Serenity stood suddenly, making the other two jump. “And what if he does? How do you know?”
Wendy gaped at Serenity who had never acted so brash with them before.
“He’s been coming into the shop, trying to track her down. What if he wants more but he doesn’t know how to put it into words?” She turned to Wendy. “Or what if he’s scared to admit it?”
Hallie’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you on his side?”
Serenity paled and slowly lowered into her seat.
“This intervention was all your idea,” Hallie reminded her.
Wendy’s eyes ping-ponged from one friend to the other. Intervention? She stifled a groan.
“I’m not taking any sides,” Serenity insisted. “I just think that it isn’t smart to make assumptions. We don’t know what’s going through his head because Wendy has been avoiding him for days.”
If Wendy could, she’d shrink into her seat and drain into the floor.
“She’s allowed to take time to figure things out,” Hallie shot back.
“Iknow.” Serenity was clearly uncomfortable with pointing out her side. This conversation was really beginning to resemble the whole devil and angel on the shoulder thing.
“Well, I think that she should just let Tripp deal with the consequences of seeing other women. If he doesn’t like that Wendy shut him out, then that’s his problem.”
Serenity’s disgruntled and yet exasperated sound echoed through the room as she set her firm expression on Wendy. “And I think that you can’t keep running.”
Wendy flinched again.
“Because he’strying, Wendy. It’s been a little over a week, right? He’s been trying to reach you. He hasn’t given up. That has to count for something.”
“He just wants what he can’t have,” Hallie grumbled.
“Maybe not.”
This little intervention seemed to be a complete failure. Wendy stared at each of her friends as they stared right back. It was as if she were expected to choose a side right here and right now. They both had good points.
Wendy couldn’t deny that Hallie’s opinion struck a chord. If Tripp had wanted her bad enough, he wouldn’t have accepted her request for no strings. But Serenity was more level-headed when it came to opening up a dialogue.
Digging her hands into her hair, she closed her eyes and pushed out all the voices in her head telling her that it would be easier ifshe just hid away and waited for Tripp to lose interest. Because there was one low argument that demanded to be heard.
He hadn’t given up yet. That didn’t mean he’d want more. But it did mean he valued her to a degree.
“You know what I think?” Hallie finally broke the silence. Wendy didn’t bother opening her eyes. “You should go on a date with someone else. Someone who isn’t Tripp.”
At that, Wendy’s eyes flew open and she stared with surprise at her friend.
“What?” Hallie shrugged, almost looking sheepish. “You said yourself that both of you were allowed to see other people. Have you done that yet?”
“No,” Wendy whispered.
“There, see? Whether or not you decide to talk to him doesn’t matter right now. Go out with someone else and see if you feel anything. That way you’ll know one way or the other. If all you can think about his Tripp, then give him a chance. If not…” Hallie shrugged again. “Then you have your answer.”
“Maybe,” Wendy murmured, though that single word tasted vile and bitter. She hadn’t dated anyone else because Tripp fulfilled her in every way. She’d fallen for him. How was she supposed to go out on a date with someone else andnotthink about him?
“You don’t have to,” Serenity murmured. “You can talk to Tripp first.”
Hallie rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue.
“I’ll think about it,” Wendy said quietly.
