“It feels like…” Olivia hummed to herself. “I bet it feels like you’re stuck in the middle of the ocean drifting with a life raft. Aimless. That you were stuck on a large boat with lots of people and yet you felt so alone that you jumped.”
Chills racked through Wendy’s body and her hands started to tremble. That description was almost eerie.
“But then another boat comes along and maybe there’s someone offering to pull you up. But you’re scared. You don’t want to get into another boat only to feel like you might end up right backin the water. You can’t tell if this boat will be any different than where you were before. So, you just keep floating there.”
Wendy didn’t realize a tear had slid down her cheek until it slipped off the edge of her jaw and landed on her hands. “Wow.”
Olivia let out a quiet chuckle. “I know, right? I think I got this, like, new mom superpower.” She waited for another moment. “I think you’re dealing with something you’ve never dealt with before. I can’t remember you liking a guy enough for it to disrupt your life to this extent.”
She was absolutely right.
“So, this is about Tripp? Do you have feelings for him?”
“Maybe?” Wendy hedged.
“So what’s the problem?”
This was it. The moment of truth. The time when she’d have to admit to her friend her fears. “What if we start dating and he gets tired of me?”
“Wendy,” Olivia breathed with what could only be pity.
“Don’t,” Wendy interrupted her before she could speak again. “This isn’t about me. I promise. This is about Tripp. We both know he has a reputation for dating a lot of different girls.”
“Had.”
“What?”
“Had. Hehada reputation. But let me ask you this. Have you seen any evidence of him dating a lot recently? I mean, I’m not there, so I can’t say I see what the two of you have?—”
“We don’thaveanything—” Wendy started.
“Oh, whatever. I know you do. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be an issue. He’s gotten to you even though you didn’t want him to. Anyway, like I was saying. How much time do you two spend together?”
Wendy chewed on her lower lip. “A lot, actually.”
“Okay, good. So you spend time together. Does he make excuses when you want to hang out with him?”
“No,” Wendy hedged. “He’s always available.”
“Then let me ask you something else. Is it possible that he’s changed? People mature and grow up all the time. What if he’s ready for something serious? Don’t you think it’s possible for him to realize he wants to settle down? And maybe he’d like to settle down with you.”
Wendy didn’t dare hope to go that far. But Olivia had made several good points. Tripp might have told her that she’d eventually fall in love with him to tease her or make her uncomfortable, but it was also possible that he’d brought it up several times because he might be developing feelings for her, too.
She swallowed hard. “So what now?”
“What do you mean, what now? Now is the time to give him a chance. Now is the time to sit down and tell him what you want. Talk to him.”
“And if he doesn’t want the same thing?” Wendy’s stomach churned painfully at that notion. She didn’t want to have to look into his eyes when he inevitably turned her down and told her he wasn’t ready for anything serious.
“What do you have to lose? Honestly, Wendy. What you have now is a friendship, right? Sure that friendship might become strained, but maybe it won’t. I can tell you this much, though. If you never try, then you’ll never get it. We miss out on one hundred percent of the shots we don’t take.”
Wendy rolled her eyes. “I think you’re right.”
“I know I am.”
“No, I think you’re right that motherhood has changed you. That last one was a little corny.”
“Hey,” Olivia huffed with a laugh. “Be nice.”
