Kali & Grayson Page 8

  It’s the kind of kiss that has me feeling like a rocket blasting into space.

  Everything else fades to the background when I’m in his arms. This earth-shattering kiss is surely the first of many, and I’m already dying for another—and another after that.

  When we finally come up for air—though whether it’s a few minutes or an hour later, I’m not entirely sure—everyone in the stadium is cheering, kids and adults alike. Sutton and Liv are at the forefront, jumping up and down and squealing wildly.

  Grayson and I laugh, grinning at one another, and I go up on tiptoe to kiss him again.

  “Sometimes,” I whisper against his delicious lips, “I guess the worst mistakes can lead to the most beautiful blessings.”

  EPILOGUE

  “Hurry up, guys!” Sutton calls from the studio. “I posted that we’re going live in two minutes on Insta!”

  “Two minutes?” Liv yelps, something crashing as she hurries to get the ring lights on and the cameras in place.

  From where Grayson and I stand outside in the hallway, I tilt my head back, my arms going around his neck.

  “You sure you’re ready for this?” I ask softly.

  Grayson grins down at me. The tip of his nose brushes mine as his fingers sweep through my long, blond hair. We spent all morning playing on the beach with George, who was currently fast asleep in his comfy blue bed.

  “We’ve been dating for more than six months,” he replies, giving me a playful kiss on the tip of my nose. “I think it’s past time you introduce me to your Glammers.”

  I couldn’t agree more. I just wanted to give him the chance to back out if he changed his mind.

  I laugh. “There’s just one more thing before we go in there.”

  Before he can ask what it is, I go up on the tips of my toes and steal yet another sweet kiss from the man of my dreams.

  Every day since we made it official in front of everyone at Fostering Tomorrow has been better than the one before it. If I thought my life was a dream before meeting Grayson, then I’m living in absolute paradise now.

  Grayson has been successfully working his way up the rungs of his firm’s ladder while also helping the girls and I iron out some of our more intricate contracts. His knowledge has proved indispensable, as has his generosity in helping us. We’ve even hooked him up with some other local charities and foundations in town which has his name spreading through the legal world like wildfire. He’s already been highlighted as an up-and-coming lawyer in several publications and on various websites. In fact, he’s so well-known now that people are practically begging for his representation. He received so much recognition that even his parents reached out to him. They apologized for their behavior, and though Grayson was a little hesitant about rebuilding those bridges, he said that I gave him the strength to do it. We have dinner with them once a week now, and they’re as delightful as their son, once you get to know them.

  As for Glossed & Glammed, our brand has been similarly booming.

  Our work with Fostering Tomorrow gained national attention and Laura constantly sends me updates on how many wonderful milestones their charity is hitting. I can’t wait to use my platform to continue helping everyone I can—with my wonderful man at my side, of course.

  “Thirty seconds!” Sutton hollers.

  I reluctantly step away from Grayson to lead him toward the studio, but he catches my hand and lightly tugs me back into his chest.

  “Wait,” he says.

  Had he changed his mind?

  “Kali,” he whispers, pressing his forehead to mine, “I love you. I’ve been trying to find the perfect way to tell you that, but I just can’t hold back anymore. I love everything about you. Your smile, your heart, your drive, your stubbornness, even the way you steal the blankets in bed. I love it all.”

  Unexpected tears spring to my eyes.

  I blink hard, desperate not to mess up my makeup right before introducing my boyfriend to my fans for the very first time, but one tear escapes no matter how hard I try not to let it. He tenderly kisses it away and cups my face in his large hands.

  “I love you,” he repeats as if he’d been waiting to say those three simple words his whole life.

  “I love you, too,” I say, going up onto my tiptoes so that my lips can capture his again.

  He sweeps me into his arms, kissing me passionately, just as Liv pokes her head out of the studio.

  “Guys! We’re live! Come on!”

