Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Wedding day jitters weren’t just for the bride.
Wendy could attest to that, and she wasn’t even required to do more than smile for the camera and walk down the aisle escorted by the most handsome, most charming, most infuriating man she’d ever met.
Two days of not seeing him, not speaking to him, but remembering every last lingering look, every soft caress, and every softly spoken word of that night stuck with her.
After that kiss, he’d taken her home. He’d walked her to her door. Then he’d looked at her like he’d wanted to say something more. But then he told her goodnight and reminded her to lock her door.
And he’d left.
All the hatred she’d harbored for him was suddenly unreachable. Their little truce had broken her resolve. She didn’t know exactly how it had happened, but she was slowly realizing that she actually liked him. Maybe not enough to date him.
Okay, definitely not enough to date him, because she wasn’t stupid enough to put herself in that position.
But maybe enough to be friends. He’d shown a depth to himself.
The way he listened. The way he noticed the little parts of her she thought were broken.
The way he looked at her like she was breath itself.
But that was part of the game, wasn’t it? Tripp knew how to woo a girl into submission. He’d been doing it for years. He’d know how to make a girl feel special and she’d fallen for his tricks.
Unless they weren’t tricks.
“Earth to Wendy.”
Her head snapped up and she met Hallie’s concerned eyes.
“Where did you go?”
Wendy laughed it off. “Nowhere. I’m good.”
Hallie cocked her head, her hands on her hips.
They were all in a large bedroom in the main house.
Wendy didn’t know who it belonged to. For today, it was for the bridal party.
Serenity was seated in front of a mirror having her hair and makeup done.
The other girls were chatting with each other.
They were all close but then why wouldn’t they be?
They were all part of this family. Wendy was the odd one out.
Forcing her smile to appear more natural, Wendy changed the subject.
“You look amazing. I should have done something like that with my hair.” She lifted a hand to the gentle curls she had draped over her shoulder.
An updo might have been a better fit for the actual wedding.
She didn’t feel nearly as formal as she thought she should have been.
“Your hair looks great. I’m sure you’ll be turning more than one head.” She winked. “Or are you wanting to turn just the one?”
Wendy attempted to ignore Hallie. Ever since she’d disappeared from the party two nights ago, Hallie and Serenity had been blowing up her phone asking if the reason Tripp was missing was because they were together. She’d never tell them the truth. After today none of it would matter anyway.
“I’m just glad today is the last day we’ll be forced to be in each other’s company.”
Hallie smirked. “Sure you are.”
This right here was why Wendy needed to keep everything a secret.
If Hallie learned about the kiss, Wendy wouldn’t have heard the end of it.
This was Serenity’s big day. She was supposed to be in the spotlight and there was nothing Wendy would do to take that away from her.
“Enough about me. What’s the plan for decorating Reese’s truck? Who’s got the paint and the cans?”
Hallie plopped down on a chair beside Wendy. “Jake has the cans. I’ve got the paint.”
Wendy nudged Hallie, bumping her shoulder against her friend. “You and Jacob, huh? Still the same old story or is something finally sticking?”
“Nope. None of that. If you’re not willing to talk about Tripp, then I’m not talking about Jake.”
Huffing, Wendy folded her arms. “How is that fair? We all know there’s something between you two.”
“Just like we can all tell there’s something between you and Tripp.”
“Yeah,” Wendy snorted. “Hatred.”
Hallie shook her head. “If only hatred could look at me like that.”
Goosebumps rose on Wendy’s arms at Hallie’s words. There was no point in reminding Hallie that Tripp treated all the girls in his life the same. He looked at them all the same. She wasn’t anything special.
Even if she wanted to be.
And did she?
No.
Most certainly not.
His warm breath tickled the back of her neck where it had been laid bare after she pulled her hair over her shoulder. His quiet words sent shivers skittering down her spine. “You look exquisite, sweetness.”
Wendy’s breath stalled in her chest but she forced herself to exude a calmness she didn’t feel. “How would you know? You’ve only seen my backside.”
He chuckled and she smiled to herself before she turned slightly.
Tripp looked so mouth-watering good in his suit. It fit him like a glove. Even with it on, she could see his muscular frame and all she could think about was what it would feel like if he were to drag her to someplace quiet and ravish her.
Heat unfurled beneath her skin, starting in her chest and rising until it flooded her face. She looked away, knowing full-well that the evidence of her wayward thoughts couldn’t be ignored.
“Careful, sweetness, I might think you have a crush on me.” Tripp’s rumbling voice did nothing to improve her situation.
All she could do was turn her attention forward.
Ignore him. Ignore the way he’d made her feel when they’d been alone in the dark with only the stars and the moon to witness the biggest mistake of her life.
It was an outdoor wedding and Reese’s family had spared no expense.
Flower garlands were draped over every surface possible.
White chairs were lined in the yard, connected by sheer white fabric and more flowers.
The gazebo was still decorated with lights and roses.
Reese would be waiting there with the pastor.
All they were waiting for was the music to start playing.
Tripp held out his elbow and she stared at it like it was a snake in the brush.
“Come on, I don’t bite,” he murmured. Why was he being so nice?
Was it because he realized there was nowhere else for them to go from here?
Or was this an extension of the truce they’d formed the other night?
It was the big day. Serenity and Reese deserved to have a beautiful wedding without anyone antagonizing the other.
With a trembling hand, Wendy wrapped her fingers through the crook of his arm. The music started shortly after, and all the couples marched down the aisle.
The ceremony was beautiful. Perfection, really.
Every so often, Wendy caught Tripp’s eye and they shared a small smile.
Once the bride and groom were announced as husband and wife, cheers filled the air.
Following the ceremony, pictures were taken then the guests were all ushered toward a barn that had been decorated for a reception.
