Page 157 of Plus Size Player

“Should I contact the store to let them know?” I wondered, confused as to why I was just hearing about the changes.

“No. Lori has contacted them, and Gabriella will be in New York to take over your stores,” Remedy informed me. “You just focus on creating RLF content and getting ready for the show. You will have eyes on you.”

“Oh… okay.”

“Angelica is waiting for you all to pick up your clothes for the weekend. See you in New York.”

Without waiting for us to respond, Remedy turned on her heel and left the room. Lori gave us a small smile and asked if we had any questions. I rose to my feet and left the room with everyone else.

What does she mean I’ll have eyes on me? Because I’m on the runway?

“Do you think they are going to compare you and the Gabriella chick and make a decision on who they are going to keep this weekend?” Jacqueline asked.

“What is wrong with you?” Taisha asked her.

“What?” Jacqueline stamped her foot. “I’m just trying to understand what’s going on!”

I was lost in my thoughts and barely participated in the conversation. Between Jacqueline’s conspiracy theories and finding out last minute that my schedule had changed, I was thrown off. It wasn’t until I was in the elevator, holding clothes I was expected to wear over the weekend to my chest, that I realized my job might actually be at stake.

What if the runway isn’t an opportunity but an audition?

The thought haunted me and there was no one I could talk to about it. I couldn’t talk to my man because it was his company, and I didn’t want to create strife between us. If it was the best business decision to go with Gabby, I would have to accept that from the CEO, but at the same time, I would feel a way if my man made that decision. I wouldn’t want him to do anything that would negatively impact his business, but I would also want him to fight for me. It was a complicated situation and I wouldn’t even want to put that in the air for him to deal with.

Especially with so much on his plate right now.

I couldn’t talk to my family and friends about it because they were going to say the same thing I’d been telling myself: whatever is meant for me is for me. And I believed that wholeheartedly. There was literally nothing I could do but my best so that was the plan. But I couldn’t help how bad I wanted it.

The opportunity to walk in a runway show was huge. Being one of the faces of the RLF brand was also huge. But the other factor that wasn’t explicitly spelled out in the contract but was just as big of an opportunity was the access. The rooms that I’d be invited into and the people I’d be meeting expanded with each trip, each event, and each photo op. The ability to translate my relatability from social media to real life would increase my capital. It wasn’t just about money. It was about further legitimizing my career and normalizing beauty and fashion for all sizes.

I knew what I brought to the table, so it wasn’t a me versus Gabby situation, as Jacqueline kept bringing up. It was me versus me. Ineeded to do my best. I needed to win everyone over. I needed to keep my job.

So on Thursday night, after checking into a gorgeous New York boutique hotel and getting changed for the RLF model dinner, I had a renewed sense of purpose.

“I didn’t realize we were dressing up,” Matias commented when he saw me.

“Damn, Nina,” Jonah added.

I did a little pose in my orange halter dress, making sure they didn’t miss my blue stiletto heels and matching clutch.

“It’s a work trip so I came to work,” I told them as I walked with them to the restaurant next door.

As soon as we walked through the door, Jacqueline and Taisha flagged us down.

“We have a reservation under Lori Smith,” Jonah told the maître d’, pointing beyond him. He nodded and had us follow him to the table. We were just about to take our seats when I noticed there was a sixth chair. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone with a huge Afro coming straight toward me.

“Nina!”

“Gabby!”

We exclaimed at the same time, embracing each other.

“I didn’t realize you were going to be here,” I told her, completely surprised to see her.

“I got in a couple hours ago,” Gabby informed me with a smile. “I told Lori I wanted to surprise you!”

“Well, you absolutely did.” I turned to the others. “Let me introduce you to the RLF models. This is Taisha, Jacqueline, Jonah, and Matias.”

She shook each of their hands as I said their names. When she stepped back, I put my arm around her.

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