Some might call it crazy.
Tripp’s hand braced the back of her neck and he deepened their kiss. His lips crushed against hers, clawing at the barriers she’d erected when she’d first met him. For a breath-stealing moment Wendy allowed herself to give into him, allowed him to take from her.
But then memories flashed behind her eyes like a movie reel.
Memories of Olivia’s grief.
Memories of how he’d behaved when they’d gone camping.
Tripp was as shallow as they came. He’d chew her up and spit her out. He’d break her heart.
But not if she broke his first.
Wendy turned her head, ending the kiss. They were both breathing heavily, both fighting the daze that managed to cling to them in this moment.
“Wendy…” he breathed.
She closed her eyes for just a moment. That was all she needed.
Then she met his gaze with a saccharine smile and patted his cheek. “You’re right. Pretty packaging. Too much work.” She attempted to dart under his arm, but he moved just in time to prevent her.
“Come on, Sweetness, you don’t really believe that, do you? I’m very good at what I do. Your satisfaction would be my guarantee.”
Her eyes narrowed. She could yell at him to let her go. She could garner the attention of everyone in the shop and make a scene. But that wasn’t her style. She wasn’t about to let Tripp corner her like a caged animal. She wagged a finger at him, gesturing tohis whole body. “That right there only proves everything I know about you, Tripp Gilley. You’ll always be a bridesmaid and never the bride.”
This time Tripp laughed with surprise. “What?”
“You know,” Wendy shrugged. “You’re the kind of guy who always dates around. You never settle down. Doomed to flit from flower to flower, never finding true happiness.”
That statement seemed to shock him at least. His brows pulled together and he stepped back just enough to give her the ability to escape. Wendy wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass her by. If she stayed a second longer, he might force her to stick around for more of this particularly difficult conversation.
Wendy darted around him and into the closest dressing room, praying that Tripp wouldn’t be lingering when she emerged.
CHAPTER TEN
Tripp paced in the hallway.He scowled at the closed door but he knew better than to bang on it and demand Wendy to come out to speak to him.
What did she even mean? The Junebug thing? Always the bridesmaid? What was she talking about?
And that kiss.
Dang, that kiss had been something else. Had she felt what he had? The electrifying pull that demanded something more? He could have lost all sense and time in that kiss.
But no. She’d said as much, hadn’t she? He wasn’t about to admit he was bitter about it, either. That would be playing right into her hands. She wanted the upper-hand but she wasn’t going to get it.
He stopped his pacing and pressed both hands on the doorjamb, letting his head hang. “Wendy,” he muttered quietly. “We’re not done with our conversation.”
The shuffling behind the door paused for a moment but she didn’t speak.
It was difficult reining in his irritation with the woman. That kiss had been…
Tripp groaned.
That kiss had been like nothing he’d ever experienced, and he’d dated his share of women. He didn’t know if it was the animosity between them that did it or if it was something else entirely. Whatever it was, he wanted more.
“Wendy,” he hissed. You’re going to come out here and we’re going to figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out,” she muttered. Her voice was muffled but it was close enough to indicate that she was next to the door.
