Tripp was so out of sorts that he didn’t notice Hallie until he nearly collided with her.
“Sheesh, Tripp. Watch where you’re going,” she muttered.
His hand shot out and he caught hold of her by her upper arm. She squeaked when he pulled her around to face him. Hallie’s eyes went wide and her free hand flew to her chest.
“What is your problem?” she demanded, yanking her arm free when he didn’t immediately speak up. “I swear, you’ve been on one lately.” There was something in her eyes that said she knew more than she was letting on.
“Talk,” he demanded.
She snorted. “You’re the one who isn’t speaking full sentences?—”
“Why is Wendy avoiding me?”
At that, Hallie arched a brow. “Seriously? That’s what this is about?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a growl reverberating from his chest. The logical side of him knew he was likely blowing things out of proportion. Wendy could very likely be busy. Or something happened and she didn’t know how to tell him she needed space. But she would have told her best friends, right? “Yes, that’s what this is about. She’s not answering my calls and she’s not returning my texts. Any time I see her, she runs off before I can talk to her.”
Hallie folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not a rat, Tripp.”
Tripp ground his molars together, his patience raw. “It’s a simple question. And one I’m sure she wouldn’t care if you answered.”
His cousin snorted with a shake of her head. “Just because you messed things up doesn’t mean you get to demand answers. If she’s avoiding you, she has a reason.”
He opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
“If she’s mad at you, then that’s your problem.”
Stepping toward her he clenched his hands into fists. “We don’t have an issue with communication. That’s actually something we’re decent with. Like the fact that we’re not dating—at least not in the traditional way. She’s free to see other people if she wants. But I still deserve some modicum of respect.”
Hallie searched his eyes as if she were trying to figure out if he was lying. Why would he lie about what he’d just said? It didn’t exactly put him in a good light. Had she realized that he’d left out the detail that he, too, could see other people? It might not even matter. She could assume he wasn’t interested in seeing other people or that Wendy hadn’t offered him the same freedom. Regardless, he wasn’t ready to fill his life with anyone else.
Tripp had officially fallen and all he wanted was one person.
One infuriating, exquisite, adorable southern belle.
Her eyes narrowed. “Like I said, if she wanted to see you, she would. I suggest you send another message or write her a letter.”
He barked out a laugh. “Write her a letter?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Seems romantic, don’t you think? And she’s a little old fashioned in that way. Maybe it would speak to her.”
Continuing to scowl at his cousin, Tripp shook his head. “Just tell me what I did so I can try to fix it.”
Hallie’s eyes softened for just a second, then the mask returned and she shook her head. “No can do. Try someone else.” With that, she stalked off.
Tripp frowned after her. Then a thought occurred to him. Hallie was loyalty personified. There was a chance she didn’t know what was eating at Wendy. But there was also a possibility that she’d never tell him even if she knew every painstaking detail.
But there was one person who’s heart wasn’t built like a tank. And she worked right alongside Wendy every single day.
Tripp strodeinto the antique shop, not at all surprised to see a flash of blonde hair escape into the back.
Serenity glanced over her shoulder when Wendy disappeared before she turned her attention to him. The curiosity in her gaze was instantly squashed and replaced with a flat mask of unreadability, though he could have sworn he saw some pity there for a moment.
He headed right for the counter and braced his forearms atop it. “Okay. What’s going on?”
Serentiy closed the book she’d been reading and pushed it aside. The shop was empty and if Tripp had to guess, Wendy escapedout the back. Then again, she might have just gone to the office and locked herself inside. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she murmured, her eyes darting toward the door that Wendy had taken.
“Yeah, see? I don’t believe you. Wendy has been avoiding me for a full week. She’s done this before, but not to this extent. I know you guys are close. So just tell me why she thinks I deserve this treatment, so I know how to fix it.”
