Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
This was bad.
So, so bad.
Wendy groaned, placing her forehead in her palm as she rested her elbows on the counter.
Forty-eight hours should have been enough time for her to forget what had transpired between her and Tripp. What more did she need? Seriously!
It wasn’t just the guilt she felt over how she treated him after she’d been the one to initiate the kiss.
She’d put him down. Made him feel useless.
Until she met Tripp, she would have never done something like that.
He managed to bring out the worst in her.
While that was bad enough in and of itself, it didn’t hold most of her attention.
There was another issue that made her hate herself even more.
She’d lost count of how many times she’d allowed herself to relive that kiss. The way his lips had felt against her. The way he’d clung to her. The way she’d held onto him like he was life itself.
Was this how Olivia felt when she’d been with him? Wendy couldn’t fault her best friend for falling for a guy who was bad news.
Falling for a guy.
Sheesh. She was weak. When had she become so weak?
The door to the shop opened and she forced a happy smile as a couple entered.
They looked young enough to be about her age and the way the girl looked at the guy said it all.
Infatuation. The attraction between the two of them hummed in the air.
It didn’t sizzle like what Wendy had felt for Tripp. It was sweeter. Softer.
And… boring.
Without thinking, she lifted her fingers to her lips. Two days and she could remember the taste of him, the sting of that kiss. It was delectable. And totally wrong.
She dropped her hand and turned toward her office. The door opened up to the shop so she’d be able to see if anyone needed anything. Right now, she just needed some space all her own to think.
That kiss had been one of the best kisses of her life.
And she hated it.
Tripp was a jerk. He cared for no one but himself.
Okay, that wasn’t fair. He cared about his family.
And that was sorta sweet in and of itself.
She could appreciate that. Clearly, he cared enough about Reese to be part of the wedding party even though he was stuck with her.
His family cared about him, too. And she knew some of them well enough to trust their judgment.
Heck, she knew how hard it could be to love a family member in spite of every bad decision.
Even though she despised the guy, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something she was missing.
One second, he was infuriatingly cocky, and she wanted nothing but to wipe the sure smile off his face.
Then the next he was sweet and romantic, reeling her in against her will and common sense.
But then he could flip it around with a snap of his fingers and be just so…
Wendy groaned again, rubbing circles at her temples.
She needed to keep her distance. That was the only solution to these strange thoughts that wouldn’t leave her alone.
Tonight there was another party. She’d lost track of which one it was.
Could be a get together. Could be the bachelorette party for all she knew.
Either way, she needed to come up with an excuse and fast. Because if she didn’t tell Serenity why she wasn’t going to be there, then the woman might actually show up on her doorstep and drag her there herself.
Sickness. That was the plan.
Wendy chewed on her thumb as she held her phone in her hand. This excuse meant she couldn’t just call Serenity when work finished. She had to make it look like she’d gotten sick from something she ate. This had to be sudden and bad.
A quick glance at the clock on the wall indicated she’d have to leave in the next five minutes or so if she wanted to get there on time. She wasn’t even dressed. Serenity would understand and Wendy would get the chance to have another quiet night at home.
With a heavy sigh, Wendy dialed Serenity’s number. She picked up on the first ring and without preamble, she said, “No, Wendy.”
Gaping, Wendy pulled the phone away to stare at the screen to make sure she didn’t video call her friend. “What do you mean, no?” she asked when she put the phone back to her ear.
“I mean you’re not getting out of this event. I know something is going on between you and Tripp and I don’t care. You’re not coming for him. You’re coming for me.”
“But I don’t feel good.”
“You sound fine to me.”
Shoot! Wendy had been so thrown off by the way this conversation was going that she hadn’t remembered to act as though she was seconds away from tossing the contents of her stomach.
“Migraines are no joke, Serenity. It’s been a long day and I don’t feel like going to a party with loud music and… stuff.”
“Stuff…” Serenity drawled. “You mean like Tripp?”
Wendy flushed. How much had Tripp told her? Did he tell everyone that they’d kissed? Was he spreading lies about their non-relationship? Why couldn’t she just be free of this man?
Because if he were to suddenly disappear, she knew deep in her soul that she’d be disappointed. That realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Their lives were intertwined whether she wanted to admit it or not. Whether she liked it or not.
“I’m not going,” Wendy attempted again. “You can’t make me.”
At that moment there was a knock at the door. Wendy frowned, moving toward it.
“I don’t want to make you, Wendy. But you and I both know that sometimes you need to just get out of your comfort zone. This wedding is helping you do that. You didn’t even know half the people in this town before you started coming to these events.”
“Half the people is practically the whole Reese family.”
Serenity laughed. “You’re probably right about that.”
Wendy reached the door and unlocked the deadbolt.
“I’m sorry, Serenity. But I really think it would be best if I—” Her words stalled in her chest as she came face to face with the devil himself.
The reason she didn’t want to attend the party tonight.
Her only reason for the guilt and frustration that wouldn’t disappear.
“You’re wrong,” Serenity said, far too much smugness in her voice.
“About what?” Wendy rasped, her eyes locking with Tripp. He had his arms braced on the door jambs and he was staring at her with that same evil mischief he wore when he was about to do something wicked.