Evening brought with it cooler temperatures which were absolutely necessary with all the dancing and celebrating going on. But it was still a little too much. Wendy chose a small, almost secluded table toward the back of the barn. It was the perfect place to put up her feet and stay out of the way.
“I didn’t see you out there to catch the bouquet.”
Wendy nearly groaned at the sound of his voice.
It would have been half-hearted anyway. “And I didn’t see you out there to catch the garter.
” She craned her neck up and around to find Tripp staring down at her, a strange expression marring his handsome features.
When he noticed her staring, he blinked and thrust a glass toward her.
“I brought you some sweet tea.”
She bit back a smile. “Thank you. I didn’t know they were serving it for the wedding.”
“They weren’t.”
Wendy paused with the glass at her lips.
“I made a small batch this morning.” He wasn’t meeting her eyes. Instead, he was staring out at the guests who were enjoying themselves. She would have thought Tripp would be out there mingling with them, finding a girl he could snare.
Why was he here, with her?
Wendy took a sip and shrugged off the question. It didn’t matter anyway. She could tolerate his company well enough now.
Fine, that wasn’t really honest. She enjoyed his company and a small part of her was thrilled that he’d sought her out. Stupid as it was, she had gotten a little attached to him.
What would Olivia think?
She grimaced. Olivia might not mind that Wendy had started spending time with Tripp, but those kisses? She’d definitely have something to say about that. And Tripp was one of the reasons she hadn’t talked to Olivia in a while.
Tripp put his glass on the table and hunched over. He’d taken off his suit jacket and rolled his sleeves to his forearms. Right now, he was resting said forearms on his knees. He could even make looking slightly disheveled delectable.
Wendy did groan then. She couldn’t help it. Her thoughts had gone rogue and there was nothing she could do about it.
“Do you think we could ever be something more?”
Something hard slammed into her chest at his question and she sputtered on her drink, coughing as she attempted not to inhale more of it. Tripp wasn’t even looking at her. It was like he was too scared to do so. Or maybe he didn’t want her to read the teasing he most certainly was trying to hide.
“What?” she finally asked.
This time he sat straighter, turned his chair to face her, then peered at her without a drop of mischief. “Will you dance with me?”
She blinked rapidly. That was not what he’d asked her.
This was a game. It had to be. Before she could decline and demand to know why he’d asked his first question, he stood and held out his hand.
Her brain wasn’t computing at the moment, and he must have noticed because he simply took her hand and tugged her to her feet.
Barefoot, he all but dragged her to the dance floor.
“Tripp—” she protested but was cut off when his hand came firmly around her back and he pulled her close. He held her right hand in his against his chest and they swayed. This felt far more intimate than the last time they’d danced.
Her heart hammered in her chest, thudding frantically as she attempted to make sense of what was happening. Tripp leaned in closer, his nose tracing the hollow of her neck. She closed her eyes if only to focus on her breathing.
“Tripp,” she whispered, “what are you—”
“You feel this, right?”
“What?” she rasped.
He inhaled deeply then pulled back to stare into her eyes. “This could work. You and me. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and—”
She blinked several more times, clarity finally pushing through the clouds of desire that had settled around her. “Tripp… no.”
He frowned at her but he didn’t release her.
Wendy attempted to tug her hand free without garnering any attention from those closest to them.
When he finally allowed it, she shook her head.
“No, Tripp. This… what you’re saying… you don’t know.
” Her head was swimming with the reality of what was happening.
Olivia. The way he’d left a trail of broken hearts in his wake.
He wasn’t the kind of guy she needed in her life no matter the strange feelings he managed to stir within her.
Without uttering another word, she spun away from him. Weaving through the crowd, she made her way toward the exit. She couldn’t stay here. She couldn’t risk Tripp cornering her and trying to convince her that they were… what? Destined for each other? The concept was utterly laughable.
She made it out to her car mere seconds before Tripp was at her side. When she opened the door, his hand came down on it and forcibly shut it. Wendy whirled around and gaped at him. “Tripp—” she started, breathless.
“Why?” he demanded, not an ounce of gentleness in his voice. His hair looked like he’d ran his hands through it or he’d gone through a windstorm. It was adorably mussed and only his voice dragged her attention from it. “Tell me why, Wendy.”
Wincing at his tone, she met his fiery gaze. “We’re not good for each other, Tripp.”
He laughed, but it was more bitter than joyous. “What makes you say that? We haven’t even tried.”
“Really? If you have to ask then you’re more clueless than I gave you credit for.”
His eyes narrowed.
She threw up her hands. It was clear he wasn’t going to step back. Already he’d crowded her against her car. If he wasn’t willing to back away, she wouldn’t be able to get inside and escape. “I’m not interested in a guy who goes through women like someone with a cold goes through tissues.”
His jaw tightened. “You don’t know me like you think you do.”
“Don’t I? Look, Tripp. It’s been nice—this little truce—but I know better than to fall for someone who isn’t available.”
“No.” He shook his head.
“No?” she barked with a laugh.
“No,” Tripp repeated. “I don’t think that’s it.
I think this is about you and all your silly expectations.
You want everything to be perfect, to fall in line just so.
You can’t stand the unknown. You don’t like taking risks.
You’re comfortable in your own little bubble, safe behind the walls you build around yourself. ”
His words stung like a slap to the face. She couldn’t even come up with the words to respond to them.
Because she’d be lying to herself.
Tripp pushed off the car angrily enough the vehicle rocked a little. Without another word, he stormed a few steps then he paused. Quieter, but with no less frustration, he muttered, “I looked up that Junebug reference.”
She still couldn’t move. His words were holding her in place.
“You’re wrong. If anyone is stuck on a string, only capable of going as far as it’s safe, it’s you.” Then he was gone.