Page 45 of Rescuing Brinley

“Should you get that?”

“No.”

“It could be an emergency.”

“It’s not. I mean, it’s not Cypress, and there isn’t really anyone else who would call me that would constitute an emergency. It’s fine, Dash.”

They continued with dinner, but her phone rang at least half a dozen more times. After they’d finished eating, Shadow couldn’t keep silent about his worries anymore.

“Who’s calling you, Brinley? What’s wrong?”

She sighed and stared down at her fingers, fiddling with a spoon next to her plate. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Look at me, hon.”

It took her a moment, but she did eventually raise her gaze to his.

“Talk to me. Let me in. Please?”

“It’s just a woman I met down in Fiji, at the pageant. She wanted to hire me, and I told her no. She didn’t like that answer, so she’s been calling me ever since, begging me to change my mind. Since I already told her I wouldn’t take her on, I’m not going to waste my time answering her calls. She’ll get the message eventually.”

“I don’t think she will, if the eight or so times she’s called tonight are any indication,” Shadow said doubtfully. “Who is it?”

“Her name is Tamika Black. She was one of the Canadian representatives.”

“The woman hanging around with your sister?”

“Yeah. That’s her. The brunette. Tall, leggy, and too damn skinny.”

“I’m guessing she got your number from your sister?”

“Probably.”

Shadow didn’t like this. Not at all. “Did she leave a message?”

Brinley shrugged.

“Can I see? Listen to it?”

“Why?”

“Because. Calling you eight times in an hour and a half span isn’t normal. It’s harassment, Brinley. And you don’t have to put up with it. You can tell her to knock it off or you’ll report her to the authorities. She can’t force you to work with her.”

The look in Brinley’s eyes was heartbreaking. But what she said next was even more so. “I don’t want to hear what she has to say. She’s not nice, Dash.”

“Then let me listen to whatever message or messages she’s left. I can even call her back and tell her to cease and desist immediately. Let me help you with this.”

“Why?”

“You know why. I already told you earlier tonight that there’s something between us. That I want to see you again. That you’re important to me. And if someone is harassing you, I’ll do whatever I can to make them stop.”

“I can just delete any messages. Block her.”

“It’s better to know what you’re dealing with than to ignore it, hon.”

She sighed. “Okay.”

“Okay, what?”