  Laughing, Grayson and I slowly step back from each other. I take his hand in mine, fingers lacing tightly, and lead him to the studio.

  I settle down on the plush couch with Grayson between Sutton and me, then smile at the camera, my hand still in his.

  “Hello, Glammers!” Sutton says. “We’re so excited about this video and know you will be, too. Not only are we introducing you to the hunky new man in Kali’s life, but we’ve got some fabulous new things to share with you, too!”

  While Sutton talks, I catch sight of my reflection in the video monitor that’s always beside Liv and the camera. This time, there’s nothing fake about my smile. Whenever I’m around Grayson, I’m filled with buoyant, bright, effortless joy.

  I clear my throat, tightening my hold on Grayson’s hand, and nod at the camera. I can see comments on the screen flying by so fast that I can’t even read them. Judging by the sheer amount of heart-eyed and grinning emojis, I know our fans are just as excited about meeting Grayson as I am to introduce him.

  I look away from the screen to gaze at him. He returns my gaze and caresses the back of my hand with his thumb.

  “Ready when you are,” he mouths with a wink.

  Despite my millions of followers and my fame and the pressure of being the “It” girl all the time, I know now that I have a soft space to land whenever I need it.

  Our love story has only just begun, and I can’t wait to see where Grayson and I go together.

  * * * * *

  I hope you had as much fun reading Kali and Grayson’s story as I had writing it!

  Kali’s besties and fellow “IT” Girls, Sutton and Liv, each have their own story to tell, and I can’t wait for you to read them!

  Sutton and Boone

  The spotlight can be a lonely place…

  Sutton Fox is literally the face in front of the camera for Glossed & Glammed, the online company for all-things fashion. Founded with her two best friends, the girls never imagined their little tutorials would become an internet sensation. But now with over two million followers, fame and fortune is theirs. But it has a price. In the highly competitive world of fashion influencing, staying at the top means every moment of every day is spent working–and worrying. For Sutton, being in the center of their bright spotlight is something she can’t get enough of but knowing every star eventually burns out is constantly in the back of her mind. If she’s not trending, then she’s failing. So she comes up with a publicity plan.

  When rugby star Boone Hammond rescues her from an overly aggressive creep at a charity event, Sutton knows she’s found the guy to put her plan into motion. The only thing G&G fans like as much as fashion is romance, so Sutton makes a proposal to Boone: She’ll pretend to be his girlfriend to fend off fangirls if he’ll be her high-profile arm candy for the next few months to increase her online presence. It’s a win-win for both of them. Once the allotted time is fulfilled, they both walk away. No harm, no foul. No emotions. But Sutton can’t deny the intense attraction or her feelings. When she’s with Boone, she’s happier than she’s ever been, without all the insecurities that haunt her.

  But the agreement was, if either of them starts getting attached, they have to break off their fake relationship. How can she walk away from the one man who finally makes her feel real?

  “After you,” the handsome stranger says as he pushes open the door leading out onto the terrace, then steps aside to allow me to walk out ahead of him.

  Smiling at him a little uncertainly, I slowly take a step onto the r
ooftop promenade.

  The music playing out here is much more mellow than the pulsing beat downstairs, and long garlands of lights strung around the pergola twinkle brighter than the stars above us. I catch my breath. From way up here, I feel like I can see all of LA. It’s like being on top of the world. It leaves me feeling breathless and invigorated. I’m so glad that I came to the party tonight, if only for this sight.

  My rescuer waves over one of the servers carrying a plate of drinks and puts in an order for the both of us before leading me to an empty couch situated in the far corner of the terrace.

  “I thought we could sit here for a few minutes so you can collect yourself,” he explains as he sits down beside me. “Plus, we can also see if that ruffian decides to follow us up here.”

  I’ve never heard anyone use the term ruffian before, and it makes me giggle. I’m not too worried about the jerk bothering us, but the couch is comfy and I’m very curious about who this mysterious man is, so I oblige him.

