Page 159 of Plus Size Player

Russ: I’m heading down now.

Nina: Good.

Knowing he was on the way, I wrapped myself in my silk robe and slid my feet into the cozy slippers. When there was a knock at the door, I put my phone on the charger and then merrily skipped across the room. I looked out of the peephole and my smile dropped.

What the hell?

I opened the door slightly, shielding my robe-covered body. “Hey, Gabby. What’s going on?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was hoping to catch you before you got in bed.”She looked down the hall, toward the elevator, and then back at me. “Can I come in?”

“I’m not dressed. Can we talk in the morning?”

There was a small flicker of sadness in her eyes as she nodded. “Okay, I’ll make it quick. I’m not trying to take anything from you. I don’t know what Jacqueline meant by calling me your replacement, but I was under the impression that we were sharing the load. I want this opportunity, but I also want to make sure we’re good, too.”

“Oh, Gabby, we’re good. It was…” The elevator dinged, snatching my attention before I could continue speaking.

My heart thumped in my chest.

The hint of impropriety between Russ and one of his employees could result in major blowback at one of the biggest moments of his career. The mere rumor of me in a relationship with Russ would undermine how I got the opportunity to walk in the show to begin with.

I swallowed hard. “There was some confusion in the way it was announced, and then everyone else started fearing for their job security. That’s all. Me and you are good. But we can talk tomorrow,” I finished in a rush.

She turned her head toward the elevator and waved. “Hey, Jonah!” She turned to me and smiled. “He’s so cute,” she whispered.

“What’s up, Gabriella,” Jonah replied. “Aight, Mr. Long, thanks again.”

A few seconds later, the elevator doors shut, and heavy footsteps were coming closer. I knew in my heart that it was Jonah. There was no way Russ was going to attempt to come to my room with two RLF spokesmodels in the hallway. So, I wasn’t surprised when Jonah appeared in my view.

“Boss Man is pretty cool,” he commented as he stopped at my door. He looked between us. “What’s going on here?”

“Wait,thatwas Russell Long, the CEO?” Gabby questioned. “I’ve never met him before.”

“You’ll get a chance to meet him on Monday after the runway show,” Jonah stated. “What are y’all doing?” He turned to me. “Why are you peeking out the door?”

“It’s my fault,” Gabby explained. “I just wanted to check on Nina, but she’s ready for bed.”

“You have an eight o’clock call time, don’t you?” Jonah asked me.

“Yeah, so I’m going to say good night,” I told them before closing the door.

When I ran across the room to my phone, I had a missed call and two text messages from Russ.

Russ: Can’t get off the elevator.

Russ: Too risky. Call me.

I didn’t waste time texting him back and dialed him immediately.

“That shit was crazy,” he said as soon as he answered.

“I know,” I groaned.

“I came out my room and Remedy was at the elevator, too. So, I rode down with her, pretended I forgot my wallet, so I needed to go back up. Then Jonah’s ass got in before the door could close and he rode up with me. I had to just abort the mission and come back to the room—especially when I saw there was someone else in the hallway.”

“That was Gabby. I thought it was you when she knocked. A couple minutes later, the elevator opened, and it was you and Jonah. I don’t know the last time I was that nervous.”

“I was so ready to see you tonight that I wasn’t even thinking straight. When I ran into Remedy, that should’ve been a sign. But I brushed it off because I needed to see you. And then Jonah got in the elevator, and I just knew I was about to be caught.” He let out a short, dry laugh. “There’s gotta be a better way for me to link up with my girl.”

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