Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
How could a whole month pass and at the same time feel like no time had passed at all? Wendy was head over heels in love with Tripp. She could feel it in her soul. And yet, she hadn’t managed to get the words out.
One thing at a time. She had to constantly remind herself of that fact. One day at a time, too.
She stared at her computer screen. The shop had been slow, but that was normal when there were other events happening in town. There was some sort of fall festival starting up and people were flocking to the town square to shop and eat.
It was fine. Wendy had more interesting things in mind for how she wanted to spend her day. Namely the document she had pulled up in front of her.
A smile stretched across her face as she stared at the blinking cursor.
Once it had been at the top of the page, mocking her for her inability to produce the words for her story.
Now, she was just over ten thousand words into her very first romance and she couldn’t be more thrilled with the progress.
It wasn’t perfect. And several times she’d had to chastise herself for her need to go back and nitpick every single sentence she’d typed out.
This was the first draft, for goodness sake!
If she continued to allow herself to obsess over what she’d already written, then she wouldn’t be able to move forward.
Perhaps that was the draw with a typewriter.
She was kicking herself for not purchasing the ones she’d seen at the estate sales over the summer.
It was as if now that the opportunity had passed, there were none to be found.
Of course she could go looking for something online, but it wasn’t the same and she couldn’t guarantee that they were in the same condition as the ones she’d already found.
Besides, the shipping was almost as much as the equipment itself.
She sighed and turned her attention to the screen. Just as she was about to start her next chapter, Serenity sidled up beside her. She leaned her hip against the counter and grinned wide. “How’s it going?”
Wendy smiled widely at her friend. “Well,” she drawled, “it’d go a lot faster if my friends didn’t keep interrupting me asking how it’s going.”
Serenity didn’t show one ounce of remorse.
“Have you guys considered that maybe your obsessive natures are what was holding me back all that time?”
Her friend scoffed. “Have you considered that maybe you just needed to find love yourself? There’s a word for it…” She tapped her chin with an exaggerated flair. “Oh, that’s right. Inspiration.”
Wendy rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t deny that when she’d finally allowed herself to give into what Tripp was offering, she had been inspired.
She just couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
What if something happened and they realized that they weren’t good for each other?
She wasn’t sure she could handle that situation.
Her heart stumbled at the thought and it took some great effort to push away the doubt. Things were good. Really good.
“You love him, don’t you.” It wasn’t a question and Serenity’s low voice captured Wendy’s full attention. “You’ve told him, right?”
“Why… he hasn’t…” she scrambled for a reason why she’d put herself on the line like that when Tripp hadn’t said he loved her yet, either.
“It’s just that I’ve heard the story. He said you were the one.
That’s a confession if I ever heard one.
But you…” Serenity wasn’t exactly frowning, but the worry she wore couldn’t be missed.
“Don’t let yourself stand in the way of something good.
I know it’s new and there really shouldn’t be any pressure, but—”
“Yes,” Wendy whispered. “I do.”
The smile that flooded Serenity’s face lit up the entire room. She glowed and it wasn’t because she was currently pregnant with her third child. “Really?” she whispered back.
Wendy nodded. “Yeah. I do.”
“And you’ve told him?”
At that, Wendy looked away. “Not yet.”
“Why not?”
Chewing on her lower lip, Wendy asked herself the same thing.
She was holding back. She was still scared.
This was all so new. And yet there wasn’t a reason for her to keep the news to herself.
Tripp had laid everything out on the line.
Why couldn’t she? Maybe she still needed to hear those words before she allowed herself to completely let go. “I don’t know.”
Serenity sighed as if she understood exactly where Wendy was coming from. She placed a hand on Wendy’s shoulder and squeezed. “It’ll come when you’re ready. For both of you.” She said it like she knew something she wasn’t ready to divulge just yet.
Wendy nodded. Anxiety swirled in her chest. Realizing that she loved Tripp and telling him that she did were different kinds of struggles. She’d tell him. Today. When she saw him. It was her turn to be vulnerable with him. He’d gone through so much growth, it was the least she could do.
