Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Tripp took a sip of the iced tea he’d insisted on bringing to his cousin’s birthday party. He hadn’t done it for her, however. He’d brought the sweet tea for Wendy’s benefit. Ever since he’d seen her that first day it had been difficult to get her out of his head.
Maybe he was crazy.
There were times when he’d thought as much.
Wendy had wanted nothing to do with him and that alone would have normally been enough to dissuade his interest. There was only so much of a chase he was willing to partake in.
He was done trying to figure out the why of it all. At this point he’d allowed himself to let go and enjoy the excitement that this particular chase presented.
She was… everything he wanted.
From her looks to her sharp tongue. Wendy was made for him and he refused to hear anything else. At first, he’d told her that their relationship would inevitably get under her skin. But now? He wholly believed it. One day she’d accept that they were meant to be.
He could hear her laughter from across the lawn. Serenity had said something to her and she’d thrown her head back to laugh without restraint.
Dang, he loved her laugh.
That smile could bring him to his knees.
What would she do if she knew she had this much power over him?
Probably use it against him.
Tripp chuckled under his breath at that thought because the truth was he’d willingly submit to whatever torture she’d wish to put him through if it meant he had her undivided attention.
She wore a pretty pale blue sundress that came to her knees. It didn’t have sleeves, which showcased her perfect, soft skin.
“You’re staring,” Brent murmured quiet enough for only Tripp to hear. It wouldn’t matter if he spoke louder. At this point Tripp could safely assume that all his cousins were more or less aware of his infatuation.
He’d had plenty of first dates with various women, but they didn’t come around much afterward. True, Wendy was friends with both Hallie and Serenity. It was understandable to assume she’d be hanging around.
But that wasn’t how Wendy did things. She valued her solitude. Hence the reason they hadn’t met officially before the wedding.
“You might want to be careful. Don’t want to get caught,” Brent mused, delight lacing his voice.
“I don’t care if she catches me,” Tripp glanced toward his brother. “If you haven’t noticed, I like the way I unnerve her.”
Brent shook his head. “It’s not her I’m worried about.”
At that, Tripp’s brows furrowed. “Then who?”
“Our parents for one. Do you honestly want mom breathing down your neck if she catches even a whiff that you’re finally serious about someone? You know how they can be.”
Tripp grimaced. “You’re right. Not interested in that. At least not yet.” He didn’t want his mother scaring Wendy off. The woman was skittish at best. And she wasn’t interested in anything serious all because of her experience with her friend.
He blew out a breath and forced himself to turn to Leo and Reese.
The two were talking about the therapy program that Noah’s wife had funded.
There was a small part of Tripp that had felt left out when they’d been brought in on the project.
It was like Noah didn’t think he was capable of that kind of responsibility.
But then Wendy had made him realize doing anything other than equine dentistry would be a version of settling. Just like that, he didn’t care anymore.
Leo caught Tripp’s eye and his mouth quirked upward, turning the conversation to him instead. “So, cousin, when can we expect to hear the good news?”
“What are you getting at?” Tripp muttered. He already hated the teasing in his cousin’s voice. There was no denying the next words were going to get to him even more.
“You know, when you pop the question. Because, let’s face it. That woman is a catch. Anyone with eyes can see it. You might not want to wait too long.”
Tripp rolled his eyes. “I’m not ready for anything like that.”
Brent chuckled. “Yeah. When was the last time he had an actual girlfriend? Tripp doesn’t know how to hold onto a girl. Let alone someone as great as Wendy.”
The dark look of fury Tripp sent his brother’s way would have burned a lesser man.
But his brother was used to his ire and he simply chuckled.
Tripp took another sip of his drink and glanced over to Wendy, his thoughts shifting to something less appealing.
“I’ve dated seriously before,” he muttered. “And it didn’t work out.”
“And whose fault was that?” Leo chuckled.
Tripp ignored the jab, instead stating something that caught the attention of everyone present. “Besides, I don’t think I could seriously date her because that would mean she’d end up with someone else.”
The silence that followed was expected. He’d never shared his thought process when it came to dating seriously.
