Tripp tucked his wallet away then eased the growing worry in the pit of her stomach when he wrapped an arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.Her heart squeezed hard.“Tripp?”She needed to tell him this before they left.
“Yeah?”
“I know there’s been a lot of crazy things going on since I got here, but...I’m really happy.”Happier than she’d been in any other relationship.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
At the odd response, she tipped her head back to look into his face.“Are you happy?”
He met her gaze.Lifted a hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, his touch tender but there was something distant about the look in his eyes.“Happier than I probably deserve.”
She frowned.What was going on with him tonight?“Why do you say that?”
“Nothing.”He sighed.“I want to talk to you about something.Alone.”
That...didn’t make her feel any better.But she sensed she shouldn’t push for more right now.“All right.”
She slid out of the booth and followed him through the pub to the front doors.Tripp wrapped an arm around her waist and stopped suddenly before they reached the hostess stand.
Following his line of sight, she spotted Earl standing inside the doors.His gaze cut from Tripp to her and back, his silent disapproval unmistakable.
Oh no...
Earl’s jaw bunched.He seemed to fight some inner battle for a moment before he started toward them.
Willow’s stomach tightened as Tripp went rigid next to her.She set a hand on his arm in silent comfort.She wasn’t sure what their issue was, but she didn’t like how on edge Tripp was around the other man.
Earl stopped in front of them, standing off to the side.“Willow.Tripp.”The temperature in the room seemed to drop when he said Tripp’s name.
“Hi, Earl.”She forced a polite smile, determined to keep things civil and then be on their way.Tripp’s arm was like steel around her.“You here by yourself?”
He nodded once, his gaze straying back to Tripp for a moment and then shifting back on her.“So, you two are together?”
A slight flush hit her cheeks.It wasn’t any of his business, and it was weird that he was even asking.“Uh, yes.”
He looked at Tripp, his expression almost accusing.
“Let’s go,” Tripp said to her.
“You tell her yet?”Earl asked him.
“Tell me what?”she asked, confused.
“Come on.”Tripp pushed her forward a step.
“You really ought to get to know someone better before you get involved with them,” Earl said to her, his tone oddly gentle but still ominous.
She stared at him, the blood rushing to her cheeks.“What?”
Tripp kept walking but she dug in her heels and turned toward Earl.“No, I want to know what he means.”What the hell was going on with him?
Earl held her gaze.“Ask him to tell you the truth.”
“God damn it, Earl,” Tripp muttered.“Willow, let’s go.”
She yanked free of his hold, annoyed at both of them.“What truth?”she demanded.
“Ask him what really happened in Syria,” Earl said.
