Page 129 of Plus Size Player

“Having me naked and in your bed?”

“Having you.”

My cheeks heated as he disappeared down the hall.

Falling back against the plush pillows, I looked around theroom. From the dark brown wood grain headboard that rhythmically knocked against the white wall throughout the night to the plush sand-colored carpet, Russ’s bedroom looked like it was straight out of a catalog. There was no art or decorations on the wall. While blue was his favorite color, outside of the blue comforter that matched the blue curtains, there were no personal touches that made it stand out as his.

I closed my eyes for what felt like two seconds and woke up an hour later.

“Oh shit,” I grumbled groggily as I pushed myself out of his bed.

Stumbling to the bathroom, I gasped when I entered. There was an entire basket full of toiletries waiting for me. Soaps, bodywash, lotion, sponges, exfoliating nets, deodorant, facial scrub, toothpaste, and an electric toothbrush were sitting on the sink with a note attached.

“Nina’s essentials,” I read aloud.

I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and took a long hot shower. When I emerged, a feeling washed over me. I looked over at the items on the counter and then I noticed my reflection. The smile on my face was big and bright. It was almost embarrassing.

Not me grinning to myself.

Nina: I just got out of the shower. When did you have time to put together this gift basket? I didn’t see it last night.

Russ: You had me distracted last night and I didn’t even think about it until this morning. Did it have everything you needed?

Nina: Every single thing. And it’s the right brands and everything. How did you know?

Russ: I pay attention.

I felt my entire body flush with his response. Giddily, I dried myself off and pulled on a pair of his sweatpants and my shirt from the night before. I made his bed and then grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. I left his place a little before nine o’clock.

Nina: I’m leaving now. I locked the door and turned off all the lights.

After sending the text, I immediately went to my group chat with Aaliyah and Jazmyn.

Nina: Is anyone available?!

Jazz: I’m packing and then getting on the road. I can call you when I start driving.

Nina: Oh yeah, I forgot you had to pack a whole summer’s worth of stuff. You focus on getting back here safely and we’ll talk when you’re free.

Aaliyah: Call you soon!

I stopped by Charlotte’s Webb to pick up my dress for Aaliyah’s party. I was just saying goodbye to Charlotte when I received the text from Russ.

Russ: Thank you. Alarm is on. Keep the key. It’s yours.

By the time I got home, I knew I was going to drive myself mad if I didn’t talk to someone. I needed to have some different perspectives regarding the situation I found myself in, and with lovestruck Aaliyah and jaded Jazmyn, I knew I’d be able to figure out a way forward. Their differing perspectives would help me make sense of things. But since they weren’t available, I had no choice but to call the one person I knew was going to have the exact same reaction as me about the whole thing.

“Hello?” my mom answered in a singsong tone.

“Hey, Mom. Do you have a minute?”

“Of course.” Her voice became serious. “What’s wrong? What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing iswrong,per se.” I started pacing the living room as I spoke. “But there’s been some changes.”

“Since earlier this week? You’re not changing your dress for Aaliyah’s party, are you? I was looking forward to seeing you in that.”

“No, it’s not that. I actually just picked it up from Charlotte’s shop.”

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