The Brightest Light of Sunshine (The Brightest Light, #1)

by Lisina Coney

“No worries, sunshine.” Funny choice for a nickname, because my head feels like a raging thunderstorm right now.

I have no clue why I’m making conversation with this guy right now. Or why I don’t feel like running away or throwing up, for that matter. There’s something about Callaghan that puts me at ease, as if my brain somehow knows he’s not a threat. Which makes no sense because I don’t know him. He’s bigger, older, and I should probably be intimidated by his mere presence—but I’m not. Not anymore.

‘Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.’”

“All beautiful things in life need the sun to bloom and thrive. We might not know each other very well yet, but I have no doubt you’re the brightest light of sunshine, Grace.”

Grace is all I can think about lately.

I have the feeling that everything related to Grace Allen will be worth the wait.

Grace’s lips curve into a small, sincere smile that I wish I could capture forever. I wish I could capture so many things about her forever.

I shouldn’t be focusing on my non-feelings for Cal. And yet it’s the only thing I do for the rest of the day.

“Sammy is making nuggets. How many do you want?” Cal chuckles and pushes the door open for me. “She isn’t even inside yet, princess. Calm down.” Princess. He calls her princess. Oh, god.

I’m more than a victim. I’m a survivor. I’m a whole woman. I’m not broken even if smaller parts of me might be. I’m a fighter, and I will rebuild myself no matter how long it takes or how uncomfortable it makes me feel. When a vase shatters and you try to put the broken pieces back together, they never fit again. Not perfectly. Not in the way they used to. There may be cracks in the new vase, but it’s thanks to those fissures that sunlight filters through. Life thrives under its glow, grows through the cracks, and blooms anew. I guess that makes me a broken vase, but I couldn’t be prouder of it.

He sits on the couch next to me, and when he wraps an arm around my shoulders and I lean into the comforting warmth of his body, I realize two things. One—the tattoo shop is eerily cozy at night. And two—I trust Cal with my mind, my body, my heart, my secrets. And it scares the hell out of me.

Being with you feels right. Yes, it fucking does.

“No matter what, I’m here.” “And I’m here for you, Cal.” “I know.” My thumbs wipe the remaining of her tears, and her lips curve into a small smile that steals my breath and my sanity. “There you go. There’s my Gracie.” Her smile only widens, and I can’t help but mimic it. “And there’s my Sammy,” she whispers. That’s right. Forever and always, whatever life throws at us, we are here. Together.

“Cal, I’m not buying all those books.” “I know. I’m buying them.”

Mine. She’s mine. And I’ll be dead before I’m anyone else’s.

If I could hold onto him forever like a clingy koala, I would.

I have no issues with Amber hooking up with Trey. I think they’d look quite cute together, actually. Cal, on the other hand… Over my dead body. He’s mine.

Mine to cherish. Mine to take care of. Mine to love.

I want Grace in my life, for however long she’ll have me, as my best friend but also as everything else. As my confidant, as my partner in crime, as my lover. As the sunshine to my stormy heart.

“Do you want to be with me?” she whispers into the darkness, her hand falling from my cheek to rest over my heart, which beats only for her. “Yes.” There’s no hesitation in my voice. “A million times yes, Grace. I want you in my life as my friend, my girlfriend, my everything. If you’ll have me.” She smiles. “I can’t believe you have to ask.”

Being with her feels so right, I can’t even remember how I managed to live without my sunshine. And I hope I never find out again.

I realize two things. One—I will never get enough of the filthy, dominant, dirty-mouthed side of Cal. He’s like all my book and real-life fantasies come to life. And two—at this rate, if he keeps taking such good care of me, it’s going to be impossible to avoid the fall. Because I am, dramatically and helplessly, falling in love with my best friend.

Grace presses a loud kiss on my recently shaved cheek. “Do you mind if I read for a bit?” “Not at all.” I grin as she reaches for the e-reader on her night table. Yes—one of my bedside tables is now hers. “I wonder who made you such a thoughtful gift…” A playful smack lands on my arm, and I throw my head back in laughter. For Christmas, I got her an electronic reader with a subscription for endless free books every month, and she’s been over the moon ever since. I know she loves her paperbacks and she’ll keep buying them, but this will also save her a shit ton of money and space as well as introduce her to indie authors she wouldn’t otherwise see at the store. She’s pretty much ditched me for the gadget, but I don’t hold grudges. Making my girl happy is what makes me happy, and knowing that I put that little smile on her face when she discovers a new book makes me realize how in love I really am with her.

Every time I think I couldn’t possibly love her more, I fall a little deeper.

He swallows, I swallow, my words hanging between us until he speaks again and my world shifts. “Marry me.” Boom. Was that another firework, or my heart? My whole body starts shaking, and it’s not from the cold. “W-What? Now?” His gentle hand cradles my face and I lean into his touch, seeking its comfort. “Now, next year, in five years… Whenever you wish, sunshine. Whether you want a big wedding or just the two of us, I don’t care. All I need is to know that one day you’ll be my wife and I’ll be your husband, because I can’t stomach the thought of a life without you, Grace. I want it all with you, everything, and I will wait an eternity for you if that’s what it takes to get our happy ending.”

You’re my safe haven, sunshine.”

She’s it for me. My present, my future, my everything.

No matter how many obstacles were thrown my way, no matter how many times I felt I would never be enough, no matter where life planted me… I bloomed with grace.