♥︎ ✯ ☘︎︎

𝟐𝟑 ... 𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭

☘︎︎ ✯ ♥︎

callie 💋

The dark eyes staring at me are unblinking. I narrow my own, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"Babe, I could play this game all day," I whisper, keeping my gaze steady. "I am the queen of staring competitions."

The golden retriever blinks, seeming to grin at me before she licks my face. I wrinkle my nose at the slobber but can't help patting her head as I stand up. "Good girl."

"She likes you," the woman behind the desk at the animal shelter says, smiling fondly at the dog now sitting obediently at my feet. "She's such a sweetheart. I'm so glad you're taking her home."

"I think the people I'm taking her home to will be more excited than she is." I chuckle, looping Rosie's leash over my wrist and taking the pen the woman hands me to sign the paperwork. "We've already got a Bernese mountain dog, so Rosie has a sister waiting for her."

"That's wonderful," the woman says warmly as she collects the papers. "Well, she's officially yours. Thank you so much for saving her."

I glance down at Rosie. She's still looking up at me like I hung the moon, her tail thumping against the floor. No one's ever looked at me like that before. I've always considered myself a cat person, but this dog is already doing a number on my heart.

"It's my pleasure."

The sun is shining when Rosie and I step out of the shelter. She barks excitedly, yanking me toward a patch of grass where she promptly rolls over with glee. My laugh rings out, clear in the breeze, and Rosie perks up at the sound.

Once satisfied, she eagerly returns to my side, waiting for direction. I guide her toward my car at the edge of the lot, where Matt sits in the passenger seat, blindfolded and pouting.

When I open the door, Rosie sits obediently beside me. "Okay, Matt. You ready?"

"No, I'm not ready," he snaps, exasperated. "I think I'd like to sit here alone with a blindfold on for another ten minutes."

Rosie barks, tail wagging furiously. Matt freezes, then yanks the blindfold off. His eyes land on Rosie, and his jaw drops.

"No fucking way," he breathes, scrambling out of the car. "Callie. You got a dog?!"

"This is Rosie," I announce proudly, my smile wide as Matt kneels to greet her. "She's two years old and a rescue. She's coming home with us."

"I can't believe this!" Matt's face lights up as Rosie covers him in enthusiastic licks. "This is a joke, right?"

I roll my eyes in amusement. "No, Matt, it's not a joke."

He stands and pulls me into a hug so tight it knocks the air out of me. "But we lost the bet! I was only supposed to get a dog if we won."

"Oh, Chris and Nick have no idea I'm doing this," I say dismissively, hugging Matt back before I crouch down to pet Rosie. "Madi and Nate are the only ones who know."

Matt shakes his head, awestruck. "I seriously think I love you."

My heart skips, but I scoff. "Sweetie, we've been dating for two days. Try that line over an expensive dinner—or a cabin getaway."

Matt laughs, his teeth flashing. "I'll keep that in mind." Without warning, he scoops me up, spinning me around.

I yelp, clutching his shoulders. Rosie barks, jumping up to join the fun.

"What was that for?" My voice is breathy as he sets me down, and I quickly push my hair out of my face.

"Nothing," Matt says, grinning. "I just really like you."

I roll my eyes, shoving his shoulder, but the blush creeping up my neck betrays me. "You're stupid."

Matt raises an eyebrow expectantly.

"And," I sigh dramatically, "I really like you too."

"Good." He kisses me quickly before heading to the driver's seat. "Ready to go?"

"Rosie?" I grin at the dog, laughing as she barks in agreement. "Let's go."

The drive to the beach is full of chaos. Rosie insists on sitting on my lap, and Matt rolls the windows down so she can stick her head out. Her sheer joy makes my chest ache in a way I don't know how to describe. At one point, my eyes sting, and I duck behind Rosie to hide from Matt's view. No way am I getting caught crying over a dog.

When we reach the beach, the party is in full swing. Bryn's protests about keeping things small were clearly ignored.

Picnic blankets scatter the sand, and Bryn's friends from her job at the coffee shop are chatting while they munch on the assorted snacks. Nate and Chris' friend Sam are playing a game of beach volleyball with the girls from the hockey team Bryn joined at the end of the summer. Nick, Madi, and Madison, a new friend of ours, are watching with amused expressions. Naturally, Bryn and Chris are splashing around in the shallow water of the ocean, playing with Luna and Madison's dog Presley.

