Page 32 of Cooper’s Promise

“What are you talking about?” Brenna asked with a demure smile.

Tanya opened the up pastry box. “Inside is a Sweet Dream cinnamon roll. I am willing to give it up for details.”

Brenna eyed the box and tried not to drool. They’d never made it to McDonald’s because Cooper had followed her into the bathroom. But still, should she really confess all to her best friend?

“I saw Cooper drop you off this morning. So spill the beans.” Tanya opened the box. “Look, I had them add extra icing.”

“Fine, I’ll tell you,” Brenna said, as she grabbed the box. Tanya howled with laughter. Then the wench bent down and pulled out a second box from her oversized purse.

They were both quiet as they started to eat their sticky treats. Tanya had also pulled out individual bottles of ice cold chocolate milk.

“You know I’m going to get fat,” Brenna said.

“I’ve been trying to fatten you up since you moved to Florida. Still hasn’t happened. Now that you’re having sex with Cooper, you need to consume even more calories.”

Brenna felt her cheeks heat. Goddammit. Just how often could a woman blush in twenty-four hours? “Is it that obvious that we’re having sex?”

“Yep.” Tanya wiped off her fingers with a napkin. “And the receptionist wanted to scratch your eyes out.”

“You’re so full of shit. Renee is happily married.”

“Oh, yeah,” Tanya said with a sparkle in her eye. “I was the one who wanted to scratch your eyes out.”

Brenna shook her head at her friend’s teasing. Then she looked around the break room and made sure nobody was listening in. “Do you have a second to talk? I mean really talk?”

“Sure, honey, what is it?”

That’s what Brenna loved about Tanya; she could laugh and joke, but she knew how to be a solid friend when she was needed.

Brenna looked down at her pastry, then pushed it away. “Cooper has some real deep scars. I’m not going to go into details.”

“Of course you’re not.” Tanya put her hand over Brenna’s.

Brenna took a deep breath. “I’m not sure that he’s ever going to let me in. I’m not sure if this is going to ever work. At least not for the long term.”

They sat there for a few moments, neither of them saying a word. “You do realize that sometimes we have to raise these men, right?” Tanya asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that they get all messed up with penis logic, and it is up to us to untangle them. I’m sure he does have real scars. I’m not trying to minimize them, nor do I want to know what they are. But Brenna, I’ve known both of you for two years now. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Don’t let him screw himself out of happiness.”

Brenna looked down at the napkin that she had been tearing up into little pieces. “Penis logic, huh?”

“It is some fucked up shit.”

Brenna bit her lip and looked up at her friend. “I did help him to see that he shouldn’t keep me in the baby sister category.”

“See! I’m telling you, men need help figuring out emotions. That man wants and needs you. If he has a barrier, you need to help him over it, just like he’s helping you with stalker dude.”

Brenna looked at her friend in amazement. “I didn’t tell you about Cooper taking care of Josiah.”

“I know all and I see all.” Tanya said with a wide smile. “So when are you going to tell the Aussie that you’re not taking the job?”

“Shit.” Brenna pulled the box back towards herself, and opened it back up and took another bite of her cinnamon roll. “I’d forgotten all about that. How stupid am I?”

“That’s okay. The next time Thomas skypes, it’ll take care of itself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cooper will be putting an end to your job in Australia. He’ll have a ring on your finger so fast your head will spin.”

Brenna slowly chewed the cinnamon concoction. God, she hoped her friend was right.

“Brenna? Are you listening to me?”

“Yeah, I heard you,” she said softly.

“Trust Aunt Tanya.” She picked up her bottle of chocolate milk and hit it against Brenna’s. “And, you better have pretty bridesmaid’s dresses.”

Brenna finished the rest of her chocolate milk, thinking about what Tanya had said. Her friend was right. She needed to help Cooper with his issues, just as much as Cooper needed to help her with Josiah. Now she just had to figure out how to do it.