I find a spot in the back corner of the parking lot. Luckily, it’s not raining, otherwise I’d be drenched by the time I make it inside. On the contrary, I’ll probably be drenched in my own sweat from the nerves anyway. It’s not that I’m nervous about seeing Nas do a book signing. I’ve been to one as a fan of his myself, but the fact that he is doing a meet and greet is what bothers me. I know he’s a superstar in the world of books, but seeing as how all five of Nas’s best selling books all began with him holding a meet and greet, I think I have a right to be concerned.

Right of the Slash was published yesterday, and it immediately shot to number one across a variety of bestsellers lists. While we’re still waiting on the results for the New York Times list, everyone in Nas’s circle is confident it will hit the top spot there as well, giving Nas his fifth mega book in a row. This book, however, is special. Not only is it published with Nas’s real name on the cover, signifying him becoming confident in who he is and taking pride in what he writes, it’s also special because he and I came together and agreed that he should publish it. Nas insisted on keeping the novel private because of how much detail it gives about us, but I wanted it out there, and convinced him that the world needed to read our story. Even Nas’s agent and publisher agreed that it’s the best thing he has ever written, and they pounced on the opportunity to put it out. It’s a monumental day for us, but I’m still nervous.

After a long exhale, I finally get out of my car. Each step toward the bookstore makes me feel more anxious as I can hear talking coming from inside the store as I walk past the windows. When I open the door, I’m greeted by a legion of women still standing on the first floor. Excitement is in the air, which means Nas just left. He must’ve gone over his time for the general signing to make sure he got to everyone who showed up to support him and Right of the Slash.

The buzz is tangible as I step inside and begin to maze my way through the crowd, my sights set on the escalators in the back. The place is so crowded, it’ll probably take me ten minutes to get there, but I find a path and try to stick to it. On my way, I walk past two women simply gushing over Nas.

“He’s literally the hottest man I’ve ever seen,” one woman says, clutching a paperback copy of Right of the Slash to her chest as if it’s Nas himself.