  It’s a little chilly way up here and I find myself shivering just as the server arrives with our drinks—another Long Island iced tea for me and what looks like a Jack and Coke for him.

  “Are you cold?” he asks.

  He doesn’t even wait for me to answer before he starts shrugging out of his suit jacket. Concern makes his dark blond brows draw together as he holds it out to me.

  Just who is this guy who’s willing to give me his jacket before he’s even given me his name?

  No other guy I’ve ever met has ever been that chivalrous. I feel like most men in LA—Kali’s boyfriend, Grayson, excluded, of course—have never even heard of gallantry.

  I consider myself fiercely independent—which is probably part of why I haven’t been in a relationship in a while—but it’s nice when a guy shows some common decency for once.

  “I’m a little chilly,” I answer honestly.

  He drapes the jacket around my shoulders and the lingering heat of his body and the scent of his cologne on the soft, expensive material warms me up even more than the cocktail I had a few sips of earlier.

  The guy is not only sweet, but he’s also handsome as can be. Dark blond hair hangs into ocean blue eyes and his body is absolutely killer. He looks like a runner type, or at least someone super active. I blink hard in an attempt to stop my wandering imagination from conjuring an image of him running in a pair of gym shorts with the SoCal sun beaming down on his shirtless, chiseled bod.

  Man, I really have been out of the dating pool too long if I can’t even have a conversation with a gorgeous guy before daydreaming about how he looks half-naked.

  “I’m Boone Hammond,” the stranger who is a stranger-no-longer explains, sticking out his hand.

  We shake, and when he releases me, my fingers keep tingling.

  “Sutton Fox,” I say, reaching up to tuck my long, dark hair behind my ear. “Hey, thanks for being my knight in shining…suit down there. That guy was a major creep.”

  Boone chuckles and eases back in his seat. He folds his muscled arms over his well-built chest. “I’d recognize a damsel in distress anywhere,” he quips before playfully winking. “But to be honest, I wasn’t worried about you. I was worried about him. If I waited for another second, I think you might’ve decked him.”

  I flash a glossed grin, glad now that I had Kali get me all dolled up before I left for the party. I suppose you never know what cutie you’re going to run into, especially at an affair like this. I might not have any time for a relationship, but I can have at least one flirty conversation before I go.

  “I’m pretty good at taking care of myself,” I admit with a laugh. “It’s nice when someone else steps in to help though. A bar fight probably wouldn’t have helped my brand at all.”

  “Brand?” he echoes, gorgeous blue eyes curious. “Wait, let me guess. Are you one of those…what are they called?” He pauses and his face twists one way and then the other in deep thought. “In-flu-enzers?”

  He pronounces the word like he’s speaking another language entirely and puts a weird, southern emphasis on the middle syllable.

  “In... flu... enzer?” I repeat, jaw dropping.

  I laugh until I can’t breathe. It’s probably not the sexiest look in the whole world, but Boone merely looks pleased to have brought me so much amusement. His chest is puffing a bit with pride despite the hilarious tears building in the corners of my eyes.

  “Tell me you did not just say that,” I finally manage to pant. “It sounds like you’re talking about a deadly disease. I’m a beauty influencer. My two best friends and I have a popular YouTube channel where we post a lot about lifestyle, makeup, fashion tips, etcetera. Believe me, there’s definitely no infection involved.”

  Boone chuckles, eyes gleaming. He has an attractive laugh, one that suddenly gives me an old-fashioned hankering for sweet tea and buttery biscuits. When he crosses one ankle over his knee, his foot jiggles slightly and the overhanging lights glint against the leather of his black shoe.

  “I guess I’m pretty out of the loop when it comes to social media things. My coaches have always been pretty strict about what we should post online, so I just don’t.”

  “Oh. So you’re, like, a sports dude?” I ask, intrigued.