Matt sticks his fingers in his mouth to whistle loudly, the noise cutting through the music. Heads turn, but only the dogs react. Luna and Presley sprint toward us, kicking up sand. Rosie barks excitedly, and as soon as I unclip her leash, she's off like a shot.

"Who's dog is that?" Bryn calls, jogging over with Chris. Nick trails behind, frowning like he's piecing it together.

"Yours," I say, grinning. "Happy birthday."

Bryn freezes for half a second before her face erupts in a wide grin. "Callie!" she shrieks, throwing her arms around me despite being soaking wet. "We were going to get you a cat next!"

I shrug, chuckling at my excitable best friend. "Rosie's growing on me."

"Rosie!" Bryn coos, crouching down to greet the excited dog. Both Rosie and Luna plough into her, knocking her onto her back to lick her face. But Bryn just laughs, happy as always to be surrounded by dogs.

"I cannot believe you did this without telling anyone." Nick shakes his head at me in bewilderment, but he doesn't give me a look for long before he crouches to greet Rosie.

"Y'all lost the bet, this is crazy. We did not need another dog," Chris chimes in, but he also looks perfectly content to plop down in the sand and give Rosie a big kiss.

Matt's arm settles over my shoulders and I lean into his side as we watch his brothers and my best friend welcome Rosie to our family.

"I think we won the bet." Matt's voice is low, quiet enough for my ears only.

I glance up at him, my brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

"I got you, didn't I?" Matt grins cheekily, laughing when I elbow him in the ribs.

"You're so corny," I mutter, but I pop up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I think we won too."

"Rosie!" Madi calls as she jogs towards us, Nate close on her tail.

"I knew about her!" Nate yells, triumph taking over his face. "And none of you did!"

"Nate, I knew about her too, you moron." Madi rolls her eyes as she scratches both dog's heads in greeting.

Nate makes a face at Madi before he drops his hands onto Chris' shoulders. "Come play volleyball, Sam and I are getting cooked."

"Yeah, 'cause you both suck ass," Chris scoffs, but he hops up. "I'm better than both of you combined."

"I think I'm better than all three of you combined," Nick jokes as he stands up. "Madi, let's continue making fun of them."

Madi obliges, falling into step beside Nick as they follow Nate and Chris back to the makeshift volleyball court.

"I'm going to play too." Matt kisses the side of my head before jogging after them, leaving me alone with Bryn, Luna, Rosie, and Presley.

I plop down into the sand beside Bryn, and Rosie immediately hops towards me to lick my face.

"She likes you!" Bryn exclaims delightedly. "Imagine that!"

I shoot Bryn a dry look before kissing the top of Rosie's head. "We're going to be best friends, aren't we Rosie?"

Rosie woofs in agreement and gives me one more sloppy kiss before pouncing back towards Luna and Presley.

"I'm really happy right now," Bryn says softly as she watches the dogs wrestle. The sun is beginning to set, casting a golden glow over her and lighting up the water droplets coating her skin. "All my best friends at the beach with dogs. It's my dream come true."

I smile softly and bump Bryn's knee with my own. "I'm glad you're happy. You deserve it."

"Chris hinted that he might propose soon," she blurts out, her cheeks turning pink.

I laugh at Bryn's awkwardness, my smile blooming wide. "Not surprising. He's head over heels for you."

"You know, if you marry Matt, we'll be sisters-in-law." Bryn grins cheekily, laughing loudly when I scowl.

"What is it with everyone?" I exclaim, dropping my head into my hands to hide my blush. "We've been together for two minutes!"

Bryn laughs as she leans into my side, her smile bright. "I think he's happy to take it slow. But seriously, Callie—you're different now. Happier."

"Thanks, Brynnie," I whisper, not resisting when Bryn links her hand through mine. "I'm happy for you too."

