Page 169 of Plus Size Player

Russ: I know. Come to my office.

I was talking about the models, but I had no idea who he was talking about. I went to his office, and I lifted my fist to knock when I heard a faint voice.

“But you’re the CEO,” she stated, sounding far away. “It doesn’t matter that the paperwork is signed, itlooksinappropriate. And while legal may be satisfied with this solution, that paper only covers us legally. It doesn’t do anything for the impact it’ll have on the other models, the company, the brand, and the court of public opinion. You’re the CEO, Mr. Long. This isyourcompany and since Nina is getting paid byyour company,it’s…” She paused. “This is a risk.”

“A risk I’m willing to take,” he replied, causing my stomach to flip.

Hearing his words, knowing how much he was risking, I instantly felt a pang in my chest. As much as I loved knowing hewould risk it all for me, I did not want him to. He’d worked too hard and had come too far and had so much on the line with the exponential growth RLF was experiencing. I loved him too much to let him risk his company for us. I also loved him too much to let him go.

I felt so conflicted.

I glanced down at the paperwork in my bag and noticed my hand was shaking. When I heard Russ’s voice again, I closed my eyes and took a trembling breath.

“I wanted to have this conversation with you before I announced it at the meeting. If you have questions or concerns, we can talk about it. But this is happening and because I value you as part of my team, I want to give you this courtesy. But that’s all this is—a courtesy and a conversation. This is not me asking you for permission.”

His voice was loud, passionate, and steady. But it sounded as though he was walking from one side of his office to the other. Since I couldn’t hear anyone speaking anymore, I assumed he was conducting the call on speakerphone.

Looking around, I lightly rapped at the door three times, hoping whoever was on the phone didn’t hear. When it swung open, I was surprised to see Remedy on the other side.

“Perfect timing,” she said sarcastically, opening the door wider. “Come on in. We were actually just talking about you.”

I tentatively entered the room, unsure of what I would find. Sweeping my eyes around the space, I felt the pit in my stomach grow with each face.

Sasha Beaman from Human Resources, Lori Smith, Angelica, and three people I’d seen before but didn’t know were already in Russ’s office. Everyone’s expression was serious. Russ was standing behind his desk, arms folded. All eyes were on me.

“I was coming by to drop off some paperwork,” I said, keeping my eyes on Russ. I felt the heat creeping over my cheeks, but I ignored it. “I can come back or wait until after the meeting if necessary.”

“No, come here,” Russ responded, beckoning to me. “Bring me the papers.”

I pulled them out of the bag as I made my way across the room. No one said a word as I walked around his desk and handed them over. Before I could turn and leave, Russ grabbed my wrist.

I looked up at him and he smiled. His fingers slipped across my palm and then intertwined with mine.

“As I was saying,” he began, breaking eye contact with me and casting it around the room. “Beyond the fact that this is my choice, my relationship, and my company, I had my lawyer draw up paperwork to support the already established code of conduct and code of ethics in which this company was founded.”

His firm, matter-of-fact tone that he reserved for work was commanding and extremely sexy. I had to look away from him so they didn’t see the lovestruck look on my face. Shifting my gaze, I immediately locked eyes with Remedy.

Shit.

“And you’ve sent these documents to our lawyers here?” the man in the black suit asked. “There’s no conflict?”

Russ looked at each of them as he spoke. “There’s no conflict. Since we both signed these forms, there’s no liability, there’s nothing that shines a negative light on RLF.”

“I just don’t understand how this happened,” Lori marveled.

“Nina and I met more than three months ago,” Russ replied, running his thumb along the side of my hand. “I didn’t tell her what I did for work. She didn’t tell me what she did for work. We were just as surprised as you are.”

“I get it,” Remedy said calmly. “And I want nothing more than to see you happy. But is this the time for this?” She gestured between us. “We just made some of the biggest moves for RLF this weekend. We’ve invested so much money and we have to ride this momentum. And that means we have to avoid any scandals. We’re on the heels of something great and as good as you two look together, this situation doesn’t look good for RLF.”

“Not to mention how it could appear to other employees,” Sasha added. “Specifically, to the other models. It could appear as though she is getting preferential treatment.”

He nodded in agreement. “Yes, and I’ve come up with a solution that would attempt to mitigate that.” He lifted his shoulders. “But I’m going to keep it real with you—all of you. Nina and I had already started dating before I knew Remedy offered her a position. I only approved her for hire after it was already set in motion by Lori and Sasha. Our relationship was not a factor in that decision. The six of you nominated Nina to walk in the show—starting with Angelica. I was not a factor in that decision. I only approved it after it was voted on. The Bowen contract that we secured meant we had to bring on another model and actually”—he squeezed my hand—“reduce in-store opportunities for Nina while also propping up Gabriella as the RLF representation for Bowen. I was not a factor in that decision. But when that was the necessary way forward to secure our positioning with Bowen, I agreed to it. Our relationship doesn’t affect me doing my job and it doesn’t affect Nina doing hers.”

Oop! This is what I should’ve said to Jonah!

They were silent. I bit my lip to keep from smiling because of the looks on their faces.

Everything he said was true. Every opportunity I had was instigated by someone else in RLF as a result of my hard work. I earned everything that had come to me over the last month. No one, especially no one in that room, could make a credible claim that my relationship with Russ benefited me unfairly.

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