“You’re wrong about two things. You do need to come. It’s important to me that you do. And you’re wrong that I can’t make you. Well, sort of. You’re not wrong that I can’t make you. But someone else can.”
Wendy scowled at Tripp and moved to shut the door in his face, but he stepped forward too quickly. Her indignant squeak had Serenity laughing on the other end of the line.
“Just let him bring you. Then you don’t have to speak to him again all night.”
Wendy was backing up, her phone gripped tight in her hand. “I’m never going to forgive you for this,” she muttered.
Tripp prowled toward her.
“Sorry, but he was the only one who was willing to go along with my plan to kidnap you.”
Her brows shot up. “Kidnap me? Seriously? What is wrong with you? If I don’t want to go to the—”
“That’s just it, though. You do want to go. I know you do. You’re just standing in your own way and I haven’t figured out why. So let Tripp bring you. And then Reese will take you home.” Serenity ended the call and Wendy gasped.
She pulled the phone away to see that the screen had darkened and she shook her head with disgust. “You guys are the worst.”
“If you’re lumping me in with Serenity, I can’t be all bad,” Tripp cooed.
Wendy held up her hand. “Not another step closer. I’ll scream. These walls are paper-thin. The sheriff—”
“Is a good friend of my family’s. I’m sure he’d love to chat over some tea or coffee.”
Her scowl deepened.
“Now, you run off to your room and get dressed for the party or I’ll be forced to do it for you.”
Wendy’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?” He took another step toward her, and she squealed as she ran down the hall.
This was so ridiculous.
Her heart hammered. Her chest squeezed. And yet a small thrill rippled through her body at the same time. With Tripp’s arrival, she hadn’t had a chance to dwell on her reasons for not going. It had been nice to forget for a few minutes.
With the door closed between them, she turned to the dress she had draped on her bed in a moment of weakness.
Serenity was right. She did want to go. She’d been enjoying herself—getting out of the house more lately.
What was one more night of torture when she could also find joy in the freedom of getting out?
Wendy emerged from her bedroom. It was quiet in her apartment, so quiet that she wasn’t sure if Tripp had left. Then she saw him, sitting on the couch with his forearms on his knees. He was staring into space. He could have turned on the television or gone snooping, but he hadn’t.
He was just sitting there.
And he looked utterly delicious. She hadn’t had a chance to really look at him when he’d arrived.
He was dressed in a black button-down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
The collar had two buttons undone and he’d paired his shirt with a nice pair of dark blue jeans.
His boots were black and he’d left his black Stetson on the couch at his side.
Ironic, that she’d chosen the same color for this event. She’d always liked how formal the dark color looked. While she did enjoy the occasional pastel color scheme in her clothing, black was what made her feel invincible and she needed that tonight.
Tripp must have sensed her because he swiveled his head around.
His eyes rounded slightly and he shot to his feet.
The way he took in her appearance felt more like he was sizing up his next meal.
The black sleeveless dress was made from a fabric that hugged her figure.
It clung to every inch of her, leaving nothing to the imagination.
There were bits of glitter throughout the material which paired well with the silver heels she’d chosen.
She’d clipped up one side of her wavy hair and let the other side hang free over her shoulder.
There hadn’t been much time to do her makeup, so she’d gone with a minimalist look.
Up until this second, she’d been happy with the outcome. She’d been confident that she could march out into her apartment with her head held high. Heck, she’d planned on putting Tripp in his place for daring come to her apartment the way he had.
But now?
All that confidence had fizzled under his scrutiny. One cross word would be all it would take for her to crumble.
Tripp could do that to her, she’d realized. Somehow, he’d gotten beneath her skin. Why did she care what he thought?
He took a step toward her, finally meeting her eyes. “You look…”
She moved past him as quickly as she could muster. “Come on. We’re already late.”
His hand shot out and he wrapped those long fingers around her upper arm. It wasn’t painful, but his hold on her was firm. “Wendy,” he whispered.
Wendy stared at him expectantly.
One side of his mouth quirked upward and for a solid minute, she forgot that he was Tripp Gilley and that she was Wendy Scott. They were just a boy and a girl getting ready to go to a dance.
“You’re making it incredibly hard not to want to throw you over my shoulder fireman style and whisk you away from here.”
Her eyes widened and a flutter exploded in her chest.
Tripp tugged her closer to him and used his free hand to trace a finger along her jaw.
“You look…” he sighed and shook his head.
“There’s nothing in this world quite like you.
” Then he released her, the phantom feeling of his touch searing into her skin.
She watched him stride toward the door, her breath still attempting to catch up. Then she followed after him.
In his truck, he remained quiet. It was kind of adorable the way he kept stealing glances at her. It really shouldn’t have pleased her as much as it did. He thrummed his fingers on the steering wheel and every so often she noticed him open his mouth only to snap it shut and shake his head.
She knew that look. He was arguing with himself. She’d done that plenty since the start of this whole mess. Wendy bit back a grin and turned her attention out the window. Soon enough, they’d be arriving at the party and she’d slip away from him.
This might be her only chance to apologize for what she’d said to him at the bridal shop. But what words would be enough to convince him that she’d only been trying to protect herself. He wouldn’t believe her anyway, but she had to try.
With what little courage she had left, she turned toward him only for the truck to come to a stop. Tripp didn’t waste any time in exiting the vehicle, leaving her alone with her thoughts.