Page 19 of Plus Size Player

Licking my lips, I nodded. “You told me you started out screen printing before you joined the corporate world, and that you liked my shirt.”

“Do you remember what happened next?”

“You asked me if I was a girl boss, so I asked you if you were a boy boss.” I smiled at the memory. “Yeah, I remember.”

“In my defense, you were standing next to the sign that saidgirl boss,so I put two and two together.”

“You put two and two together and got five, because if you don’t like being called a boy boss, why would I want to be called a girl boss?”

Smirking, he continued, “And then I asked you if I could take you out as an apology, and you told me it depended on what I had in mind.”

“I was leaning toward yes because of your outfit. I liked your style,” I confessed. “But inviting me to the Soul Festival was a unique choice. I liked that it was something different.”

“I was already going by myself to get away from everything, and something about you made me want to get away with you. I watched the way you were with everyone you crossed paths with, and it made me want to know you. I was surprised when you said you were single.”

“I wasn’t sure if I believed you when you said you were.”

He laughed. “Because you don’t trust shit.”

“You’re not wrong! But look at us now. Two months later.”

“Two months later, and you’re the only person I want to spend my free time with.” His stare lingered on me as he reminisced. “I’m glad you were down for that first date.”

“Something about you always makes me ready to be down.”

“You’re a good time.” He brought his glass to his lips and paused before taking a sip. “You make everything better.”

My lips parted in a smile. “Likewise.”

Grinning, he shook his head. “When was the last time you had a man?”

“I had a boyfriend in high school.” I lifted my shoulders and scrunched my nose. “But as an adult, I just date. It’s easier for everyone.”

“What does that mean?”

I smiled. “My parents have this completely complementary relationship, and that’s always been the standard for me. A perfect fit. But perfection is rare. It’s a burden to put on someone who isn’t. It’s a burden to search for it. And since I don’t want to burden anyone or myself, I just enjoy life and date.”

A waiter cleared our plates away and informed us that our waitress would be there shortly.

“That was delicious,” I commented. “I meant to take a picture of it when it came, but I forgot. I’ll snap a photo of dessert.”

“I like that you take a photo of everything we do.”

“I take a photo to commemorate everything I do,” I clarified. “I like to live in the moment, but I like to stop and take a picture ofthe highlights so I can have that tangible physical evidence to hold on to. I don’t ever want to forget anything.”

“Oh, I thought I was special and that’s why you wanted a picture.”

“No.”

He laughed. “Ouch.”

“I’m not saying you’re not special. You are.” The minute the words left my mouth, my heart stammered. Ignoring the reaction, I continued, “I’m just letting you know that I take pictures all the time.”

“Well, you’ve influenced me to do the same.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ve gotten a picture from every one of our dates. But this might be my new favorite picture of you,” Russ told me as he showed me a photo on his phone.

I leaned over my empty plate to get a better look. It was of my profile and the orange, pink, and purple hues of the sunset behind me. “Oh, I like that! Will you send that to me?”

“Yeah.” He clicked a few buttons. “Done.”

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