His brother was the first to break the silence. “Wait, are you talking about that girl you dated in Georgia? You can’t possibly think—”
“Yeah, I’m talking about her. And a couple other women.”
“Will someone fill me in? Because I’m confused,” Reese muttered.
Leo nodded in agreement.
Brent sighed with a shake of his head. He was attentive.
It was like one of his superpowers. He could put two and two together as if his conclusions were obvious when nothing could have been further from the truth.
“Tripp never dates anyone seriously because he doesn’t want to get attached to them and end up losing them to someone else. ”
Their cousins still seemed confused.
Leo squinted his eyes slightly. “And dating someone means they… will?”
Brent had come about as close to explaining Tripp’s fears as he could possibly get.
“Basically.” Tripp squeezed the back of his neck and refused to steal another glance at Wendy. “The women I’ve gotten close to—those relationships inevitably end and a few weeks later they’re with the person they end up getting married to.”
The blank stares from the men present only lasted for a few minutes before Reese chuckled and the others followed suit. “So… you think you’re what? Some kind of final step before a woman finds her true love? Let me guess. It’s a curse or something.”
Tripp shrugged. He hadn’t labeled it as such, but that would be a good way to describe it. “I can’t explain it. All I know is that the women I’ve had more than two dates with end up settling down after they’re with me.”
“Have you ever considered that you’re not offering them what they want and dating you helps them raise the bar?” Leo was still chuckling. “Women tend to get to a point where they won’t settle anymore. And if they thought you weren’t serious enough, they’ll leave.”
That wasn’t how things ended with Olivia.
She’d been the one he’d nearly proposed to.
Only, he’d felt something was off. At the time he’d wondered if he’d simply been self-sabotaging when he’d broken things off with her.
Then after she’d gotten back with her ex, he’d started to wonder if he was cursed.
The way his cousins laughed at him made him start to believe he was crazy to a degree.
A scowl crossed his features, and he looked away from them.
They could laugh at him all they wanted.
At some point Wendy would find someone better than him unless he could figure out a way to keep her.
Right now, he didn’t have a long-term plan.
All he knew was that he couldn’t let her slip away.
Desperation did things to a man like him.
Wendy glanced over at him and their eyes locked.
Tripp was only vaguely aware of his brother’s chuckle beside him. There was a knowingness about it. The sound rubbed against Tripp’s last nerve. Rather than get into a fight, he left. He didn’t have a plan other than wanting to be near Wendy.
The second she realized he was headed her way, her eyes widened. Thankfully, she didn’t retreat. But Hallie and Serenity did. And when she noticed that, she suddenly looked nervous.
Tripp winked at her and she flushed. For a second he thought she might change her mind about escaping his attention when her eyes darted anywhere but at him.
But she stayed.
“Hey,” he murmured.
“Hey,” she parroted, her eyes still darting around them.
“Careful, sweetheart. You’re making me feel like you might escape at any moment.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said, her voice dripping with sugar. “Because that would be exactly what you want.”
“How’s that?”
She eyed him, that familiar fire in her gaze. Only this time, it wasn’t directed at him to burn but rather to tantalize. “You enjoy the chase far too much.”
Tripp didn’t even bother hiding his smile. “You know me so well.”
Wendy grinned behind her glass and he nodded toward it.
“I see you’re enjoying the sweet tea.” Tripp reveled in seeing the faint blush that flooded her cheeks. She’d never know the extent he’d go through to ensure she had her favorite beverage on hand whenever they were at the same event.
She lifted the glass. “Your recipe, I take it?”
“Of course.”
Wendy took another sip and closed her eyes as if to relish the taste. That was the best compliment she could have given him. When she looked up at him again, she didn’t seem surprised to find him staring.
Tension crackled between them and he found himself leaning toward her. His voice lowered huskily. “There’s an estate sale in the next town over.”
“There is?” Genuine interest lit her eyes. She faced him fully. That simple body language was all he needed to know that things were shifting in his favor. It was exhilarating, the way she stared at him, smiled at him, it fueled his soul in ways he hadn’t allowed in a long time.