As if summoned by the conversation itself, the door opened and Tripp sauntered inside. His eyes immediately found hers and he grinned. Her stomach did a belly flop and she rose from the stool where she’d been sitting. “Hey, sugar bear. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
Serenity groaned good naturedly, causing Wendy to smile wider. Tripp approached the counter like he always did, and she leaned over it to fist his shirt and tug him to her. She captured his lips with her own, allowing herself to get lost in the way he made her feel.
Their story wasn’t a conventional love story by any means. Heck, something told her that it had started way before she’d even begun to like him.
Tripp moaned into her kiss and his hand clasped around the back of her neck to hold her to him. She could kiss him all day and not tire of it. He was made for her—every last bit of him.
Serenity clearing her throat was the only thing that was capable of breaking off their moment.
Wendy flushed deeply and let out a soft laugh.
Tripp didn’t look at all embarrassed about what they’d done in front of her friend.
But then, he wasn’t teased on the regular for falling for the town’s ladies’ man.
He braced himself on the counter, resting his forearms atop the glass display. “Did you already get lunch, sweetness?”
She nodded. “Serenity picked us up some sandwiches from the festival thing going on.”
A look of disappointment flickered behind his eyes and she’d be a liar if she didn’t admit to hoping that reaction would stick around for years to come. They were addicted to each other in the best possible ways.
His eyes remained locked on her and she let out a soft laugh. “What?”
Tripp shook his head.
“What?” she demanded again.
“You’re just… beautiful.”
Serenity groaned again. “I’m gonna check on the shipment we just got in.” With that she headed to the back.
Tripp chuckled and Wendy beamed right back at him.
“You don’t look half-bad yourself.” She’d gotten used to seeing him almost daily.
He went out of his way to demonstrate just how much he cared about her.
Hallie had said it was overkill, but it worked for them.
Even if Tripp stopped in for five minutes to bring her a coffee, it was nice to know he was thinking about her.
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”
She moved back to her stool and glanced up at him with interest. “Really?”
He nodded. “Mmhmm. It’s pretty great. But I didn’t want to bring it here. I thought I could bring it to your place later tonight. You busy?”
Her heart stuttered. She’d planned on telling him she loved him when he came in today, but if he planned on coming tonight, maybe that would be better.
Then if he didn’t say it back, she’d have a full day to let it settle before seeing him again.
Wendy tore her eyes from him and shook her head. “I’m free.”
“Dinner then? Burgers from our favorite place?”
He was adorable. No—handsome. Far from perfect and yet perfect for her. Whenever she was around him, a smile was permanently affixed to her face. Wendy nodded. “Sounds amazing.”
Tripp tapped his fingers on the glass countertop. “Okay, then. Tonight. Burgers. Your place.”
“And a surprise,” she reminded him.
“And a surprise.” Tripp straightened then moved around the counter. She stared up at him as he slipped his fingers into the hair at the back of her head and tilted her face impossibly higher before he claimed her mouth with his own.
This kiss held promises that words would never be capable of describing. If there was any doubt in her mind where his heart was, those doubts had been disintegrated.
Wendy paced her living room. This would be okay. She’d just blurt out that she loved him and maybe she’d crack a joke about the fact he’d been right all along. He’d seen this coming, after all. He had to know just like she’d figured out how he felt about her.
When there was a knock at her door, she froze. This was it. Her chance to lay it all out on the table.
She straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin and strode toward the door.
With a firm yank, she pulled the door open then her grip slackened just like her jaw.
Standing in front of her door was Tripp and his brother.
They were holding a familiar desk. Tripp was grinning so wide that it had to hurt. And all she could muster was one word.
“Why?”
Tripp’s smile faltered and he glanced to his brother. Brent lifted a brow and adjusted his hold on the desk.
“You gonna let us in with this thing? Or are we going to have to stay out here all night?”
“Right,” Wendy stammered backing out of the way while the men adjusted the desk so it would fit through the door. She watched with shock as they placed the antique desk in the middle of her small living room before Brent left the apartment.
“Sweetness—” Tripp murmured, coming toward her. “I thought you’d be happy—”
Her eyes snapped to his. “This isn’t…” Her question was answered when Brent materialized with a large plastic case.
