Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Riley

I knew the closer I got to the wedding, the more stressed I’d be. But at least I didn’t have to worry about finding a plus one.

“So, what really is there left to do?” Eric asked, sipping on his drink.

“What is there left to do?” Giselle looked like she was about to pop a vein.

“The girls still need to pick up their dresses, the guys need their tuxes, I need to finalize with the caterer...”

“Who’s your caterer?” Eric asked as Aaron supportively stroked his wife and mother-to-be’s shoulders.

No one had made a comment about Giselle’s sudden shift in drinks, which led me to believe they also knew and had been sworn to secrecy, or perhaps they weren’t that observant.

“Penn’s Bakery...” she said. “Why?”

Eric pointed over to the jukebox. “Like, Penn Barrett?”

Giselle opened her mouth as Eric shrugged. “He’s over there, talking to Mitchell. You do know, Mitchell, like, Jasper Springs’s fucking paparazzi?”

Giselle let out a deep breath, fixing her expression.

“I do. Mitchell is my photographer, actually.”

Eric smiled. “Well, it must be your lucky day, because they’re both in some heated discussion over there. Probably should go break it up before hands are thrown,” he said with a chuckle.

“Standing over there with the that sexy vet and the Weston Rhodes.”

Lane laughed as Grayson rolled his eyes.

“You know Weston Rhodes?” Lacey asked, surprised.

“Yeah, he’s my neighbor.”

The looks from the party were shocked.

“You live in Jasper Springs Estates?” Henry perked up.

“Yeah, been there since I was like, I don’t know, twenty-two.”

“What the hell are you? The next Paris Hilton?” Aaron said as Giselle headed over to talk to the boys.

“More like, if I told you I’d have to kill you,” Eric said with a wink.

“Ah, the pretty ones are always either gay or criminals, alas.” Lacey sighed.

“Or argumentive photographers,” Grayson mewled, as everyone else chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Henry asked.

Julie made a sour face as she pushed her Mai Tai toward Eric. “Ugh, this is way too sweet for me, please take this.”

Eric shrugged, taking a sip, puckering his lips. “Yeah, that’s tart,” he said.

“Mitchell is quite an opinionated man,” Grayson shrugged. “I don’t think there’s a soul in Jasper Springs he hasn’t pissed off.”

“Isn’t that, like, bad for a photographer? Don’t you want, like, a good reputation?” Henry asked curiously.

“I mean, we don’t actually know what happened. All we know is the gossip that gets spread, and in my experience, gossip is only like thirty percent true.” Eric chortled.

“True,” Julie agreed as we all watched Aaron and Lacey head over to where the boys were standing.

That was the moment the crowd roared with excitement as Jasper Springs’s favorite musician rolled into the bar.

“Nice of you to make it, Drew,” Julie said as she hugged Taylor and his rockstar beau.

“You know I wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world,” he teased. “Besides, I’m kinda digging this place,” he said, flashing a megawatt smile.

“It does have its charms,” Eric said as he raised his glass, and everyone else at the table agreed, raising theirs in response.

“I can’t believe we’re only one week away,” I whined. “Which reminds me...”

Eric looked up from his drink.

“Have you found suitable attire for the wedding yet?” I asked, knowing full well the man in question had a closet full of suits.

But I wasn’t asking about his daytime attire.

With Eric officially as my plus one—and with the title of boyfriend —I too had turned a corner.

While I might have been shy, quiet, and reserved in my day to day life out of preservation, even before I’d met the man, there was a sense of freedom that I was now able to explore parts of myself I’d hidden for far too long.

And with the freedom and support from my boyfriend, I was starting to feel comfortable with myself and my preferences in a way I’d never vocalized until now.

Because I’d never been comfortable with anyone, the way I was with Eric. He didn’t judge me for the literature I’d consumed, or the fantasies I held, and he certainly didn’t judge me when I wanted to shut the world out and have some drinks and play some games.

And I’d also learned, that my Daddy liked to give up control once in a while himself. Something that was as foreign to him as taking control was to me.

Both of us were learning how to explore the parts of ourselves we’d kept hidden, and there was a contentness in sharing that experience.

Being with Eric was the easiest thing I’d ever done. He fit into my life, into my heart like the glass slipper fit Cinderella.

“I think I’ve found some sufficient accessories, yes,” he replied, not missing a beat, smirking devilishly.

“I hope they aren’t too uncomfortable,” I said, heat filling my cheeks, as I knew what we were talking about was exclusive to us.

Eric twisted his hands together, his fingertips feathering over the skin of his wrists, where he still sported a little rope burn beneath his watch.

“Not at all,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “But you will have to wait until the wedding to see my full ensemble,” he said, his tone cocky and full of attitude, making my cock twitch once more.

“Some things are worth the wait,” I said coolly, brushing him off, knowing all the while it would drive him mad.

And as I sipped my beer, laughing with my friends, my arm around my boyfriend’s shoulders, I couldn’t help but think the best was yet to come.

Thank you for reading Eric and Riley’s story.

If you enjoyed this book, please return to your favorite retailer and leave a review. Even a few words could mean the world to an author.

Continue the series with Mitch ’s story, Book 6 in Jasper Springs!