Crystal couldn't stop smiling as she replayed her conversation with Jill over and over in her head. Even after the podcast episode had aired and the feedback started pouring in from listeners, it felt like the beginning of something much bigger than just an episode. The connection she felt with Jill had been undeniable, but it wasn't just admiration or respect—it was something deeper that she couldn't quite put into words.
That weekend, Crystal found herself scrolling through the comments on social media, soaking in the positive responses from her audience. They loved the episode with Jill, and many of them said it was her best interview yet.
"Girl, you really killed it with this one!" B Simone said as she flopped down onto Crystal's couch, a bag of takeout in hand. "The people are obsessed with it! I bet your numbers are gonna double."
Crystal smiled, grateful for the support. "It was wild. I still can't believe Jill was here, in my space, and we vibed so well."
"Uh-huh," B Simone said with a sly grin, raising an eyebrow. "And? Was it just professional vibes, or was there something else going on? I saw how y'all were looking at each other in that selfie."
Crystal's face warmed instantly. "What? No, it was nothing like that. She's Jill Scott. She's, like, untouchable."
B Simone leaned back, folding her arms. "I don't know about that. There was definitely a vibe, and you're glowing every time you talk about her."
Crystal brushed it off with a laugh, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. "Come on, B. It was just a really great conversation. We connected on a personal level, but that's it."
"Uh-huh, sure," B Simone teased, taking a bite of her food. "But just so you know, it's okay if there's something there. I mean, she's a whole vibe and you're... well, look at you. I wouldn't be surprised if she felt the same."
Crystal waved her off, though a small part of her couldn't help but wonder. She had felt a spark with Jill, but she had convinced herself it was just admiration for an artist she had idolized for years. But now that B Simone had brought it up, Crystal couldn't shake the thought.
Later that night, alone in her apartment, Crystal found herself scrolling through Jill's Instagram. She smiled at each post, feeling a sense of pride knowing that they had connected. She wanted to keep the conversation going, to reach out, but she hesitated. Would it come off as too eager? She didn't want to cross any boundaries.
Just as she was about to set her phone down, a notification popped up—a direct message from Jill. Crystal's heart leaped into her throat as she opened it.
Jill Scott: Hey Crystal, I just wanted to say again how much I enjoyed being on your podcast. I'm still thinking about some of the things we talked about—it really stayed with me. I hope we can connect again soon.
Crystal stared at the message, her pulse quickening. She hadn't expected Jill to reach out, much less with such a heartfelt note. She took a deep breath, typing out her response carefully.
Crystal: Thank you, Jill! It means so much that you felt that way. I've been thinking about our conversation too. I'd love to connect again soon—maybe over coffee or something?
Her finger hovered over the send button for a moment before she finally hit it. The wait for a reply felt like an eternity, but when Jill's response came, it made Crystal's heart flutter.
Jill Scott: Coffee sounds great. Let's do it sometime this week.
Crystal smiled, her nerves replaced with a rush of excitement. She couldn't believe that she was about to have coffee with Jill Scott. But this time, it wasn't just an interview—it was personal. And deep down, Crystal knew that this meeting would be different.
