“Are we good?” Linus asks before we step through the door.
Glancing over my shoulder at him, I smile. “We’re good.”
“Hey, Riley?”
“Yeah?”
He gives me a wry smile. “You realize you said that you loved me for the first time…as you were breaking up with me.”
“That’s sort of horrible, isn’t it?”
“Want to try again?”
I loop my hands around his neck and brush my lips against his. “Linus. I love you.”
“Much better,” he teases and starts in the door, but I pull him back. He grins and squeezes me tight. “I love you too.”
When we finally join the others, my father sets his fork next to his plate. “Now, Riley, are you going to introduce us to your friend?”
Every eye turns on us, every single one of them nonchalant—as if they weren’t all talking about us when we were outside. I know them well enough to know they were.
It’s at this moment I realize that I’ve always known who I am and where I belong—right here, at this table, with my best friend and her family, and all my family too. It doesn’t matter that I was popular or a cheerleader in high school. It doesn’t matter that I had the best boyfriend—or that I had a boyfriend at all. I’ve never had to pretend here. No matter what, they love me—despite all my imperfections and sometimes because of them.
And Linus loves me too.
“This is Linus.” I squeeze his hand under the table. “My boyfriend.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Epilogue
Four and a half years later
“I’m thinking tangerine, orange, and yellow,” I say to Lauren over the phone. “Maybe with some pink thrown in for fun.”
“For what?” she asks.
“For my wedding.”
There is a stunned silence followed by a very dramatic, very “Lauren-ish” squeal. “Did Linus finally ask you to marry him?”
She says “finally” like I’m so far behind her. She and Harrison got married a month ago.
“No, but he’s going to. I just got badges to the most geektastic nerd convention ever.” As I talk, I scan the airport pickup area for Linus. According to his text, he should be out any minute.
“That thing in San Diego he’s always going on about?” she asks.
“The very one.” I crane my neck, looking behind me, and jump when a man with Linus’s color hair walks out the glass double doors. Then I slump in my seat. It’s not him. “I thought I was going to have to trade my firstborn child to secure them. There must be a lot of Linuses in the world.”
“I still don’t understand what tickets have to do with him proposing.”
“Oh, trust me.” I grin when I see Linus walk through the doors. He’s carrying a simple brown duffel bag over his shoulder and wearing one of his screen print T-shirts. His hair is a touch too long, and he’s wearing cargo shorts despite the cold April day. “I gotta go, Lauren. I’ll call you later.”
I step out of the car and wave him over. Linus’s face brightens with a huge smile the moment he sees me, and he strides toward me like a man who hasn’t seen his girlfriend since Christmas break. Which he hasn’t.
Not caring that we’re surrounded by people, he catches me around the waist. His hands travel my arms and shoulders, and his fingers twine in my hair.
“I missed you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“I bought you a present,” I say, unable to help myself. In just a few months, he’ll be back for good. I can hardly wait.
Linus angles his head back to look at me, a secret smile on his lips. “What a coincidence. I got one for you, too.”
“I bet mine is better.”
He grins. “Doubt it.”
“Oh yeah?” I shoot him a cocky smile. “I just picked up badges for a little event in San Diego.”
His eyes widen with surprise. “You didn’t.”
“I totally did.” I hold out my hand, waggling my fingers. “Now what did you get me?”
“I was going to give it to you at dinner…” He smirks.
I squeeze him tight. “Oh, come on.”
“Fine.” Linus sets his duffel bag in the passenger seat of my car and unzips it. “Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
I do as I’m told, and the softest brush of a velvet box makes my heart stop. It’s a ring. It’s a ring.
“Now open,” he whispers.
Feeling as if I’m going to float away, I open my eyes and snap open the box.
“Oh. It’s a…necklace.” Then, worried I’ve hurt his feelings when he’s gotten me this truly gorgeous diamond pendant, I quickly add, “And it’s gorgeous.”
He scrunches his mouth to the side. “Do you like it? I was worried it was missing something.”
Yeah—it’s missing a ring.
I lean forward and kiss him softly on the lips. “Of course not. It’s perfect, and I love it.”
“So…you don’t want this?” From out of nowhere, he produces a perfect solitaire engagement ring, and he laughs at me with his eyes. “I suppose I can take it back…”
My breath whooshes out of my lungs, and I cling to him so I don’t fall over. “Linus, I swear if you’re messing with me—”
“Hey, Riley.” He interrupts, grinning. “I have a question to—”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t even asked you yet!” he protests.
“Okay, hurry up.”
In the front of the airport, Linus sinks to one knee. “Riley, I love you. Would you do me the honor of—”
Too excited, I squeal, “YES!”
“Good grief.” He laughs as he stands up and yanks me close. “I practiced this. You could at least let me finish it.”
“Okay.” I nod, serious.
“Marry me?” he murmurs against my ear.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “Okay.”
Linus slides the ring on my finger, and I sigh as I hold it up to the light. “I needed a little shine and shimmer in my life.”
“Me too,” Linus says as he kisses me. “That’s why I’m marrying you.”
Author’s Note
We’ve reached the end! I had an amazing time writing this book, and I hope you enjoyed Riley and Linus’s story. If you liked the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It doesn’t have to be long—a sentence or two would be great. It makes a huge difference.
Now, for those of you wondering if Harper is going to get a chance to tell her story—if we’ll finally get a little more Brandon—the answer is yes. The entire cast of characters (even Sadie!) will return in Sugar and Spice, the third book in the Glitter and Sparkle series. I don’t have an estimated release date yet, but you can check out my blog at shariltapscott.com for updates.
You guys are the best readers an author could ask for. Your encouragement, emails, and Facebook posts keep me going. I am so thankful for each and every one of you.
Wishing you all the best,
Shari L. Tapscott
About the Author
Shari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing. She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
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Glitter and Sparkle Series
Glitter and Sparkle
Shine and Shimmer
Sugar and Spice (Coming Soon)
Eldentimber Series
Pippa of Lauramore
Anwen of Primewood
Seirsha of Errinton
Rosie of Triblue
Audette of Brookraven
Grace of Vernow: An Eldentimber Novelette
Fai
ry Tale Kingdoms
Puss without Boots: A Puss in Boots Retelling
Standalone Contemporary
Just the Essentials
Shine and Shimmer (Glitter and Sparkle #2) Page 18