With one loud rev of the engine, we soar down the road together. I laugh with delight, head thrown back as wind whips around us.
Cash has opened my eyes to the excitement of embracing my voice and my feelings. Wherever the road ahead of us might lead next, I know he and I will take the journey together.
EPILOGUE
“Faster, Cash!” I shout at the top of my lungs, laughing as the motorcycle beneath us rumbles and speeds down the road.
I cling to him, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment so I can concentrate on the feeling of the tires spinning against the tarmac, his strong, muscular back against my chest, and the wind rippling over the faux leather jacket Cash had given me as a gift on our one year anniversary last week.
We round one more street and the bike rockets down a hill. Before us, the great blue ocean sparkles endlessly. I rest my chin on Cash’s broad shoulder, enraptured by the sight ahead of us and the warmth of his body pressed close to mine.
When we pull up to the beach front house where my BFF’s and I still live, Cash slows the bike to a stop. He climbs off and helps me hop down to the ground before we set our helmets on the bike seats.
He grins at me, gently brushing my auburn hair back from my face, and then pulls me close.
“My little speed demon,” he teases.
I melt into him and giggle under my breath.
I still can’t believe it’s been more than a year since the day that Cash and I stood in front of Franco’s and I told him everything that had been weighing so heavily on my heart. In that time, I’ve continued pushing myself to be more open with my feelings and thoughts. I’ve also made a much bigger effort to be present in the G&G posts and videos, something our fans have responded enthusiastically to. Because of all of our efforts, Glossed & Glammed has continued to flourish.
In fact, we’re having a party at the beach house tonight to celebrate our latest Instagram milestone—ten million followers.
It seems like just yesterday that my besties and I were excited about having two million followers. We had no idea then that we would continue to skyrocket farther and farther up the ladder of social media fame. Every day, we continue to add more Glammers to our beauty and lifestyle squad and we welcome them like family. These days, we’re still working on launching more fashion lines with other collaborators, continuing to take on high-profile sponsorships and even some deluxe makeup palettes.
G&G is rocking the world, and so are Kali, Sutton, and I.
“Everyone’s waiting for us. We’d better get inside,” I murmur, though I linger in Cash’s arms long enough to run my fingers through his hair.
When I start to step away, however, he lightly tugs me back into his arms.
“Wait a minute, Liv,” he says, fingers dancing down my back and leaving my whole body pleasantly warm and shivering. “I have to tell you something.”
A familiar blush colors my face as his emerald eyes pour into mine. “What?”
He chuckles and bends his head to brush the tip of his nose against mine before kissing me tenderly. Each time we kiss, it always leaves me breathless, and this is no exception. When he pulls back, he’s smiling.
“I love you, Liv,” he says softly, his voice a little husky. “This past year has been the happiest of my life. I used to love solo rides on my motorcycle, but now I can’t imagine riding anywhere without you on my bike with me. You’re amazing and I intend on making sure you know that every single day.”
Cash has never been stingy with words, but I can’t help feeling a little embarrassed when he so affectionately lavishes them upon me. I tug him a little closer so I can steal one more kiss. Then I tip my head up so that I can gaze into his mesmerizing eyes.
“I love you, too, Cash,” I say, thinking that maybe I have since that day he sat across from me in that booth in Franco’s. “If I’d never met you, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to realize how important it is for me to speak up for myself and go after what I want. You’ve brought me closer to my friends and to our G&G followers, and you’ve helped me see myself in a whole new light, too.”
Cash gazes at me for a long moment, then kisses me again. We’re still locked in each other’s arms when the front door of the beach house opens and Kali, Sutton, Grayson, and Boone all come outside to playfully interrupt us.
Laughing, they usher Cash and me into the house where Chanel, George, and Coco excitedly hurry over to greet us.
I lean into Cash’s side, grinning from ear to ear as the house is filled with laughter, chatter, food, clinking glasses, and affection. It’s impossible not to think about how much all of our lives have changed over the past year. My best friends and I have met the loves of our lives and we’ve built a sturdy foundation for the career of our dreams.
Surrounded by the people and animals that I cherish the most, I’m more certain than ever that even with how happy we all are right now, that our best days are yet to come. Something tells me that the love my besties and I have for each other, our boyfriends, and our pets has strong, deep roots that will bloom into something magical and unforgettable forever.
* * * * *
