Page 9 of The Next Chapters
Ellie smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly as everyone leaned in and lightly clinked their glasses against hers, with Mia turning and pressing her lips against Ellie’s cheek.
Gianna’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming as she winked, “Macro, micro… I hope you appreciate the scientific terms I used just for you.”
“Very scientific,” Ellie agreed, her mouth pulling into a smile as she held Gianna’s gaze and nodded in that serious way she had.
“Last but never, ever least…” Gianna turned, gazing at Riley from the seat next to hers. And, as always, the adoration in it swept through her. “Riley, you deserve all of the good things in the world; I am merely thrilled to have the privilege to continue to be by your side for them.”
She felt that all-encompassing feeling wash through her very veins as she leaned in and pressed her lips to Gianna’s, unable to stop herself.
At this time last year, she would have never imagined where her life would be. How could she have?!
And yet, this time last year, she’d been celebrating her birthday much the same way – with Gianna by her side, making her feel like she was the most important person on earth.
Bolstered on by that feeling, she lifted her glass again before everyone could set theirs down.
“I’m also proposing a toast.” She arched an eyebrow at Gianna, whose blue eyes never strayed from Riley’s face. “To Gianna. For organizing this trip to Vegas for all of us and turning it into a birthday celebration for Ellie and me when in reality,” she stressed, deliberately tapping her glass lightly against her girlfriend’s, “The entire reason this trip was happening in the first place is because of her brilliant work with Worthy.”
The little smile that played on the corners of Gianna’s lips was as sheepish as Gianna would ever wear, as she held Riley’s gaze inches away.
And god damn it if Riley didn’t find it absolutely charming.
How did Gianna do it? She vaguely wondered, as she often did. How did she wear self-deprecating with as much charm and beauty as she did when she was glowingly self-possessed? How was she so unquestionably, unfathomably arresting, no matter what?
This had been something Riley had thought about since long before they’d ever been romantic, but now, she felt a wonderment along with it. A brand-new appreciation.
When Gianna slowly lifted her eyebrows, and Joel cleared his thought questioningly, Riley realized she’d paused a little too long to be normal, getting caught up in those thoughts.
She might have been embarrassed if she had been seated with anyone else in the world. But for Gianna, Ellie, Joel, and Mia to catch her admiring Gianna, Riley didn’t have anything to be embarrassed about.
Clearing her throat, she continued, “In true Gianna fashion, she took her own success and made it something for all of us to share and celebrate.”
“To Gianna,” Mia gamely, warmly toasted, lifting her glass again.
As they finished up at the restaurant, Riley sat back and observed everyone, letting her thoughts meander again.
Gianna had ended up getting some meetings set up with the execs of a large lingerie retail distributor, and as soon as the date had been set for late August, she’d excitedly informed the entire group that she finagled a weekend for them in Vegas.
She’d then arranged little lists of activities for all of them that they’d be interested in since Ellie, Mia, and Joel weren’t interested in gambling. Different shows and events, little things they’d all enjoy.
As they left the restaurant, they were all breaking off into little groups to enjoy their final evening here. Gianna had gotten Joel tickets to some sort of lights show that he was ecstatic about, and Ellie and Mia were going to the last show in a physics expo at the convention center attached to the hotel.
And Gianna was responsible for it all, Riley thought, as she watched their group disperse, leaving her and Gianna alone at the exit.
Gianna sighed exaggeratedly, a small smile on her lips as they watched them go. “Babies, all of them. I feel like I’m watching my children toddle off into the bright Vegas lights.”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh, leaning her shoulder into Gianna’s. “And what amazing parents we would be in that respect.”
“Do you remember our first trip to Vegas?” Gianna asked thoughtfully as she looked around.
She craned her head to be able to give Gianna the incredulous look that question deserved. “Do I remember? Do I remember coming here on the Fourth of July for your twenty-fourth birthday, getting caught up in an accidental parade, you winning ten thousand dollars in roulette, and then watching the most insane fireworks show from our top-floor hotel balcony…. Hmm.” Riley tapped her fingers against her chin as she screwed up her face in faux contemplation. “I’m not quite sure.”
Gianna laughed loudly and exuberantly – a sound of sheer joy – even as she lightly pinched at Riley. “No need to get sassy.”
“I think it’s very fair to get sassy when you ask me if I remember our first trip here.” She shot Gianna a look. “I remember every trip we’ve ever taken.”
After all, every big travel experience Riley had taken since college had been with Gianna. From visiting Mummo in Finland and then traveling to the rest of the Nordic countries to taking the train through the majority of the rest of Europe, to the countless islands they’d visited on relaxing resorts. Even in the states – she and Gianna had gone to the Grand Canyon together, to the Outer Banks, Napa Valley, skiing in Aspen.
“You may travel quite a bit for work without me, but all of my excursions are with you,” Riley reminded her.