“Book? What book?” Hallie asked.
“Wendy is going to write a romance book. Then she’s going to publish it and sell it at the shop with the other books they sell.”
Hallie gasped with excitement. “Can I be your test subject? Like, you know, the people who read the book before it comes out?”
Serenity nodded. “Yeah, me too. We’ll tell you how good it is so you don’t have to worry when it’s published.”
Wendy could feel the migraine coming on. She wanted out. She needed to leave. But her ride was currently flirting with another woman and there was no way she’d ask Serenity to leave her own party. She’d have to stick it out in one of the less busy spaces. “Yeah, sure. Why not?” She mumbled the words then lifted her nearly full glass. “I’m going to get a refill.”
She slipped away from her friends, not bothering to answer their questions on her well-being. Wendy was fine. She’dalwaysbeen fine. Today was just a bad day and she wanted space.
Bypassing the table that served the drinks, Wendy headed for the side of the house. Maybe she could just sit out front away from the loud music and all the people. Her plans changed when she noticed a couple horses who were grazing in a fenced off area several yards away. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t dressed for an animal encounter. Wendy easily slipped off her heels and letthem dangle by the straps on her fingers. Then she headed for the creatures who wouldn’t pester her about her relationships, her book, or her future.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Where was she going?
Tripp knew all too well that he couldn’t hide his interest in Wendy. Reese had already made an off-hand comment on the fact that they’d danced with each other to more than one song tonight. He was sure more people had noticed, but he didn’t care.
Tonight was all about their truce. He could be charming and nice to a girl at this party and not have to make excuses for it. Everyone here knew that he didn’t do serious, anyway. Who cared what they thought?
Wendy slipped around the side of the house and Tripp interrupted the woman speaking to him. “It’s been great chatting about this. Do you have a card, or can I get it from your husband?”
“I don’t have one on me,” Serena frowned. “I’m not sure Jonathan does either. But Reese has his number. Give him a call and I’m sure we can set up a meeting if you’re truly interested.”
Tripp nodded. “Thanks. Yes, I’m very interested.” He held out his hand and shook Serena’s hand. “We’ll talk soon.”
Without another thought, Tripp hurried in the direction that Wendy had taken. She’d come here with him. Did she think she could just leave without telling him? Did she think she could call a rideshare? Over his dead body.
He burst from the backyard and came to a stumbling stop when he caught sight of her. Bathed in moonlight, the flecks of glitter twinkled as she walked toward a corral with three horses inside. Tripp watched with fascination. From here, he could tell she’d removed her shoes.
Away from the crowd of people, she seemed more relaxed, as if being around large groups was taxing on her. How had he not noticed that before? There was something in the way she held herself that was different when she thought she was alone.
Slowly, he strode toward her, careful not to make any sound. He didn’t want to startle her, but he also didn’t want to alert her to his presence in case she was also trying to escape him. That notion irritated him even now. He wasn’t a bad guy. Why couldn’t she just like him? Even a little bit.
Tripp stopped when Wendy tossed her shoes to the side and climbed between two poles to enter the space where the horses were grazing. She inched closer to a chestnut mare, her hand outstretched. Soft words he couldn’t decipher spilled from her lips like a babbling brook. It was a soothing sound, and he wasn’t at all surprised that the mare moved in her direction.
Wendy pressed her palm to the horse’s nose and continued speaking to her. Fascinating. Wendy had a way with animals. Who knew?
The more he watched her the more something shifted. He wasn’t blind. From their first encounter, he’d noticed her. He’d watched the way she was with other people—the people she loved. It was the little things.
This woman, despite all of the trouble she caused him, had a heart of gold. She paid attention to what was important to her friends. She found joy in the simplistic pieces of the world that no one looked at twice evidenced in her love of the old and rundown. She’d do anything for her friends, even dress up and attend parties where she wasn’t comfortable in her own skin.
Maybe he was crazy. Maybe he wanted to be someone she looked at with awe. He wanted those large blue eyes to see something in him worth saving. Because the more he had paid attention to her, the more he realized he’d have to be better. He’d have to earn that affection, that loyalty he craved.
Tripp took another step toward her and she stiffened. The horse tossed her head and Wendy shot a look over her shoulder. Her muscles remained tense as she returned her focus to the horse.
“What do you want, Tripp?” The irritation mingled with something else he couldn’t put his finger on. Regardless, he flinched.
“I came to check on you.”
She scoffed.
Apparently, she had no interest in elaborating how she felt about his statement. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
Tripp closed the distance between himself and the corral. He folded his arms atop the cool metal and rested his chin there. “Her name is Nugget. She’s new.”
Wendy didn’t turn to face him, but she whispered, “She’s beautiful.”
