Page 48 of Rescuing Brinley

“Just a text this morning. He’s been out in the field all day. But we’re still on for tonight. You are coming, right?”

“Are you sure you want me there? I mean, you and Dash have only been seeing each other for about a month, I’m not sure you need me tagging along just yet.”

“Of course I want you there! Why wouldn’t I? And you aren’t ‘tagging along,’ you’re going to hang out with your best friend. Besides, you know I don’t love bars.”

“I’ve heard The Staggering Moose is more like hanging out in someone’s basement than an actual bar.”

“Not sure that makes me feel any better.”

“Brinley, all his friends will be there, you’ll be fine. And things with you and Dash are still going well, right? He’s not being a jerk about anything? Not pressuring you for…you know.”

Brinley knew exactly what Cypress was asking. “No, not at all. He’s been awesome. I think…I mean, I wish…”

“Spit it out, Brin. This is me. You can talk to me about anything.”

“It’s just, when he kisses me, it makes me feel normal.”

“Girl, you are normal.”

Brinley was frustrated. She wasn’t explaining this very well, but she did her best to make her friend understand. “All my life, I’ve been the girl who has watched people’s relationships from the sidelines. I’ve read romance books and never really understood what the characters were feeling because I’ve never had the same experiences. But with Dash…I get it. I understand how a woman could give up everything she’s worked for and decide to move across the country to be with a guy. I understand the butterflies she has in her belly when she kisses the hero, and for the first time in my life, I feel as if a man is with me because he wants me, not because he’s using me to get to you or for some other bullshit reason—no offense.”

“None taken,” Cypress said immediately.

There had been instances in the past where men had pretended to like Brinley, just to get closer to her roommate, who they really wanted to ask out…or have sex with. Cypress had shot down every last one—fast.

“However,” her friend continued, “I also don’t want you to feel as if this is your one and only chance at finding love. I mean, if you love Dash, great. But your feelings shouldn’t be based on the fact that he’s the first guy who truly understands how awesome you are.”

“I know, and they’re not. He’s… I’ve never felt this way about a guy before.” Her voice lowered to an almost whisper. “He makes me feel pretty.”

“You are pretty,” Cypress argued.

“You and I both know you’re biased. But thank you. What I’m trying to say is that I actually want him to move faster than he is. And I have no idea how to make that happen. He’s been nothing but a gentleman, and when we kiss, it’s amazing. But he always stops way before I’m ready. How do I let him know that I’m okay with what we’re doing? That I want more?”

“Have you tried coming out and just telling him?” Cypress asked dryly. “He’s not a mind reader, Brin. And he’s probably trying to go slow because you’re inexperienced. You said you’ve already admitted that to him, and since he’s considerate, he’s not going to rush you into anything you aren’t ready for.”

“But I am ready!” Brinley said firmly.

“Then tell him! Look, you aren’t fifteen anymore. You’re a grown-ass adult. You’re on birth control, so you’re covered there, although you should still make him wear a condom because that’s the responsible thing to do. Weren’t you bitching the other day about a romance you were reading where the entire drama was a result of lack of communication? That if the characters just had a damn conversation in chapter two, the book would’ve been over and done, except they kept secrets from each other that caused a huge blowup and needless drama?”

“Yeah, but⁠—”

“No buts, woman! You want more, you tell him. Better yet, show him. Grab his ass when you kiss him. Put your hand up his shirt, whisper in his ear that you want him. I promise, he won’t be able to resist.”

Her words were a touch bitter…which wasn’t surprising, considering Cypress’s background, and that made Brinley’s heart hurt a little. She and her friend were complete opposites when it came to their sexual experience—and not necessarily because Cypress wanted to sleep with the number of men she’d been with. More because she was running from her past, trying to prove that she wasn’t broken. Which, of course, she kind of was.

But she was also much better now, had worked hard to move on from all that had happened to her. And Brinley couldn’t be prouder of the woman she was today.

“What if he says no?”

“Then you continue the conversation and ask him what’s holding him back. It’s possible he’s intimidated by you.”

Brinley laughed. “Whatever.”

“I mean it. Being with someone who’s never slept with anyone can be a lot of pressure for a guy…that is, if they’re a good person. Which I believe Dash is. It can hurt for a woman’s first time, and he seems like the kind of man who would hate to cause you any kind of pain. Bottom line, Brin, is that if you want a future with Dash, if you want to have a long-term kind of thing with him, you’re going to have to open up. Talk to him.”

“I’m scared.”

“Of him?”