Her head snapped up and she met Hallie’s concerned eyes.
“Where did you go?”
Wendy laughed it off. “Nowhere. I’m good.”
Hallie cocked her head, her hands on her hips. They were all in a large bedroom in the main house. Wendy didn’t know who it belonged to. For today, it was for the bridal party. Serenity was seated in front of a mirror having her hair and makeup done. The other girls were chatting with each other. They were all close but then why wouldn’t they be? They were all part of this family. Wendy was the odd one out.
Forcing her smile to appear more natural, Wendy changed the subject. “You look amazing. I should have done something like that with my hair.” She lifted a hand to the gentle curls she had draped over her shoulder. An updo might have been a better fit for the actual wedding. She didn’t feel nearly as formal as she thought she should have been.
“Your hair looks great. I’m sure you’ll be turning more than one head.” She winked. “Or are you wanting to turn just the one?”
Wendy attempted to ignore Hallie. Ever since she’d disappeared from the party two nights ago, Hallie and Serenity had been blowing up her phone asking if the reason Tripp was missing was because they were together. She’d never tell them the truth. After today none of it would matter anyway.
“I’m just glad today is the last day we’ll be forced to be in each other’s company.”
Hallie smirked. “Sureyou are.”
This right here was why Wendy needed to keep everything a secret. If Hallie learned about the kiss, Wendy wouldn’t have heard the end of it. This was Serenity’s big day. She was supposed to be in the spotlight and there was nothing Wendy would do to take that away from her. “Enough about me. What’s the plan for decorating Reese’s truck? Who’s got the paint and the cans?”
Hallie plopped down on a chair beside Wendy. “Jake has the cans. I’ve got the paint.”
Wendy nudged Hallie, bumping her shoulder against her friend. “You and Jacob, huh? Still the same old story or is something finally sticking?”
“Nope. None of that. If you’re not willing to talk about Tripp, then I’m not talking about Jake.”
Huffing, Wendy folded her arms. “How is that fair? We all know there’s something between you two.”
“Just like we can all tell there’s something between you and Tripp.”
“Yeah,” Wendy snorted. “Hatred.”
Hallie shook her head. “If only hatred could look at me like that.”
Goosebumps rose on Wendy’s arms at Hallie’s words. There was no point in reminding Hallie that Tripp treated all the girls in his life the same. He looked at them all the same. She wasn’t anything special.
Even if she wanted to be.
And did she?
No.
Most certainly not.
His warm breathtickled the back of her neck where it had been laid bare after she pulled her hair over her shoulder. His quiet words sent shivers skittering down her spine. “You look exquisite, sweetness.”
Wendy’s breath stalled in her chest but she forced herself to exude a calmness she didn’t feel. “How would you know? You’ve only seen my backside.”
He chuckled and she smiled to herself before she turned slightly.
Tripp lookedsomouth-watering good in his suit. It fit him like a glove. Even with it on, she could see his muscular frame and all she could think about was what it would feel like if he were to drag her to someplace quiet and ravish her.
Heat unfurled beneath her skin, starting in her chest and rising until it flooded her face. She looked away, knowing full-well that the evidence of her wayward thoughts couldn’t be ignored.
“Careful, sweetness, I might think you have a crush on me.” Tripp’s rumbling voice did nothing to improve her situation. All she could do was turn her attention forward. Ignore him. Ignore the way he’d made her feel when they’d been alone in the dark with only the stars and the moon to witness the biggest mistake of her life.
It was an outdoor wedding and Reese’s family had spared no expense. Flower garlands were draped over every surface possible. White chairs were lined in the yard, connected by sheer white fabric and more flowers. The gazebo was still decorated with lights and roses. Reese would be waiting there with the pastor. All they were waiting for was the music to start playing.
Tripp held out his elbow and she stared at it like it was a snake in the brush. “Come on, I don’t bite,” he murmured. Why was he being so nice? Was it because he realized there was nowhere else for them to go from here? Or was this an extension of the truce they’d formed the other night? It was the big day. Serenity and Reese deserved to have a beautiful wedding without anyone antagonizing the other.
