Co leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Don’t be nervous, you’re with me. I’ve got you,” he assured me.
“That’s easy for you to say, you are a social butterfly, and you look like one of those Tyler Perry actors. You look like you belong here.”
He laughed, “Baby girl, I own one suit. I belong in the gym that is where I thrive. I feel like a fish out of water at these events myself, that’s why Brick usually handles these types of things when it comes to our company. I’m just the mascot,” he said solemnly.
“You are more than that. She may handle the business side of things but if you weren’t in the field doing the grunt work, she wouldn’t have a gym to manage. I’m willing to bet that 98 percent of the members that are there, are there because of you,” I assured him. He smiled at me and his eyes shone brightly.
“So, let’s be uncomfortable and navigate this space together,” he offered.
I smiled and nodded at him as I placed my hand in his and he guided me towards the front door. The photographers began taking pictures as guests walked inside.
“Oh no, they’re taking pictures, I wasn’t mentally prepared for paparazzi.” I whispered nervously.
“They’re just local bloggers, not TMZ. These pictures will probably just be on the Mayor’s website or his IG page. They won’t be all over the world. Besides, you look absolutely stunning. Smile at them the way you smile at me and the lenses will melt like I do.” He smirked.
Smiling, I squeezed his hands tighter, and he leaned down and whispered in my ear, “There you go.”
The cameras immediately started clicking.
“Over here!” One photographer shouted.
“Look this way!” Another one waved.
I immediately started walking away, but Cozart held me in place, and turned towards the camera smiling. Following his lead, I turned to look at them and smiled as well. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer as we posed for the pictures. His hand rested gently around my waist.
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
“Beautiful!” One photographer yelled out.
“One more!” Another one demanded.
I turned to look up at him, and he looked down at me as one last flash went off. He pulled me towards the front door and I giggled nervously.
“We survived,” I cheered dramatically.
“I almost didn’t you were eating me up out there. I had to start smiling with my eyes like Tyra Banks taught me how to do, I’m not going on the Mayor’s page and letting the people eat me up in the comments saying how good you look and how you are with me because of charity,” Cozart said under his breath causing me to laugh hysterically.
“You had no business learning how to ‘Smize,’ what were you doing watching America’s next top Model?” I asked him between breaths.
“My twin sister wanted a sister, so she bullied me into watching it with her. Then we had to play America’s Next Top Model, and I had to pretend to take her pictures,” he spat causing me to laugh under my breath.
“There it is again,” he grinned.
“What?”
“That laugh.”
“You are obsessed with my laugh.”
“I am.”
The honesty in his voice stole the joke right out of my mouth.
Before I could think of something witty to say, a woman’s voice interrupted us.