Bryn's idea of a perfect day is being surrounded by her favourite people and dogs in her favourite place. She likes excitement and laughter, and I enjoy those things too. But it's sitting with my best friend as we watch the sunset that makes my day perfect. Not that I have a new boyfriend nearby, or even my new dog who is now charging into the water in front of me. But it's the friend next to me who has been with me through thick and thin that makes everything perfect. She has proved she loves me the way I am, and that she won't let me down. And that means more than anything else.

instagram

christophersturniolo posted...

christophersturniolo Bryn's 10th birthday vs. her 20th. Ten years later, and you're still my best friend. Happy birthday, B. Here's to celebrating this one and every one after it. Love you endlessly

tagged: @brynlee.williams 

comments

user BIRTHDAY POST BIRTHDAY POST

samsmcgrath Rocking the hat since day 1

nicolassturniolo The glow-up hit Bryn hard. Can't say the same for Chris
⇨ christophersturniolo You've gotten uglier since we were kids so you shouldn't be talking
⇨ nicolassturniolo At least I'm hotter than your troll-looking ass 💀

user so this is the cutest thing i've ever seen and i will never recover

callielaughty bryn just got cuter over the years. chris still looks like a gremlin
⇨ christophersturniolo Says the queen of the gremlins
⇨ callielaughty 🖕🏼

callielaughty chris i think you're stinky and gross, but i'm glad you make my best friend laugh
⇨ christophersturniolo who knew you could be so nice?!
⇨ callielaughty 🖕🏼

matthew.sturniolo Cute. But we all know that Bryn's really my best friend
⇨ brynlee.williams Dipper and Mabel conquer all

user you're telling me chris has been down bad for bryn since they were literal children???? i need a man like this 😭😭😭

nathandoe08 Cornyyyyyyyy
⇨ christophersturniolo 🌽

nathandoe08 But y'all are cute I guess. Can't wait for the even cornier 30th birthday post
⇨ christophersturniolo Gonna get fireworks for that one

brynlee.williams you are the love of my life
⇨ christophersturniolo ❤️❤️❤️

brynlee.williams here's to 10+ years of chaos 😋
christophersturniolo And to many more 😎

user somebody push me in front of a moving car pls

madifilipowicz so cute!!! happy birthday bryn 🩷

madisonbeer The sweetest couple 💖

user still waiting for a ring christopher 👀

brynlee.williams posted...

brynlee.williams best year of my life. can't wait for the next one 💛

tagged: @christophersturniolo

comments

ethanwilliams happy birthday to the best big sis

nathandoe08 Now accepting bets on how long before you two get engaged and move to the beach

user i'm in tears i love bryn so much

madifilipowicz my beach loving bestie 😍 happy birthday gorgeous

samsgrath Happy birthday Bryn!

user best year because you got a dog i assume!

laylamadden happy happy birthday to the bestest roommate! currently missing procrastinating with you during midterms 🥹

madisonbeer happy birthday beautiful girl ❤️

user petition to have another brynlee trivia video in honour of her birthday

user happy birthday bryn!!! you literally saved my life ilysm

nicolassturniolo Happy birthday future sister-in-law 💖

callielaughty so thankful for your friendship 💚 ilysm happy birthday

user birthday vlog pls i beg
⇨ user bryn just needs her own youtube account at this point i need more of her

matthew.sturniolo hopefully by next year we will have more dogs to celebrate with 🤞🏼

christophersturniolo Next years gonna be even wilder

christophersturniolo Thank you for making my dream come true
⇨ brynlee.williams careful kristoff, you're starting to sound like eugene
⇨ christophersturniolo Whatever makes you happy princess ;)
⇨ brynlee.williams you're gross
⇨ christophersturniolo You love it
⇨ brynlee.williams sigh (i do love it)

cara's obsession ❀

if you saw me accidentally post this the first time with no title no you didn't.

the fact that it's been a week since i updated is CRAZY. but i've literally been so busy since i finished exams it's actually wild. but you'll see me sooner than later for one more chapter and the epilogue because i want this book to be done before christmas

did anyone manage to get gracie tickets? because i didn't and i'm devastated. literally heartbroken

question of the day! regardless of what holiday you observe, what are you doing to celebrate this month? or if you don't observe any holidays, do you have any fun plans for the winter break? i'm not really sure what my christmas will look like because my grandma is in the hospital right now but she should be home by christmas so i'm praying she feels better soon! i also really really want to go skating but my ankle still isn't healed so it's probably not the best idea lollll

good luck to those of you finishing up exams and classes before winter break! see you soon 🧡

🍉 🍉 🍉