She’d seen them before in her research for an old-fashioned typewriter.
She knew exactly what it contained. Her lower lip trembled as she lifted her eyes to the man who knew her better than anyone ever had.
“Well… I think I’m going to head out,” Brent mumbled.
Neither one of them glanced in his direction, but Tripp did call out, “Thanks, man. I owe you.”
Wendy’s eyes teared up as she watched Tripp move toward the case that Brent had left on the desk. He unclasped the latch and opened it to show her the most beautiful typewriter she’d ever seen—the one she’d desperately wanted when she’d seen it while she’d been with Tripp at that estate sale.
He turned to face her, a lopsided grin on his face. “I thought you might like—”
She didn’t give him a chance to finish his statement before she flung herself into his arms and kissed him. Her lips trailed over his jaw, his mouth, his neck—everywhere she could get to him. And between each kiss, she murmured. “I love you. I love you so much, Tripp.”
His shoulders relaxed and his arms came around her as his feverish kisses slowed. “If I knew this was the reaction I’d get, I would have given this to you back when we made our truce.”
A laugh bubbled up from her chest and she buried her face in his neck. “I don’t love you because you got me a typewriter.”
“Are you sure about that?” There was a note of teasing in his voice but she wasn’t going to let there be any doubt.
Wendy pulled back and stared into his eyes. “I think I fell in love with you a long time ago. I was just too stubborn to realize it.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief. “So, what you’re saying is that I was right.” He winked at her. “I told you one day you’d fall in love with me.”
She laughed again. “Yes, you ridiculous man. You were one hundred percent correct. You made me fall in love with you because of the man you are. Because you listened. Because you care. You’re everything I ever needed, and I was just too blind and maybe a little scared to admit it.”
Tripp tucked a strand of hair behind her hear. “That’s okay, because I was a little scared too.”
They stared at each other for a long, breathless moment. Then he took her chin in his grasp and kissed her softly, gently, and with his whole heart. These kinds of kisses were her absolute favorite.
When she pulled back, she glanced around. “Where’s the food?”
He draped an arm around her shoulders. “I realized that part of the reason those burgers are the best is the ambiance.”
She snickered. “You mean sitting in the back of your truck in the parking lot?”
“Exactly,” he murmured next to her ear. “The whole package.”
Wendy leaned into him. “Okay, let’s do it.”
No sooner had they received their food then a gasp and hushed voice ripped through the parking lot. Wendy craned her neck to see a gathering of people near the picnic area. A beautiful young woman was seated on the table and a man had dropped to one knee before her.
She bit back a smile as she leaned into Tripp and watched.
Tripp kissed the top of her head and whispered, “I’m proud to say, I never dated her.”
A snort of a giggle escaped her throat and she nearly choked on the fry she was attempting to eat. He laughed too. It was a running joke, now. Tripp wasn’t the catalyst for women finding their true loves.
“I suppose when I’m ready for that next step, I’ll let you know.”
He stiffened but before he could say something, she continued with her teasing.
“You know, so you can get a new girlfriend and—”
Fast as a whip, Tripp’s hand came around her neck and forced her to face him so he could crash his lips over hers. His kiss was claiming, determined. And when he pulled back, his eyes flashed with warning. “Over my dead body.”
She pulled her swollen, kissed lip between her teeth and batted her eyes at him.
“I love you, Wendy. And I’m never letting you go.”
Her breath caught. She hadn’t realized how much she’d really needed to hear him say those words until this moment. But she barely had a chance to let them settle in and take root when he spoke again.
“One day, sweetness.”
She knew what was coming and she nearly rolled her eyes.
“One day you’re going to marry me.”
Her eyes rounded and her lips parted then she smiled. Without missing a beat, she said, “Yeah, I will.”
He looked about as stunned as she did. It hadn’t been a proposal, not really. And she hadn’t exactly said they were ready for that step. She was simply done running. Done denying. She was ready for her future.
A future with him.
“Who am I to argue when I’ve been proved wrong before?” She shrugged and popped another fry into her mouth.
“Who indeed?”