14. Tripp
Chapter 14
Tripp
M y phone vibrates in my pocket, and I’m tempted to check if it’s a text back from Ivy. I’m not sure why I felt the need to arrange this now. But at halftime when I checked my phone and saw the delivery confirmation for the security system, I took it as a sign to reach out.
It’s not a text though, still vibrating against my leg. I slide my phone out to see that Ivy is calling me. Glancing up to find Hayden and Wes focused on the game, I slide out the door beside me and start across Hayden’s driveway.
When I’m a good enough distance away, I answer to the sound of loud music and the chatter of a crowd.
“Ivy?”
“Hi!” her voice cuts through the noise, chipper and sweet. Then she pauses and I hear a muffled debate. “I was curious—why do I need to be at my store in the next few days?” she asks me, her voice clearly directed back into the phone. There’s something about it that doesn’t quite sound like her though. Is she drunk?
“What are you up to tonight?” I ask instead of answering her, reaching Hayden’s house and leaning against one of the front porch pillars.
“Oh, the girls thought I needed a night away from everything, we’re at a new wine bar in Fenbury.”
Something stirs within me. I want her to relax and enjoy herself. But I want to be a part of it.
“Good, you deserve some fun. What’s the plan after the wine bar?”
“Just home,” Ivy replies loudly, followed by a softer hush and giggle.
A thrill runs through me that she is wanting to talk to me and gossip about it with her friends tonight. Suddenly, I feel like I’m some high school kid again, hoping for any bit of her attention. But my brain reminds me that I’m an adult, and they are drinking far from Foxport. “How are you ladies getting home?”
“We’ll use a ride app; it’s how we got here.”
I check my watch. I’ve only had one beer so far tonight. And plenty of pizza. If I leave now, I could get them by the time they’re ready to leave.
“That’s ridiculous, I’ll come get you,” I tell her.
“No, Tripp, that’s not why I?—”
“I know you’re not asking. I’m offering. In fact, I’m insisting. What’s the name of the bar?”
“It’s, um… are you sure?”
“The name, Ivy.”
A soft sigh escapes her. “Vino on High. But it’s far, Tripp.”
“Then I’ll leave now. See you soon.”
Parking in front of the wine bar is nonexistent. I grab a spot a block down and send Ivy a message that I’m here whenever they are ready. I tap the steering wheel in rhythm to the Smashing Pumpkins song playing and think about where I can grab food to wait rather than crashing their fun.
Ivy
We’re ready. But I don’t see you?
Tripp
I’ll be right in.
I grab my keys from the ignition and step out into the night. Crossing the street, it’s easy to spot the bar immediately. There’s a line forming out the door.
Prepared to push my way in, I freeze, catching a glimpse of Ivy through the window. She’s in yet another one of her tiny skirts, this time paired with sexy boots and a tight little top. I’m not going to survive this drive back.
She catches my eye through the window, and a breathtaking smile spreads across her face. Holding up a delicate finger, she signals for me to wait where I am. Then she turns to her friends, and they all rise.
“Hi,” Ivy offers shyly as they cross outside. She keeps her eyes down, fighting to get her coat on. Taking it from her, I hold it out and guide it onto her petite frame from behind.
“Hi,” I whisper, my arms still around her, my mouth near her ear. There’s freedom being away from town. It feels safe to be this intimate with her.
“Hi, Tripp!” Poppy chirps, a smirk on her face.
So not complete freedom then, I’d forgotten the strong ties to town witnessing this interaction.
“Ladies,” I nod to them, stepping to the side of Ivy. “Have a nice night?”
“Very, even Ivy danced tonight,” Wren replies cheerfully.
I turn and raise an eyebrow at the gorgeous woman flanking my side. “You dance?” I ask through a smile. She drops her gaze to her feet again, a faint smile playing at her lips.
“When Poppy begs us all to join her for one song, I dance.”
A hum escapes me as we reach an intersection and I drape an arm around her shoulder, guiding her in the direction of my Defender. When Ivy leans into my embrace, effectively tucking herself against me, I regret not parking further away.
We all cross the street, and as the road curves, a small pink storefront comes into view. Ivy tilts her head, studying it as we approach.
“La Petite Confiserie,” she reads from the sign above the door. A realization shows on her face as she comes to a halt. The rest of us follow suit, Stevie nearly knocking right into Ivy. “This is where the chocolates come from.”
“The what?” Wren asks.
But Ivy looks to me instead. “This place is a tiny local shop. The kind that only sells their candy in this one location.”
“That’s an interesting assumption,” I reply calmly.
“No, there’s a sign.”
I look to where she’s pointing in the window. There is indeed a sign that reads ‘New England Sweets and Treats Award Winner—get your famous chocolates here only.’
Well, shit. What are the chances?
“Okay, so not much of an assumption then.”
“Do you come up here to get those?” Ivy asks me, her voice barely audible.
“Let’s go, my little Sherlock.” I grab her hand, lacing our fingers together and giving her a tug.
“What did we miss?” Stevie whispers loudly behind us.
“I’m not sure, but we definitely missed something,” Poppy replies.
Ivy
My brain is reeling as much from the man beside me as it is from the wine. Tripp has been going out of his way for me for quite some time, it would seem. Each time I think about it, a warm, fuzzy feeling spreads through me anew. Like a wave of excitement and desire crashing against my heartstrings.
In the backseat, my friends have stolen control of the music—not that Tripp put up a fight—and have been dancing to Taylor Swift for the duration of the drive. Poppy had insisted that it’s the only music that can make this a true girls’ night. They bounce together, leaning on one another as they belt out the lyrics they know by heart. A few times, they try to pull me into the songs with them, leaning up over my seat to get my attention.
And I know all the words too. But there’s nothing in this world that can pull my attention from Tripp right now. I study his profile, committing every perfect detail to memory. The sharp jawline, the shadow of stubble, the aquiline nose.
He gives me a sidelong glance, but he’s been guarded since the chocolate shop. I need him to understand how much his actions mean to me.
“Tripp—” I start as we pass the Welcome to Foxport sign.
“We’re home!” Wren cheers.
“We were all going to stay at my house,” Stevie offers, her face popping up from the backseat between us. “You can just take us there. Up near Maple Hill.”
“Yes ma’am,” Tripp replies, looking at me instead.
Stevie gives him directions the remainder of the drive, bringing us to a stop in front of her cottage. One by one, my friends pile out, offering thanks on their way.
“Take your time, Ivy,” Stevie calls as she ushers Wren and Poppy up to her front door.
I turn to Tripp and place my hand on his knee. “About the chocolates… I’ve never had anyone go out of their way for me like that,” I tell him.
“You’re worth it, and then some, Ivy.” His gaze is smoldering, moving between my eyes and my hand placement.
Heat spreads through my center as his words sink in. My mouth parts, a soft oh escaping. His eyes darken further still at the sound of my hitched breathing.
“Why?”
“To see that adorable look you make when you get a box, I’d travel even further.”
“I—” Surprise clouds my brain, the right words out of reach. Instead, I lift my hands to cup his face and press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. Slow, savoring.
He trails the back of his fingers gently up my arm and brings his hand around to clasp the back of my neck.
“I didn’t come to interrupt your night. You should go inside before…” he trails off, strain in his voice.
“I’m glad you were here tonight,” I say.
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
I follow his instruction and climb out into the night. When I reach the front door, I turn back to look at him. He has his phone out but is watching me intently. My own phone vibrates, and I open it to find a message from him.
Tripp
You in that skirt tonight. My god.
Heat pulses through me, a smile teasing at my lips. The way this night has ended… my god, indeed.