  “Athlete,” he corrects with an amused grin. “But yes. I play for the Coyotes, the professional rugby team here in LA. I actually just moved here last year.”

  I narrow my eyes playfully on the handsome athlete. “Rugby? That’s kinda like real football, right?”

  “Says the in-flu-enzer,” he teases right back, grin widening.

  We burst into laughter again as we sip our drinks, appraising each other curiously at the same time.

  “Are you a California girl, born and raised?” he finally asks.

  When I nod, he gives a thoughtful hmm and gazes down into his drink before swirling the glass gently. Ice clinks against the backdrop of soft music and the muted conversation of other people on the terrace.

  “Where are you from, Boone?”

  He smiles again, but this time it’s a small, almost bittersweet smile. “Texas. They say everything is bigger in Texas, but here in California, everything is way more overwhelming. It’s all hustle and bustle and rush and fuss. It makes a country boy’s head spin. I’m definitely not in Texas anymore.”

  I set down my drink on the small table in front of us, then slip off my heels and curl up on the couch with my feet beneath me. Nestled in Boone’s jacket, it almost feels like I’ve known him forever, even though he’d only just whisked me away moments ago. With him, I don’t feel this pressure to be a picture-perfect girl. I can simply chat with him, person to person. He has my curiosity piquing.

  “I can definitely imagine a move like that being overwhelming,” I say. “I grew up not far from here, so I’ve never had to truly relocate. Did you come out here all by yourself?”

  He drags a hand through his dark blond hair and an uncomfortable expression flashes across his face. Just when I'm regretting saying anything, he shakes his head but the movement is so small I almost blink and miss it.

  “I actually moved here with a girl—Lucy. We’d been together since high school, but in our tiny town, that wasn’t unusual. She ended up cheating on me a little while after we got here.”

  “I'm so sorry,” I whisper, wincing.

  Boone shrugs strong shoulders. “I’m over it now. I mean, I’m way too busy with the Coyotes’ intense training schedule to date anyway, so maybe it was for the best. Plus, we hadn’t exactly been happy before the move.” He pauses and strokes his chin before laughing quietly. “Honestly, the hardest thing about being single lately is the team’s fangirls. They’re relentless! I can hardly walk down the sidewalk without one of the Coyotes’ groupies tackling me. It was never like that in Texas.”

  I paw playfully at his shoulder. “That’s because you’re special here! That southern charm of yours is going to attract girls for miles.” I sigh. “I get what you’re saying, though. T
he only men whose interest I seem to catch are sleazeballs like the one downstairs. If I had time for romance, it would definitely not be with someone like that.”

  “Why does being single have to be so complicated?” Boone muses before sipping his drink again.

  “Tell me about it,” I say with a snort. “Don’t people get that not everyone is actively looking for a relationship? Fans are always asking when I’m going to find a boyfriend, but running the G&G channel is more than a full-time job. It’s practically my existence.”

  Boone grins. He rests his head against the back of the couch as the music swells and changes.

  “Sometimes, I think about hiring someone to come with me to these parties,” he chuckles. “I know that sounds insane, but it’d keep the girls from flocking all over me. I can’t even enjoy myself at these parties most of the time because so many women keep trying to get my attention.” He lifts his head again and turns toward me with a faint frown. “I have to be honest, Sutton, that was part of the reason I scooped you up tonight. I would’ve helped anyone who was being tormented by that gross guy, but I was hoping you would hang out with me for a bit so I had a chance at having a good time tonight. I mean, look, we haven’t had a single person come bug us since we sat down.”

  Frankly, Boone’s right. I hadn’t even considered that until now. Nothing else dramatic had happened since we buddied up. It’s a miracle.

  Suddenly, I shoot upward on the couch and twist toward him.

  “Boone,” I whisper, barely able to talk through my earnest excitement, “I think you might be a genius.”

  “Think?” he teases, but his brow slowly creases with confusion. “But seriously, what are you talking about?”