“What?”
“You know that real sexy pinstripe two-piece pants set you made me a couple of months back? And that cute purple bodycon, ruffled, off-the-shoulder joint with the crisscross straps in the back and the big giant bow?”
Nourah was already nodding slowly, like she knew where I was going.
“Well, I asked permission to wear your designs. I showed Ozy’s manager the outfits annnd…he said they were nice, so it’s a go. One of those outfits will be making its debut in the blogs, and I’m super excited for your business to really, really take off. You have done such an amazing job at making a name for yourself, but this is it, bitch. This is the moment we have been waiting for. So, cheers to both of us.”
Her eyes started to tear up on me, and I ain’t even mean to do that this early.
“Thank you Noree like…for real,” she said.
“Sis, you know I will always be there for you no matter what. And I love how you always show up for me.” I wiped underneath my eye with my knuckle before my lashes had a chance to get messed up. “My nerves are really bad. I’m very nervous. But this is gonna be an amazing day. I can feel it.”
“It sure will be,” she said, and we clinked our glasses.
I took a couple of sips and then looked down at my watch. “Okay, for real. I have to go.”
“Go ahead. Grab your stuff.”
“You know where everything is. Make yourself at home.” I said.
“Girl, you already know I am. I’m ’bout to go get in your bed and take a quick catnap. You already know I have to catch you on the radio so I can post about it on my Instagram and let everybody know my big sis is a superstar.”
We hugged, and I went into the room and kissed Oaklynn on her cheek. Then I headed out.
The black truck was already waiting at the curb. I hopped inside, and Ozy was sitting there, fresh, smelling good, and looking like he got more sleep than I did.
“Good morning,” I said.
He gave me a small smile. “Good morning.”
Derez turned around in his seat to look at me.
“You ready for your life to change?”
“I guess so.” I put my seat belt on and set my tote down by my feet, then wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.
“You remember all the answers to the questions, right?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
He laughed. “Okay. You’ll be fine. I expect the song to do well. It’ll get its exclusive radio premiere this morning, and we’ll officially drop it on all platforms this weekend. Trust me, it’s going to do numbers.”
My stomach bubbled up on me a little, and I played it off by looking out the window.
By the time we were sitting in those chairs at the station, I felt like I was about to pee on myself. The cameras were rolling, and lights were flashing. Paparazzi snapped a few pictures of us out front, and we’d already taken pictures with the hosts for the episode’s promo.
My leg was shaking so badly underneath the table, and Ozy reached over and touched my hand.
“You good, love?”
“No. I feel like my heart is about to fall onto the fucking ground.”
He laughed. “Just follow my lead.”
“Okay.”
The hosts were still talking among themselves, going over something on a tablet, so he leaned in.