I grimace at Ryder. “I also learned that I do not like the breakfast options in London.”
“I think every American agrees with you there.”
“And I learned that I only want to live in Southern California from now on.”
He nods, both of us having endured a long winter that…well, it sucked, especially compared to our mild winters here at home.
“But I also learned that I’m absolutely head over heels for my best friend,” I say. “And I want to be wherever he is.”
“Isn’t that convenient?” he says with a smirk. “I feel the same way.”
I reach up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his lips. We stop swaying, and he cups my face with his hands, gently keeping me close to him.
“Get a room!” Peter’s voice to our side interrupts our kiss, and we break apart, looking over to see him dancing with Gwen.
Unfortunately (for Gwen), she looks at Peter like he holds the moon in his hands.
“Yeah, yeah,” Ryder says, waving them away. “Let us be happy.”
Peter rolls his eyes but leads Gwen to a different part of the dance floor.
“Oh, she’s in trouble,” I say to Ryder.
“You’re telling me,” he replies. “But she doesn’t listen. She’s got this idealized version of who Peter could be, and no one’s going to talk her out of it.”
I sigh. “I hope he doesn’t break her heart.”
Ryder shakes his head. “She’s got to figure that out for herself.”
I rest my head on his chest, and we start swaying again. The thump of his heart is a steadying beat, the thing that makes me feel the most safe and secure. “I love you,” I murmur, burying my head in his chest.
His arms hold me even tighter. “I love you, Lily.” He stops and holds my face in his hands. “And I always will.”
I grin up at him, so grateful for him and the way he showed me who I really am. Not a little girl who’s afraid of the world. Not a dumb teenager who doesn’t know how to make good decisions. But a woman who’s worthy of love, who can trust herself, and who deserves to live the life she designs.
A life with Ryder by my side.
Nothing could be better.
THE END
Gwen
BONUS EPILOGUE
This is heaven.
Peter Stone, man of my dreams, has his hands on my waist, and mine are looped around the back of his neck. There’s barely any space between our bodies. If I wanted, I could close the gap and press my lips to his.
And boy, do I want to.
His head turns to the side, his attention drawn to someone at our side, and a smile fills his face. “Get a room!” He calls.
I turn my head to see Ryder kissing Lily and smile. I shake my head, then look back up at Peter. Leave it to him to tease his best friend.
Peter’s still looking at the pair, and I take advantage of my opportunity to study him. Ryder might be saying something to Peter, but I don’t pay attention to my cousin. Instead, I document his auburn hair that refuses to be tamed, begging for my fingers to run through. His blue eyes, sparkling with mischief. The freckles dusting the bridge of his nose that make him look eternally youthful, a feature you can only see up close. Which is exactly the view I’ve been blessed with.
I could die of happiness.
