Page 146 of Plus Size Player

My eyes unexpectedly stung with tears. “Mom.”

“And not to mention, it has been a treat to see you falling for this man all summer.”

She ruined the moment.

Stifling a laugh, I groaned, “Mom.”

“I knew it would happen. You just had to meet the right one. When I met your father…”

We talked for about twenty more minutes before we said goodbye.

My conversation with my mother was the reminder that I needed. I couldn’t control what RLF did or who Bowen wanted to work with. The only thing I could control was what I would do with the opportunity in front of me. If it worked out with RLF, my career would reach new heights. If it worked out with Russ, he would forever have my heart.

I put my hand to my chest and exhaled.

It was unnerving, but the reward was worth the risk.

I got up to use the restroom, and as soon as I sat on the toilet, everything made sense.

“I fucking knew it,” I muttered to myself as I realized my period had started.

All weekend I’d been feeling emotional. I had been in my feelings and off-kilter. The highs of rekindling with Russ and getting my back blown out every day for the last four days had me on cloud nine. But the lows of having to hide our relationship, having to put everything at risk, and having no clear way forward got to me. And then finding out not only did I miss the chance to impress Bowen but RLF also planned to cut my workload in half sent me to the pits of despair.

I got myself together, washed my hands, and returned to the living room. With a shake of my head, I grabbed my phone. Two missed text messages flashed across the screen.

Russ: I can’t stop thinking about what you said about how nobody is bossier than an Aries.

Jazmyn: In the car and can’t talk, but I can text. Is everything okay?

I checked the time and decided to text Jazz first to clarify some things. I was in a completely different frame of mind from when I texted her an hour ago.

Nina: False alarm! My period came a couple days early so disregard what I said about the eggs and the basket. I was having a moment.

Jazz: You said all your eggs were in one basket ten times last night. I was starting to think you had a literal basket of eggs you said it so much.

I cackled as I read her message.

Jazz: I never thought I’d see the day that Nina Ford would be in love and ready to settle down.

Nina: I know you’re not talking! You said you were going to use this summer to fall on some dick and instead, you decided to fall in love.

Jazz: I have no idea what you’re talking about. And unfortunately, I have to go.

Nina: You were smiling at that man so hard I could see your molars! And you only smile like that at someone who is dicking you down. Is this the same man you were talking about a few weeks ago?

Jazz: GOODBYE NINA!

I snickered to myself.

Jazz might’ve been in denial about her feelings, but it was evident. I wasn’t going to tease her too much because I knew broaching a new relationship was a big step for her. But she kept calling him her friend, and there was nothing friendly about their chemistry. They were really into each other, and I was happy to see Jazmyn happy—especially after the last couple years she’d had.

Still amused with myself, I picked up the phone to call Russ instead of texting him back.

“Hello?” He answered on the first ring and my lips pulled upward immediately.

“Hey,” I greeted him. “Why are you randomly thinking about astrology?”

“Remedy walked her ass in my office trying to tell me what we’re going to do. I had to remind her that this is my shit.”

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