I wince but nod. “I’m serious. Let me handle this for you. Go on your getaway and enjoy your vacay with your guys.”
Squealing, Sutton and Kali throw their arms around me and hug me tight. I hug them back, and though I have to force my smile a little, I’m also really proud of myself for taking this leap of faith in my abilities.
After being unable to tell Cash how much I’m crushing on him, I need this kick in the butt to prove to myself that I’m not always going to be someone who will stay silent when something needs to be said.
This might be one little step in the right direction, but it’s the biggest one I’ve taken so far.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Thanks again for tuning in today, you gorgeous Glammers and fabulous Franco’s fans! We can’t wait for you all to get your hands on these clothes when they’re released. Keep an eye out, because it’s going to happen before you know it! It’s been so great spending time with you all today. Talk to you soon!” I grin and wave at the camera of my phone one more time before exiting the live feed.
I collapse backward on my bed with my arms and legs spread out to my sides like a starfish. When I stare dazedly up at the ceiling, exhilarated spots flicker in front of my eyes. I’m glad now that Sutton suggested hosting the strenuous livestream from the comfort of my own bed because it’s a great place to fall back on now.
I can hardly believe the hours-long stream is over now. It’d been looming over my head like a terrifying mountain all night long.
But I did it! I really did it!
Not only did I host a live Glossed & Glammed feed all on my own, but I actually ended up enjoying the heck out of it!
Answering questions and responding to comments in real-time turned out to be way more fun than I ever imagined, and I could tell the thousands of Glammers who’d popped in loved it as well. I’m definitely not the most outgoing of our influencer trio, and I could tell that our followers really appreciated being able to talk directly to me, especially given that this fashion collab with Franco is my passion project. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken this much to other people in one day. The whole time, my stomach was in my throat like I was on a roller-coaster twisting and turning and soaring, and by the time I left the feed, I was relishing the sensation.
My heart sings in my chest as a big smile spreads across my face. Adrenaline continues to pulse through my body. The exact details of the stream are admittedly a little hazy because I was so nervous at first, but the whole thing went without a hitch. I couldn’t have hoped it turned out better than it had.
Today has been a great day, one that I desperately needed after the rockiness of the past few.
From the corner of my bed, the phone trills again.
I scoop it up, accepting a Facetime call from my visibly buoyant friends. Kali and Sutton are seated side by side in the back of Boone’s cozy truck. The phone rocks and bobs as they roll down the highway toward San Francisco, though I know they should be getting there any minute. They’d left bright and early, but not before giving me two giant hugs and wishing me the best of luck with the stream. I’d barely slept a wink last night because I was so anxious about making my BFFs proud. Now, I’m almost delirious from both exhaustion and joy.
“Babe!” Sutton said excitedly. “You absolutely rocked that livestream! All the fans’ comments were so excited and happy. I bet the engagement rate was through the roof! I’ve never seen that many comments pour in so fast. Kali and I kept checking to see how it was going. We thought we might have to figure out a way to join in if it was dead, but you kept the conversation flowing like a pro!”
Kali pushes into the shot to nod eagerly, her long, sleek blond hair tumbling over her slender shoulders. “We’re always impressed by you, but you really knocked this out of the park!”
I blush and give them a big smile. “Thanks, guys. I really tried my best!”
“We can tell,” Kali laughs. “You know this means you’re going to have to join in our videos more after this. The Glammers are going to want to see so much more of you now that they got a little taste.”
“I thought about that and I think I’m actually okay with it,” I say, surprising even myself.
“Yay!” my besties both cry exuberantly.
Dragging her sunglasses a little lower on her nose, Sutton’s green eyes gleam playfully. “The real question is, did you enjoy yourself, babe? Because it looked to us like you were having the time of your life.”
“Honestly? I had so much fun,” I say. Sincere enthusiasm ripples through my words and makes my smile widen even more. My cheeks are starting to ache, I’m grinning so much. “I was always so scared of being on camera and saying the wrong thing or coming off plain boring, but it felt a lot more natural than I expected. I was a little flustered in the beginning when I saw how many people were joining in to watch the feed, but I was fine after that.”
“Well, you looked like a natural,” Kali says. She’s always warm and kind, but I really appreciate her assurance right now after doing one of the bravest things in my entire G&G career. “That’s why our Glammers adore you so much. You’re so special, not only to us but to them, too. Sutton and I know how to put on a happy mask even when we’re feeling sad or stressed, but your emotions are genuine and authentic all the time. Our fans pick up on little things like that. They love you, Liv, and so do we!”
“Us, too!” Grayson calls from the front seat suddenly, earning giggles from both Kali and Sutton.
“What Grayson said! Great job, Liv!” Boone chimes in eagerly. “We’ll celebrate the minute we’re back in town in a few days.”
I let out a delighted laugh. “You got it! Anyway, I’ll let you guys go. Enjoy your vacay. Love you guys!”
“Love you, too!” Sutton and Kali respond simultaneously.
After hanging up the phone, I sit up on my bed. Chanel’s gray, fuzzy ears lift and she hops off the oversized pillow where she, Coco, and Georgie had all snuggled up for the duration of the livestream. As soon as the little bunny moves, both the other pets rouse, too. Realizing that I’d finished working, George gives a cheerful bark and climbs to his four paws. Coco leaps gracefully up onto my bed to nuzzle her soft face against my arm. I scoop the sleek kitty up along with Chanel and slide off the bed to plant a kiss on the lab mix’s wet snout. George licks me, tail wagging, while Coco purrs and Chanel snuggles deeper into my arms. Whenever Kali and Sutton leave town or go out for the night, the three pets and I get a whole lot of quality cuddles in.
It’s one of the best feelings in the world, comparable only to the evening when Cash and I had our photo shoot on the beach. I’ve never felt as beautiful as I had in that one moment where he was looking at me through the lens of my camera. Sure, I had to be the center of attention for this G&G livestream, but when Cash’s eyes were my spotlight, I felt like I never wanted the performance to end.
