Page 38 of Plus Size Player

“There is nothing to be worried about. We just need to go down there and be ourselves,” Sherita assured them.

Toni jostled her bracelets even louder. “I mean, you’re right, but I don’t understand how you’re so calm.” She looked up at me. “You look calm. Are you not nervous either?”

I glanced at myself in the plum-colored dress that I got from Charlotte’s boutique. The way it showed off my body while completely covering it was elegantly sexy. Depending on the accessories, I could wear the dress anywhere. I felt confident in it. It was great for networking with colleagues and brands or pulling some fine-ass man at the bar.

“Look at us,” I told them, rallying the troops. “What do we have to be nervous about? We have built our platforms from the ground up using our personalities, our sense of style, and our looks. We have what it takes to be successful in this industry, and being here proves that. We are all doing the damn thing, and we are all bad.” I lowered my voice and took a step closer to them. “I’m going to give you some real talk. Whether we walk away with meetings or not, that doesn’t take away what we’ve already done and how far we’ve already come. So, we’ll go out here and we’ll meet some people, collect some cards, make some connections, and we’ll have a good-ass time doing it.” I pointed around the group. “Don’t forget that they have to sell us on them, too. It’s a two-way street.”

Sherita put her hands on her hips. “Who knew Nina was a motivational speaker?”

“I knew it,” Gabby confirmed with a nod.

“Well, damn, you’re right,” Toni pronounced.

“Let’s go down there and have a good time,” I said.

“You know who I want to talk to tonight?” Gabby wondered as we walked toward the elevator.

“That dry-ass speaker you were salivating over when he was boring the rest of us to death,” Sherita answered.

“Oop!” I laughed.

“Shut up! I was going to say Bowen,” Gabby giggled. “But the speaker was cute! Y’all didn’t think he was cute?”

We laughed the entire way to the cocktail party. It was nothing but fun and games with my internet friends. They weren’t extremely deep friendships, because we only talked about fashion and work, but they were meaningful. And I was reflecting on that when I was stopped by a woman with a short bob and very sharp features.

“Excuse me,” the woman said, interrupting the conversation she was having with Skylar, Daisy, and Jess. “Would you happen to be Nina Ford?”

The three of them whipped their heads around in unison. They seemed confused that the woman had interrupted them to stop me.

“Yes…” I responded slowly.

She stepped toward me, boxing out the other women. “I’m Lori with RL Fashions, and I have an opportunity for you, if you’re interested in knowing more.”

Recalling my earlier encounter with Remedy Rose from RL Fashions, I was definitely intrigued. “I’d love to hear more!”

“Great. Do you have a card?” she requested as she pulled out her own.

I opened the bag I’d gotten from my mom and pulled out one of my business cards. “Yes,” I said, handing it to her.

“Remedy was very impressed with you,” she said before slipping my card into her clutch. “We’ll be in touch.”

She turned to the other ladies and smiled. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” she told them before walking away.

I’d only taken a step when Sky threw out a question. “You know the people at RL Fashions?”

I shook my head. “I just met them today.”

She and the other two gave me strained smiles.

“Oh, okay,” Sky replied finally. “I just… I was confused becauseI’d been talking to Lori for months and then you stroll by and—boom—an offer.” She forced a smile even though I could see sadness in her eyes. “Congratulations, Nina. Really.”

“Thank you. I don’t know the offer yet, so who knows what this will be, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”

Again, strained smiles.

“Okay, I need to mingle.” I took a step back and then turned on my heel.

It wasn’t just an excuse. I really did want to mingle.

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