aisles. I’m pretty sure that man never eats junk food, so I’m relatively safe hanging out next to the Pop-Tarts and Fruit Loops.
I finish my list and start to push my way down the aisle when a notification pings from my insta account. I wheel the cart off to the side of the aisle and pull up my app.
@GenesisAssistsStars
I talked to Drake. He wants to meet you next Wednesday at Frisch’s Big Boy in Columbus. I’m attaching a file link with the details of what you should post on your account leading up to the collab. Feel free to hype this up however you want. You’ll meet Drake at 5:00. Filming starts at 5:30. His local crew will be with him. Dress as cute as you always do. And, I’m quoting Drake here, be sure to bring that “vibrant” personality of yours.
My cheeks hurt from the smile that stretches across my face. Drake thinks I have a vibrant personality. I’ve been called a lot of things over the years: loud, obnoxious, outspoken, wild, free-spirited, crazy, flamboyant, and even self-absorbed. I don’t think I’ve ever been calledvibrant.
I like it.
“This calls for steak!” I say out loud to no one but me, just as an overly-muscled torso turns the corner and enters the cereal aisle, taking up more space than a man should be allowed to occupy.
His eyes narrow in on me. He doesn’t smile. As a matter of fact, his face could be on a statue for the lack of expression. It’s an objectively beautiful face. Breathtaking, actually. He’s got this combination of softness and hard lines that make him seem like he could be your best friend while simultaneously protecting you in a dark alley. It’s an overwhelming juxtaposition of features on one man. His jawline and nose have sharp, angular edges, while his eyes, cheeks, and forehead all have a roundness that give off a more approachable look. Not that he’s approachable. He’s anything but.
