Page 153 of Plus Size Player

I smiled, feeling his encouragement. “I know you’ll be busy all day but talk to you tonight?”

“Let me know how things are going. And let me know when you’re done.”

“I don’t want to interrupt if your meeting is running—”

“I’ll always make time for you,” he interrupted. “Hit me up when you’re free. I want to know how it’s going.”

My belly fluttered. “Okay.”

We said our goodbyes and I put my hand to my chest and exhaled. The warmth of his words eased through my body and reminded me of how much affection I had for him.

I love that man.

I didn’t even have a chance to shake off the thought because the driver pulled to an abrupt stop. I looked around and realized I was at the first store.

“Thank you,” I told the driver as I stepped out of the car.

With my bag in one hand and my phone in the other, I double-checked the itinerary to make sure I was in the right place.

“Here goes,” I breathed as I plastered a bright smile on my face and walked through the double doors.

Over the next forty-eight hours, I visited six different stores. I interacted with the staff, styled customers, created social media content, and became a live mannequin. It went by fast and even though it was fun, I was looking forward to getting back home and seeing Russ.

After grabbing my luggage, I waved to the other models as I headed toward the door. I’d only made it two steps before I realized they were on my heels.

“Anyone heading uptown and want to share a car?” Jacqueline asked.

“I’m parked in the deck,” Jonah told her. “I can give you a ride if you want.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet. “Yes, please! Thank you!”

He pointed at the rest of us. “Anyone else need a ride?”

Matias nodded. “Yeah, man. Good looking out.”

“I have someone coming, but thank you,” I told him, stopping just before the exit. I rolled my luggage to the right and stood in front of the large window to get out of the way. The afternoon sun was shining bright in the sky and the heat was evident as soon as the sliding door opened.

“Me too,” Taisha answered, slowing to stand next to me.

After we said goodbye to the three of them, she turned to look at me. “You know Jonah is in love with you, right?”

I shook my head. “He isn’t. He’s just a flirt.”

She gave me a knowing look before she pulled out her phone. “He likes you. And if anything changes with you and your boyfriend, keep him in mind.”

I let out a confused laugh. “Are you supposed to be his wing woman or something?”

“No. I just know how hard it is to be in a relationship and do this job unless you’re with someone who understands the business.”

“I can imagine. But I’m good.”

She pulled her sunglasses out of her bag and slid them onto her face. “I loved my ex and I wanted to make it work. But he didn’tunderstand the nature of the job. He would get jealous at every message, every comment, every dumbass emoji under my pictures. Then he became suspicious of everything I did, everyone I hung out with… He broke up with me because he accused me of cheating on him with this guy I did a photoshoot with.” She pulled out her phone and showed me the photo in question and it was a sexy yet professional shot. “So now, I only date models, actors, musicians, professional athletes.” She twisted her lips. “But I really did love that accountant.”

“The man for you is going to love everything about you.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “Including your job and your passions.”

She smiled. “Is yours in the limelight?”

“He’s very supportive of what I do,” I answered, shifting my gaze to the cars pulling up on the other side of the window. “Supportive, encouraging, respectful.” Realizing I was gushing, I put on my sunglasses and stopped talking.

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