Page 62 of Rescuing Brinley

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.”

“Cypress—seriously.”

“Just that I thought he might’ve sent you a text at least, saying he had a good time last night or something. He seems like the kind of guy who gets super mushy. Even though he’s a badass super-soldier, he’s also kind of a cinnamon roll.”

“A cinnamon roll?”

“Yeah, you know, it’s a romance book thing. Where a guy is kind of rough and tough on the outside, but ooey-gooey sweet and kind on the inside.”

Brinley smirked. “He’s definitely that.”

“Right, so that’s why I thought Mr. Cinnamon might’ve sent you a message.”

Just when Brinley wondered if she was seeing what was happening between her and Dash through a starry-eyed virgin’s viewfinder, her phone vibrated with a text. Hoping it wasn’t Tamika contacting her from another new number, Brinley pulled out her cell and sighed in relief, seeing it was from Dash.

She smirked as she opened it, happy she could tell Cypress that Dash was everything she hoped he was, that he’d texted her. But then she read it…and gaped.

There was a link, along with a really long message. She started reading what Dash had written before clicking on the link and before she was halfway through, tears were spilling over her lashes and onto her cheeks.

“What? Who’s it from? Brinley? You’re freaking me out. Talk to me!” Cypress ordered.

But all Brinley could get out was, “Dash.”

“Is he breaking up with you? That asshole! All men are fucking dogs! We ride at dawn! We’ll make his life so miserable, he’ll beg his boss to let him change duty stations. How dare he make my bestie cry…Brin? What? Why are you shaking your head?”

“He’s…it’s…” Brinley couldn’t talk. She held out the phone to Cypress and let her read what Dash had sent for herself.

By the time she looked back at Brinley, her eyes were filled with tears. “Wow.”

Brinley nodded and took the phone back, rereading what Dash had written.

Dash: I woke up before you this morning and spent at least ten minutes staring at you, wondering how in the hell I got so lucky. I’m not creative. Not a poet. But this song immediately came to mind while I watched you sleeping. Watched you sleep in a totally non-creepy way. :)

And then he’d copied and pasted all the words to the One Direction song, “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Brin clicked on the link, and she and Cypress listened to the song without speaking.

When it was over, Cypress said softly, “Okay, I love him. Not love-love, but love him for you. You need someone who can see you for the amazing, beautiful person you are. I’ve been saying for years that you’re more than the skin you wear. About time you start to believe it.”

“I don’t know that I believe it, but it’s enough that he doesn’t seem to see me the way the rest of the world does.”

“As he shouldn’t. I’m glad you found him. But…just sayin’…if he fucks this up and hurts you, I’m still riding at dawn and making his life miserable.”

Brinley couldn’t help but smile. Cypress deserved to find a man who made her feel the same way Dash made Brinley feel. But her friend had a lot more emotional baggage to overcome, despite having come a long way already.

The man who eventually won her heart would find a fiercely devoted and loyal woman he could rely on, no matter what life threw their way. But getting past her extremely fortified walls wouldn’t be easy.

Cypress leaned over and hugged Brinley, then kissed her on the cheek before getting up. “In the mood for anything in particular for dinner tonight?”

“Pizza?”

“I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll order it now!”

Brinley smiled down at the words on her phone, then closed her eyes. She was happy. Truly happy for the first time in what seemed like forever. Her business was going well, she had a boyfriend, and she felt as if she was finally throwing off the cruel teasing and words she’d endured as a child and throughout her life.

It had taken thirty years, but she was finally moving the hell on.