Page 26 of The Next Chapters

To neither of their surprise, Giulia would never want Gianna to stop something that gave her so much social clout. She’d made it no secret over the years that Gianna’s social media following was the aspect of Gianna she was most proud of.

“But the accounts I have that you follow, my real ones, I’ll still use,” Gianna continued. “Where else am I going to post my disgustingly sappy posts about you on our anniversary?”

Riley smiled back, though she still studied Gianna closely. “But – is that what you want?”

“The dream was never to be a social media queen forever, Riley. You know that,” Gianna gently reminded her.

And yes, Riley did know that. She’d been there for the creation of those accounts, for Gianna’s rise to superfame on the internet.

But over the years, as Gianna had grown more popular, gained more followers, made more money, garnered a bigger following and more sponsorship offers than she could agree to – well, Riley had assumed that would be the new plan, she supposed.

“You just never expressed that it wasn’t the long-term plan in the last few years, is all.”

“Worthy is the way forward,” Gianna informed her, re-situating herself in Riley’s lap. “I have a great deal now, and with my savings and investments from the last ten years, we wouldn’t have to work a day in our lives, even without Worthy’s success.”

“I’m not worried about the money,” Riley assured her, pinching Gianna’s hip lightly. “I just want to make sure you’re going to be happy.”

Gianna’s happiness had always been her primary concern, and that fact had only gotten more intense as the last few years had passed.

“Riley. I am married to my best friend, whom I have been in love with for my entire adult life. We have the first of hopefully many babies. And my lingerie line is officially carried nationwide,” Gianna deadpanned. “I’m fairly certain that life truly doesn’t get better than that.”

Riley was inclined to agree.

Part

Five

THAT GREEN-EYED MONSTER

The Before

AGE: 26

Gianna walked into the living room with two glasses of wine that were a little fuller than was appropriate in polite society. But she and Riley weren’t in polite society; they were together, just the two of them, and it was a Saturday night.

“I have some sustenance,” she announced, before stumbling to a stop at the sight of Riley.

Sprawled out on Gianna’s couch, her hair splayed out under her like a halo. Her leggings and classic B.U. sweatshirt made her look cozy and cute and just so damn good.

Gianna only paused for a second to stare before she shook herself out of it like the seasoned professional at being in love with Riley that she was.

She cleared her throat, walking closer to the couch. “Now, fill me in one why I am graced with your impeccable company tonight when you had a date with Eager Eric.” She twisted her lips to the side in thought, sipping on her wine, before she clarified, “The sex date, if I’m not mistaken.”

She knew, in fact, that she was not mistaken. There was no way she could possibly be mistaken when it came to Riley talking about sex and how she’d discussed that she and Eric were likely going to get down tonight.

Riley blew out a disappointed sigh. “I think, unfortunately, we’re going to have to rename him to Egotistical Eric.”

Gianna had put her years of jealousy behind her. Really.

Riley had been telling her for years about her dates and her sexcapades, and Gianna did her due diligence as Riley’s best friend with no problem. Mostly because she wanted to hear every detail!

She supposed that was the double-edged sword of being in love with her best friend. Sure, sometimes hearing every detail of Riley’s search for love made her ache inside. Just a little. But she also genuinely wanted to know everything.

It was fine that Riley wasn’t queer, that Gianna had no chance at being the person that brought Riley romantic fulfilment or sexual satisfaction. She couldn’t fault Riley for her sexuality any more than she could fault herself for having fallen for Riley.

But Gianna would be damned if she didn’t hold Riley’s prospective love interests to a high standard.

So, her outrage was entirely genuine as her mouth fell open, indignant. “What did he do?!”

---