Page 110 of Make Me Laugh

I freeze, my finger hovering over Frankie’s screen.

There’s no fucking way.

I sit up from my slouched position against Frankie’s arm, snatching the phone out of her hand to pull my account up.

3.1 million followers.

“Oh my god,” I hear myself say on an exhale and check West’s account next.

1.9 million followers.

That’s over 1.5 million new followers in four weeks for both of us. On one single platform.

Holy fucking shit.

West’s lips twitch into a crooked smile with a single dimple. “If you all thought I was insufferable when I hit a million followers, just wait until two.”

My worry about last night’s decision causing any awkwardness this morning disappears. We’re buzzing with excitement, Frankie insisting we need to take a group picture to commemorate this moment.

“Set the phone up,” she urges, pushing me out of the chair with her phone in my hand. I get up before I fall, propping Frankie’s phone against the paper towel holder on the counter.

I set the timer for ten seconds and plop back down beside Frankie. She pulls me into her chest, wrapping her arms around me from behind. I think we’re laughing in most of the shots, but we do eventually hold it together for one.

When we get a picture Frankie approves of, she points at me and then West. “Now, you two.”

West glances at me, waiting for my reaction.

I expect myself to shy away at the thought, but I don’t. Crossing the small kitchen feels like I’m walking a runway. West never takes his eyes off me. I slide into the chair next to him, and he puts his arm around my shoulders.

I’m pretty sure this is only our second posed picture together. Frankie coos about how cute us multi-millionaires are, and I sneak a glance at West. He must have had the same thought because we catch eyes and smile at each other with a secret bigger than the entire city of Philadelphia.

“So, um, while we have everyone here…” I say when Frankie lowers her phone.

Enzo leans against the counter. Kell pauses in the middle of the room. West slides his arm off my shoulder.

“Josette Matilda, are you pregnant?” Frankie pales, her hand covering her mouth.

“Holy shit, your mom’s gonna be stoked!” Kell claps his hands together once.

“No!” West and I both say at the same time.

“No,” I shake my head and repeat again. “I’m not pregnant.” I have to say the words out loud so everyone knows we’re very clear on that.

Frankie’s hand falls to her chest. “For the record, I would support you and be the best Aunt ever.” She eyes me and West. “And you two would have a very cute ba⁠—”

“Frankie,” I scold.

“Right, sorry. Continue.” She grits her teeth in an apologetic smile.

I look to West for help. I’m endlessly grateful he catches on without pause.

“It’s becoming increasingly obvious our views are significantly higher when we’re in videos together. People don’t care about us as much if we aren’t a couple.” I hope no one else catches the way he looks at me when he says that last part.

I nod, nibbling on the inside of my lip before picking up where he left off. “West suggested we start filming some content together earlier this week, but to no one’s surprise, I told him no, but if we’re doing all this to make money, we might as well capitalize on the brand deals offering double if we’re both involved.”

“You mean, the brands who will offer double?” West clarifies.

I scrunch my nose. “No… I mean, the ones who already have.” Holding my finger up to Enzo, because I know he’s bound to say something impulsive, I continue. “Hex is still mine. I get to decide what I’m comfortable with and when. My hesitancy never impacted West’s offers, only mine.”