Because she wasn’t. That was a hill she was willing to die on.
Nope.
Well, okay, he was attractive in a rugged mountain man sort of way. And if he wasn’t the Tripp Gilley who had broken Olivia’s heart… then maybe…
Wendy groaned, shaking her head vehemently. She wasn’t even going to go there.
Where was she going with this train of thought?
The bell above the door chimed and a potential customer exited.
Shoot. When had they come in?
She scowled, her original thought process getting back on track. She actually couldn’t wait to see Tripp again, because she wanted him to suffer. She wanted to drag him into a hole and leave him there with no way to climb out. The thought thrilled her more than it really should have.
The bell chimed again and Wendy lifted her head to find Hallie sauntering in. A broad smile graced Wendy’s lips and she straightened. “Hey, you! How’s it going?”
Hallie shrugged. “Oh, you know. Just shopping. I’m a terrible person.”
Wendy laughed. “How does shopping equate to being a terrible person?”
Her friend braced her forearms atop the counter. “Because the wedding is in a week and I still don’t have a gift for Serenity and Reese.”
Heart stalling, Wendy’s lips parted with what felt a little too much like horror. Shoot! She hadn’t figured out what to get the happy couple either. Dang it all! She’d been so wrapped up in the war she was currently waging with Tripp that she hadn’t even considered the usual stuff she’d be getting to under normal circumstances.
“I take it you’re in the same boat?” Hallie’s teasing voice dragged Wendy to the present. She smirked. “I totally get it, though. What couple refuses to register somewhere? I mean, come on! They’re just begging to get random knickknacks from places like this.”
“Hey!” Wendy let out a bubble of laughter. “This place isn’t so bad. There are a lot of things that I’m sure they would like.”
Hallie gave her a pointed look. “I’m sure they’re set on furniture. And the little decorations they could fill their house with, too. I feel like this is them playing a game with their family and friends.”
Wendy frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s like you said. They have everything they might need. Serenity was married before. She’s got the usual stuff a couple might want.” She shrugged as she looked around the shop. “This gives them the chance to let their friends have fun with it. Get them a piece of art. Or maybe an experience.”
The light in Hallie’s eyes went so bright that Wendy couldn’t help but stare. “An experience. That’s a perfect idea. I know they probably have their honeymoon planned, but she’s got kids. Maybe they’d like to go on a trip with their whole family. Do you think the boys have ever been to Disney?”
Arching a brow, Wendy folded her arms. “Disney? That’s a big ask. I don’t think you could afford?—”
“No, but I bet all my cousins could pitch in. I’m not sure about Leo… he’s probably already got an idea for his brother. But the rest of them? I would bet they’d all be relieved not to have to come up with something on their own. And let’s face it, who wants to fill their home with useless knickknacks?”
Another laugh filled the small shop and Wendy shook her head. “Good luck with your little plan. I on the other hand, will be taking a different route.”
“Oh? And what’syourbig idea?”
At that question, Wendy glanced down at the newspaper she’d picked up from the corner on her way into work. She always opened to the classifieds every morning. And to her relief, shepointed at a listing if only to make it look like she was on top of things. “There.”
Hallie craned her neck. “An estate sale?” she murmured without giving anything away. “What? You gonna get them some antique jewelry?”
Wendy shrugged. “There are a lot of things that they might sell at estate sales. I’m sure I’ll find something unique.”
“Okay, but if you end up empty-handed, then you can always piggyback off my idea. ‘Cuz, you know, I got it mostly from you.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Wendy murmured dryly.
It was perfect.
More than perfect, it was… there were no words to describe just how much Serenity and Reese would love it.
Wendy stared down at the gorgeous, hand-crafted vase. It was clearly something the owner had brought back from an Asian country. The vase had intricate and yet subtle pink and yellow lotus flowers painted on its glossy, pearl-like surface. That was Reese’s flower of choice. She’d seen them often over the last several months. Sometimes they were delivered to the shop when Serenity was working.
