Page 54 of Plus Size Player

“But when that woman said I was your boyfriend, you didn’t say no.”

“I didn’t say yes,” I reminded him.

As the song faded into something different, I gently tugged him off the dance floor.

I knew I didn’t want to be in a relationship with him and I had no intention of hurting him—or any other man. There was no way one man would be able to give me all that I needed to be happy and satisfied in a relationship. So whenever men got too caught up, I knew it was time for our situationship to come to an end. And when I first saw the signs of this with Dru, it was the exact reason I decided not to sleep with him. I saw it coming, but I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

I slowed to a stop when we were near the exit. “You and I don’t want the same thing and I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.”

“So what are you saying?” He shifted his eyes to the door.

I put my hand on his arm and squeezed compassionately. “I’m saying we should probably call it a night. We can have a longer discussion about this next week, but for now… let’s say good night.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You… you want me to leave?”

I nodded. “I have to give my card and meet a couple more people and then I’m leaving, too.”

“I have flowers in the car for you,” he told me quietly. He pulled me in for a hug. “I would’ve given you the world, Nina.”

I let out a soft breath, sadness pulling at my heartstrings. “You’re so sweet, Dru. A gentleman and a romantic,” I whispered, holding him tight. “This is why we have to end things. You’re ready for so much more than what I am ready to give. But the woman for you is going to be able to commit one hundred percent of her time andenergy to you and only you—like you deserve.” I pulled out of the hug and stared him in the eyes. “You deserve everything you want.”

“I want you.”

I shook my head. “I’m not her. But she is out there.”

He let out a long breath. “Okay.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Can I kiss you goodbye?”

“Yes,” I murmured as his lips brushed against mine.

There was so much emotion in the way he grabbed and kissed me. After a few seconds, I ended the kiss and squeezed his hands.

“Thank you,” I told him.

“No, thank you,” he uttered before taking a step back. “Goodbye, Nina.”

I wiggled my fingers. “Bye.”

As soon as he disappeared out of the door, I turned on my heel and made a beeline to the bathroom.

I hope my lipstick isn’t smudged.

I also needed to make sure I didn’t look a sweaty mess after getting it on on the dance floor. I needed a mirror before the big introduction with the other models. And I needed a mirror fast.

The line for the women’s restroom was ridiculously long. I waited for a few seconds before I knew I needed to find another. I really just needed a mirror.

I’d overheard a woman saying there was another bathroom on the other side of the building, so I headed that way. The crowd thinned as I got farther away from the DJ and the main event. But as soon as I turned the corner where the restrooms were located, I saw a bit of a crowd had gathered.

They must’ve heard about the other bathroom, too,I griped silently.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man climbing a stairwell. The signage was small, but I was pretty sure I saw a bathroom emblem on the second-floor wall. Quickly changing directions, I scurried across the old train station toward the back wall. I grabbed the handrail and then made my way up the steps. When I reached the top landing, I smiled at the arrows directing me to the bathroom.

“Finally,” I muttered, happy to get some privacy to fix my face.

I was just about to enter the women’s room when the men’s room door swung open, catching my attention.

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