Page 12

Mimi frowns. “You didn’t read my email from last night?”

No. I was watching Justice League with Bron and the boys. I saw the email come in, but I was in a throuple with Ray Fisher, Jason Mamoa, and Henry Cavill. No way I was going to check that. “Uh. No. I’m sorry I was taking care of some family business.”

“That explains why you look so surprised to see everyone.” She waves around the room. “Luxxy, we are starting a new lifestyle magazine.”

I struggle with what to say, because this could be my way out. I am renovating my house and can go into business for myself. “That’s…great?”

“It’s more than great. It’s wonderful. It’s the most amazing thing that could’ve happened to all of us. Your influencer status is going to shoot out of the stratosphere.”

“My influencer status?”

“You’re going to be the star.”

Where is this coming from? The last time I brought this up, they didn’t entertain the idea.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Bougie Girl is going to be more than a blogger. She will bigger than a vlogger. You are going to be a brand. Think of Magnolia by Joanna Gaines, but all things style. You can have more collaborations. We’re thinking of your channel as more mainstream, treating it like a real TV channel with dedicated hours and shows.”

I open my mouth but close it. I need to ask the right questions. This is something I’ve been thinking about. Lauren and I talked about this. She said I was already a brand but needed to own it.

“Why now?”

“It’s not coming out of nowhere. I’ve thought of how we can use you more. Your column is our most popular one. You get millions of views on your YouTube videos. We’ve been doing research, and when you feature a product, sales shoot up. Not to mention that now you’ve gone past New York. That piece on Autumn Lush garnered so much attention and praise. Of course, the Lash N’ Gloss nod makes it even more prestigious. I’m still waiting for you to do an unboxing of the huge box you got from Amelia Solis.”

Ah. They’re trying to ride my coattails. They want to use me and my connections.

“Thank you.” I’m struggling with what to say.

“We can do more collaborations and celebrity interviews, like a peek behind the curtains, and feature some of their charity work. We will build you a studio here, and you can shoot more videos weekly.”

My pulse quickens. A brand. They’re building a brand around me. It’s everything I’ve been wanting. I’ve dreamed of taking people on a journey, like Anthony Bourdain, letting them experience the world through my senses and inspiring them to go taste the world for themselves.

I’ve wanted to expand, and this is my chance.

But this has to be on my terms. I don’t like that they sprang this on me without warning. They should have told me and my agent. Ruthy should have been invited. I also need to make sure they know I’m not staying in New York.

“This is not going to be an hour meeting, and I had other plans. Can you give me five minutes to make arrangements and call my agent?”

The smiles freeze in place as I step out of the room.

First, I call my agent. “Ruthy. I need you to drop everything and come meet me at Big Apple. They’re trying to make me into a brand and center a digital magazine around me.”

“Why was I not invited in the first place? You know what, I’ll find out for myself. On my way,” Ruthy says.

Next, I call my brother. “Hey, Cam, I’m stuck in my meeting. They want to turn me into a brand.”

He doesn’t miss a beat. “Don’t talk to them without your agent, and don’t sign anything without a lawyer. I’m sending you one of mine.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary yet. I don’t think we are signing anything today.”

“I’ll call them as soon as we hang up and tell them to be on standby. Make sure you send them any paperwork right away.”

Always the big bro. “Will do. Thanks. Actually, I called because I need a favor. I’m supposed to meet with Ollie today to talk about the floor plans. Can you meet with him? I don’t want to stand him up again. I’m going to send you an email with my thoughts. Please apologize for me.”

“Okay. I’m supposed to see him after practice today.”

“Great.”