Wendy looked around as if she’d be able to find a reason to take off and run from the friend she’d probably embarrassed just as much as the culprit she’d set her sights on.
Nothing.
“Okay, now you have to talk. I was willing to let you brush it off but that was before he came over to talk to you. Have you guys met before?” Serenity didn’t shy away at all. Maybe it was the fact that she’d already been married—already had kids—already grown up from childish grudges.
Wendy winced. “No…” she hedged.
“Is that a question?” Serenity whispered.
“No,” Wendy muttered stronger this time. “I haven’t met him before.”
“Then what was that all about? I’ve never seen anyone react to Tripp that way. Most of the women here?—”
“That’s just it, isn’t it?” Wendy stammered. “Apparently in Rocky Ridge, the girls who know him love him.”
One day, you’ll love me. His voice echoed in her head.
She shut her eyes to fight it off and shifted her feet. When she opened her eyes, she found Serenity staring at her with concern but more than that, expectation. Wendy cleared her throat and flashed a smile. “The thing is, I’m not like other girls. You know me,” she said playfully. “I don’t go out all that often. I have particular tastes and hischarm,” she spat that word with disgust, “doesn’t work on me.”
Serenity’s eyes narrowed. Then she glanced over her shoulder toward Tripp where he still spoke to Hallie. At that moment he turned his attention to them. The smile that spread across his face was a knowing one. Like he could tell they were talking about him.
Wendy fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him. She nearly succumbed when Serenity returned her attention to their conversation.
“Are you sure there’s nothing else going on? Because Reese says Tripp will behave, but I don’t want to force you into a situation if you’re uncomfortable.”
Wendy stiffened. Interesting. Tripp didn’t even try to tell them that he hadn’t done anything. Her eyes flicked toward Tripp butonly briefly. What game was he playing at? She hadn’t been thinking of repercussions when she’d tossed the lemonade at him—repercussions of him tattling on her. She shrugged. “If he promises to behave, then fine. I don’t care as long as he doesn’t overstep.”
“Okay.” The first hint of a smile returned to Serenity’s lips. Then she cocked her head. “What…” she let out a nervous laugh. “You gonna tell me what he said to make you throw your lemonade in his face?”
Blushing again, Wendy looked away. “I’d rather not. It’s okay, really. I just wasn’t expecting anything so forward.” It was a weak excuse and she knew it. Thankfully, Serenity got the hint and changed the subject.
“So… how’s the book coming?”
Her head snapped up. Book?
Oh, right. Book.
Wendy rolled her lips between her teeth and chuckled. “I have some ideas, but I haven’t started anything yet.”
“Isn’t that what you said last time?” Serenity’s voice was light. There was no judgment. And yet, that was exactly the way Wendy felt.
Judged.
They’d discussed at length how much Wendy wanted to become an author. But how could she get there if she couldn’t get past the block in her head? Part of her wondered if the block had more to do with fear than anything else.
But what did she have to be scared of?
Clearing her throat, Wendy shrugged. “I don’t want to start until I have all the ideas mapped out. It’s a long process. You probably wouldn’t understand.”
Her friend’s happy expression faltered and once again, Wendy felt guilty.
She needed a reboot. A fresh start.
Wendy reached out and squeezed Serenity’s arm. “The second I start, I’ll tell you. You’ll be the first person to read what I have.” She forced a smile, the anxiety about the looming project trickling into her chest.
She still dreamed of being an author but there was so much to think about in order to get there. The dream she once had was starting to feel harder to grasp.
Serenity pulled her in for a hug. “Deal,” she whispered.
