Page 7 of Plus Size Player

“Interesting…” she responded suspiciously. “When are you seeing him again?”

“Tomorrow.”

“And tonight you’re going out with who?”

“The Smart One. We’re going to a lecture.”

She giggled. “You don’t even talk about him with the same energy. Does The Smart One know he can’t compete with the others?”

Her teasing tone made me laugh along with her.

“Stop it! He’s doing just fine!”

She exhaled loudly. “I know what I want. But sometimes I talk to you and I’m like, Nina has this shit on lock.”

“And do!”

“I have to get it together.”

“Then join me in these streets!”

She laughed. “I’m looking for the real thing. I’m not going to find it looking in the streets.”

“News flash, Liyah… if you’re on a dating app, you’re already looking in the streets.”

“Oh my God, you’re right,” she groaned.

“You spent months self-reflecting and abstaining and that’s… a choice. But you did it, and now you know you’re ready for a relationship. Congratulations! But the dating part is where you figure all your shit out with an actual person. So have fun with it!”

“You make it sound so easy. This shit is effortless for you,” she sighed. “Give me some advice to carry me through my search. Please.”

“If out of nowhere a man explicitly says he’s not a player, it’s because he’s the coach.” As she cackled on the other end of the line, I continued. “Don’t trust anything that muthafucka says.”

“Nina!” she screamed. “I’m so weak!”

“No, but seriously, enjoy yourself. I just pulled up to our alma mater. I’ll let you know how tonight is.”

We said our goodbyes as I searched for a parking spot. The lecture was being held at Hamilton University. And since I’d driven as fast as legally possible to make up for the lost time, and because every light was green, I was only five minutes late.

Hopping out of my car, I approached the building quickly. A big man with long locs in a ponytail almost collided with me because he was staring at his phone.

“Oh, sorry about that, shawty,” he apologized, holding his hand up.

“No problem,” I told him, continuing at a fast pace. “But watch yourself.”

“My bad.”

We were heading in the same direction, but he was damn near running. I slowed down because I saw my date.

Tall, slim, and undeniably handsome, Tyrell slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he waited for me to arrive. When he saw me, a smile crept across his face. His dark skin, high cheekbones, and light brown eyes were so distinguishingly beautiful. He would’ve stood out anywhere.

He checked his watch and then pulled me into a hug. “I thought you were standing me up.”

He always seemed so nervous when we’d get together. He’d made it to the roster a few months ago. But because of life and work, it was only our third date. And even though we’d enjoyed each of the dates, he still seemed so shocked that I was interested.

Rolling my eyes before pulling out of the hug, I looked up at him. “Hello to you, too.”

“Forgive me. You look beautiful.”

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