“Have you ever considered that you’re not offering them what they want and dating you helps them raise the bar?” Leo was still chuckling. “Women tend to get to a point where they won’t settle anymore. And if they thought you weren’t serious enough, they’ll leave.”
That wasn’t how things ended with Olivia. She’d been the one he’d nearly proposed to. Only, he’d felt something was off. At the time he’d wondered if he’d simply been self-sabotaging when he’d broken things off with her. Then after she’d gotten back with her ex, he’d started to wonder if hewascursed.
The way his cousins laughed at him made him start to believe he was crazy to a degree. A scowl crossed his features, and he looked away from them. They could laugh at him all they wanted. At some point Wendy would find someone better than him unless he could figure out a way to keep her. Right now, he didn’t have a long-term plan. All he knew was that he couldn’t let her slip away.
Desperation did things to a man like him.
Wendy glanced over at him and their eyes locked.
Tripp was only vaguely aware of his brother’s chuckle beside him. There was a knowingness about it. The sound rubbed against Tripp’s last nerve. Rather than get into a fight, he left. He didn’t have a plan other than wanting to be near Wendy.
The second she realized he was headed her way, her eyes widened. Thankfully, she didn’t retreat. But Hallie and Serenity did. And when she noticed that, she suddenly looked nervous.
Tripp winked at her and she flushed. For a second he thought she might change her mind about escaping his attention when her eyes darted anywhere but at him.
But she stayed.
“Hey,” he murmured.
“Hey,” she parroted, her eyes still darting around them.
“Careful, sweetheart. You’re making me feel like you might escape at any moment.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said, her voice dripping with sugar. “Because that would be exactly what you want.”
“How’s that?”
She eyed him, that familiar fire in her gaze. Only this time, it wasn’t directed at him to burn but rather to tantalize. “You enjoy the chase far too much.”
Tripp didn’t even bother hiding his smile. “You know me so well.”
Wendy grinned behind her glass and he nodded toward it.
“I see you’re enjoying the sweet tea.” Tripp reveled in seeing the faint blush that flooded her cheeks. She’d never know the extent he’d go through to ensure she had her favorite beverage on hand whenever they were at the same event.
She lifted the glass. “Your recipe, I take it?”
“Of course.”
Wendy took another sip and closed her eyes as if to relish the taste. That was the best compliment she could have given him. When she looked up at him again, she didn’t seem surprised to find him staring.
Tension crackled between them and he found himself leaning toward her. His voice lowered huskily. “There’s an estate sale in the next town over.”
“There is?” Genuine interest lit her eyes. She faced him fully. That simple body language was all he needed to know that things were shifting in his favor. It was exhilarating, the way she staredat him, smiled at him, it fueled his soul in ways he hadn’t allowed in a long time.
“Yeah. I was thinking about checking it out. You want to come?” He’d expected her to turn him down. Heck, he’d even thought she might ask about the location so she could go on her own.
Today, Wendy was full of surprises.
“I’d like that.”
Before he could revel too much in this win, she continued.
“As long as it’s not a date.”
“What?” The question burst from his lips before he had a chance to restrain himself. Normally, he’d accept what she had to offer. There was no denying that he wanted more. He was simply struggling with patience.
Her smile remained on her lips. “Friends, Tripp. That’s what I’m offering you. I don’t think it’s wise for us to be anything more.”
