Page 142 of Plus Size Player

I took a step back. My heart was pounding, and I needed to create space between us anyway.

We both saw Remedy’s name flashing across the screen.

“Take it,” I told him, retreating until my back hit the wall. “It’s probably important.”

He nodded firmly before answering the call. “Remedy?”

“Russ! Finally! I’ve been trying to get in touch with you all weekend!” His sister yelled so loudly I could hear her from a few feet away.

His handsome face twisted with a frown. “What’s going on? Everything good with Mom and Dad?”

“Yes! Of course, they’re okay. Did you check your email?”

He pointed to the couch to let me know where he was headed. “Not since I left the office on Friday.”

“What are you doing? Where have you been?”

He exhaled loudly. “I had plans, and I couldn’t make it. What’s up?”

She said something I couldn’t quite hear but it made Russ’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s—shit, Rem, that’s a good look! Hell yeah!” He stopped in his tracks. “Wait, wait, wait, wait. With who?” He glanced over at me momentarily. “That’s… that’s not…” He took a deep breath and continued into the living room. “It’s a good opportunity. I’m not saying that at all. I’m just saying… Remedy, I hear you, but we already have someone to fill that role.” He paused, swiping his hand down his face. “When did I authorize Lori to do that?” he asked. After receiving an answer, he took a seat. “When didyouauthorize Lori to do that?”

I didn’t want to seem like I was listening, so I grabbed my bags. Peeking at him out of the corner of my eye, I saw the scowl on his face. He clearly wasn’t pleased with whatever information he was getting.

I took my bags into my room, dropped them off, and quickly made my way back down the hall.

“—shouldn’t have offered because we don’t have the budget for that. No. I don’t care how viral it’s gone. We’re not making a change,” he said in a low tone. “That’s final.” His eyes flicked up to me and then back down to the floor. “Let me catch up with the emails and I’ll give you a call back.”

He disconnected the call and immediately his thumb moved swiftly over the screen. The serious expression on his face was a complete shift from his mood prior to the phone call. And even though it wasn’t my business, nerves twisted my stomach and curiosity tugged at my mind.

I tentatively made my way toward him.

He didn’t look up. With his chiseled jaw set and his lips forming a hard line, I immediately knew something was wrong.

“Everything okay?” I inquired softly as I sat next to him.

Seconds ticked by and he didn’t say anything. He just stared at his phone. Finally, he tossed the device on the other side of the couch and scrubbed his face with his hands.

“I’d been in talks to get RLF in the Bowen shops and they wanted to see more of what we had,” he started.

I can’t believe I missed my opportunity to impress Bowen,I thought with slight dismay. I had an incredible night so I didn’t regret it, but I was definitely shocked to hear the news.

“And after Saturday, they want to partner with us,” he continued. “RLF will have a limited run this fall and a full run in spring.”

I gasped. “Russ! That’s amazing!”

Letting out a deep breath, he shifted his body to face me. “Remedy found out that they were going to be at the event on Saturday and since you weren’t going to be there, she had Lori reach out to another model to be our plus size representation.” He cleared his throat. “Bowen loved the dress… and the model. And now, they are ready to move forward with partnering with us.”

I stared at him and the pained expression on his face. “This is a good thing, right?”

“It is.” He nodded and forced a smile. “It is.”

“What are you not telling me?”

“Bowen wants the partnership to include the other model.”

“Oh! Okay. Well, I mean, there’s room for all of us.” When he didn’t say anything, my heart sank. I hesitated momentarily. “Unless that means I’m out?”

“You’re not out,” he said emphatically. “But…” He frowned. “They want to work with the model they met.”

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