Page 43 of Winning Brynn

"Now?"

"Now, I think you're driven. Brave. Capable." She blinks in surprise, but I don't let her cut in. "I watch you with Salem, and you're so natural with her. Nurturing, like a mother. Attentive, caring, and kind. It’s as if you love her like she's your own. And the other day, when you dropped everything to go and comfort a little girl in the group home who needed you? If that isn't the furthest thing from selfishness, then I don't know what is."

I shake my head, not realizing how much I mean what I'm saying until the words are actually leaving my lips. "And with your career, sure, I don't totally understand it, but I know you've worked really fucking hard to get where you are. I know you're good at what you do, and I know many young girls look up to you, not just because they want to look like you, but because they admire who you are…at your core," I say, almost breathless now, "and in your heart."

"That was..." Her voice cracks, the briefest glimpse of a tear appearing in the corner of her eye. "That was really nice."

I mean, it was more than nice, but sure.

"You're welcome." I nod, even though she didn't actually thank me. It's a good thing I didn't add "grateful" to my exhausting soliloquy of compliments.

"I'm gonna go back to bed now," she says but doesn't move from her position.

"Okay."

"Okay," she repeats. Still doesn't move.

Several more beats of silence pass, and I begin to wonder if she's waiting for me to say something, but then she shuffles herself out of the bed and pads to the door connecting our rooms.

"Goodnight," she says around a soft smile.

"Goodnight, Brynn." And I've got the same stupid look on my face, but for some reason, I don't give a shit.

"Oh, and Leo?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Text thread between Brynn and Isabella

Brynn:Ugh. Tell me the weather is better over there than it is here.

Isabella:Clear skies, baby.

Brynn:I'm jealous AF.

Isabella:Get your ass on a flight and come over here, then.

Brynn:Can't.

Brynn:Nanny thing, remember?

Isabella:Oh yeah. How's that going?

Isabella:Your boss still being a dick?

Brynn:Nah. Not so much anymore.

Brynn:He's actually being...nice.

Isabella:LOL.You say that like you don't know how to handle it.

Brynn:Dude, I don't.

Brynn:Our dynamic is much easier to navigate when we're being mean to each other.

Isabella:You're fucked up.

---