Page 40 of Rescuing Brinley

For some reason, Brinley found herself blushing. “Yeah, I guess.”

“I’ll remember that. So, next Friday?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Great. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about with Cypress. She’s…something.”

Brinley wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad thing, and she got a funny feeling in her belly. If Dash and Cypress didn’t get along, things between them would never work out. Because Cypress was the most important person in her life, and if it came down to choosing between her best friend or a guy, Cypress would win hands down every time.

His next words made her relax though.

“We talked a little while waiting for you. She’s your biggest supporter. Very protective. Which is awesome. We all need someone like that in our corner.”

“Do you have that?”

“Absolutely. I’ve got six best friends exactly like her. My teammates.”

“Good.”

Dash stared at her for a long moment, then slowly leaned forward.

Brinley lifted her chin, letting him know without words that she welcomed his kiss.

It was short and sweet, but no less impactful than the deeper, almost desperate kiss they’d shared back in Fiji.

“I won’t have a lot of time during the day to text, but I’ll be in touch when I can. Okay?”

“All right. Be safe. I realize you know what you’re doing and you’re the teacher, but you can’t predict where the bears and moose will be.”

“I know, and that’s definitely part of the training. For everyone to be on alert for wildlife and how to handle encounters. Because it’s not a matter of if, but when.”

She nodded. Then they just stood there for a long moment, lips almost touching, his hand on her back, Brinley grasping his arms, neither seeming to want to step back. But finally he made the first move, grabbing the handle of the suitcase he’d been pulling and reaching for the back hatch of Cypress’s SUV.

After he’d stashed her bags inside and pushed the button to close the hatch, he said, “Drive safe.”

“You too.”

“Definitely. I have a date I really want to make next week.”

She gave him another one of her dorky little waves, not sure what else to do, and got a sexy chin lift in return. Brinley then walked to the passenger door and got in.

“Giiiiiirl,” Cypress drawled, as soon as the door shut behind her. “We have a lot to talk about.”

Brinley smiled. Yes, yes they did. And for once, it wasn’t just cloth, sequins, and how much she hated glitter. When she looked out the window as Cypress was pulling out of the parking space, she saw Dash standing nearby, his hands in his pockets, watching the car back up.

It felt…nice to have him watching over her. She waved at him once more, and he lifted one of his own hands to return the farewell.

“Tell me he asked you out,” Cypress demanded.

“He asked me out,” Brinley said obediently.

Her best friend let out a whoop of joy that had Brinley blushing.

“I’m so glad you’re home. I’ve been worried sick about you, but I guess I didn’t need to be, since you had a hot bodyguard to keep you safe. But for the record, I’m withholding judgement on him until I know for sure that he’s good to you.”

Brinley wasn’t offended. She’d do the same for her friend.

“Start at the beginning. I want to hear everything about your trip. How your clients did, what nasty things your birth vessel and sister most certainly said to you, how you ended up flying a plane full of kidnapped and drugged women out of harm’s way, and especially how you got to know Mr. Hunk back there. Oh, and did you get to meet Ayla Roling? Is she as nice as she seems on the news?”