“Yeah. I was thinking about checking it out. You want to come?” He’d expected her to turn him down. Heck, he’d even thought she might ask about the location so she could go on her own.
Today, Wendy was full of surprises.
“I’d like that.”
Before he could revel too much in this win, she continued.
“As long as it’s not a date.”
“What?” The question burst from his lips before he had a chance to restrain himself. Normally, he’d accept what she had to offer. There was no denying that he wanted more. He was simply struggling with patience.
Her smile remained on her lips. “Friends, Tripp. That’s what I’m offering you. I don’t think it’s wise for us to be anything more.”
Deep disappointment stuck its claws into his chest, but the sensation was momentary. He wouldn’t let her request deter him. Friends was better than the strained back and forth they’d started out with.
Wendy was worth the trouble. He knew it and she probably did, as well. Maybe this was a test. Maybe it was a step in the right direction and he simply needed to give in so she could see a different side of him.
Tripp cocked his head slightly and offered her his most disarming smile. “Friends?”
She nodded resolutely but there was something in her eyes that suggested she wasn’t completely sure of her decision. “Friends.”
Rubbing his jaw, Tripp pretended to consider it. “What exactly are the terms of this friendship you’re suggesting.”
Her expression took on an adorable sort of exasperation. “Friends,” she emphasized.
“Yeah,” he quipped. “I heard you. Friends. Does that mean we get to have sleepovers and braid each other’s hair?”
She snorted then coughed as if she needed to cover up the fact she thought his question amusing. Then her eyes drifted to his cropped hair. “I don’t think braids would suit you.”
“Okay, no braids. Just sleepovers and pillow fights.”
Wendy laughed again with a shake of her head. “Pass.”
“That’s disappointing,” he mumbled but his grin remained. “So coffee dates and hunting for antiques. Maybe the occasional dinner?”
She eyed him but the amusement was still clear in her eyes. “That sounds too much like a relationship.”
“Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.” He shrugged and she laughed. Then he held out his hand. “Friends sounds good. No dates. Nothing… romantic.” He wagged his eyebrows. “But if you change your mind—”
“I won’t,” she insisted.
“One day—”
“Don’t even say it,” she snapped.
It was his turn to laugh. Tripp held up both hands. “Okay, okay. I won’t say it. And you don’t have to try to convince me that you’d still avoid me if I was the last man on earth.”
At that, Wendy rolled her eyes and stalked off. Tripp didn’t miss the way she fought another smile as she left.
“That didn’t seem to go over very well.” Brent’s voice came from behind, but Tripp didn’t turn toward him.
“You wouldn’t say that if you were privy to the whole conversation. She’s warming up to me.”
“Yeah, and next week, our parents are going to support my decision to train for the rodeo.”
Tripp turned around so quick he nearly got whiplash. His eyes widened and he took a step toward his brother. “The rodeo?” he hissed. “You can’t be serious.”
Brent shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “I’ve been thinking about it.”
“You know they won’t—”
“Exactly my point. It’s like you forget that I’m an adult. They can’t stop me.”
“No…” Tripp drawled, “but they could certainly make your life miserable if that’s the career you choose. Have you forgotten that you live under their roof? You work for our family? What would you do if you’re not allowed—”
“That’s why you’re going to keep my secret.”
Tripp scoffed. “You can’t keep that sort of thing a secret. Our parents like everyone else in this town like to go to the rodeo. What are your plans? Only compete in the ones hosted in other towns?”
“Maybe?” Brent muttered noncommittally. “Or maybe I’ll figure out a way to get them to see things my way.”
“You’re nuts.”
“No more than you.”
When Tripp glanced at his brother, he nodded in Wendy’s direction.
“We’re just crazy over different things. You’re crazy for a girl. I’m crazy for a dream.”
A dream.
Tripp could relate to that. With a sigh, he clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Good luck.”
Brent’s surprise had been expected but he didn’t breathe a word.
“You’re gonna need it,” Tripp chuckled.
“So do you!” Brent called out when Tripp wandered off.