“I’ll think about it.Thank you,” she murmured, and Tripp knew she was only hesitating because of the awkwardness between them.He’d hurt and probably confused her by pulling away without an explanation.But he couldn’t think of anything good enough, and didn’t want to outright lie to her.Lying to her by omission was bad enough.
“Got any plans for the day, or will you be hanging out here?”his dad asked.
“I’m actually due in town at the library at nine,” Willow said.“I’m volunteering there a couple times a week until at least the end of summer.”
“Oh, fantastic.Do you need a ride?—”
“I’m taking her,” Tripp said, maybe too quickly.
“Of course.What about Rufus?It’s gonna be another hot one.Think he’d be okay with me until you’re back?I was planning a long walk in the woods.Nice and shady in there.He’ll be cool and have even cooler company.”He gave her his most charming smile.
She laughed softly.“If you wouldn’t mind, that’d be awesome.I can’t take him in the library with me, and I don’t want to leave him at my place right now.”
“It’s no problem at all.”His dad smiled down at Rufus.“Are we gonna hang out and go for a walk together?”Rufus eyed him dubiously.
“I’m meeting Blaine after.He’s going to help me install a security system and cameras at Willow’s place,” Tripp said.“Not sure what time we’ll be back.”
“No worries.Take your time.It’s not like I have anywhere else to be,” his dad said.“Gimme a call if you want an extra hand installing everything.I’d be happy to come down and help out.”
He really was the best man Tripp knew.“All right.Thanks.I’ll make us dinner when I get back.”
“I’ll help,” Willow said.“Least I can do.”
“Or, you two could stay in town after Willow finishes her shift and have dinner down at the waterfront somewhere,” his dad said.“Might as well take advantage of the good weather while it lasts, because the rain’ll be back before we know it.”
Tripp looked at Willow, struggling to get a read on what she was thinking.“We’ll see how she feels later on.”And see how awkward things still were between them.“Want to head out a bit early and grab something in town before I drop you off?”
“Sure, that sounds good.”She bent and wrapped her arms around Rufus’s furry neck.“Bye, handsome.Be a good boy for Mr.Rawlings, and I’ll see you later.Love you.”
Rufus kissed the end of her nose, making her laugh.Tripp felt a sharp twist in his chest.The thought of losing her again when she’d just reentered his life and seemed to want him too, was crushing.
She hurried out of the shop.“I can’t look back at him.I feel too guilty that he thinks I’m abandoning him.”
“He’ll be fine.”He put her in his truck and got in to start the engine, searching for something to say to fill the sudden silence.“How’d you sleep?”
“Not bad.You?”
“Same.”Lies.“Anything from Rafe yet?”That was a much safer topic.
“No, nothing.You sure you don’t mind looking after the security system for me?”
“Not at all.I need to see Blaine to check on his mantlepiece installation anyway.”
“Okay.I’ll text you as soon as I’m done with my shift.”
All he could think about was that kiss.How she’d felt in his arms.How much she’d seemed to want him.And how much more he wanted of her.
Everything.
“What do you feel like for breakfast?”he asked as he turned onto the highway leading south toward Whalebone Cove.
“Just a pastry and an iced coffee.”
“We can do that.”
He drove them to a family-run bakery in town along Harborview Road.They ordered a freshly made raspberry Danish and apain au chocolatplus two iced coffees, and took them to go.
Spotting a bench in a patch of shade under a large red maple along the promenade that ran the length of the waterfront, they snagged it and split the pastries.He was enjoying her company, and grateful that she seemed to still be willing to be friends.
