“Hi,” I replied coolly. Ignoring him on this island would be uncomfortable for everyone. I didn’t want that for Woods and Della. It was time I moved past this and ended all emotion where Tripp was concerned.
As if he had read my thoughts, he gave me space and didn’t say another word. We walked in silence toward the group, and then Tripp walked off to the right to the bar without a backward glance my way.
Letting out the breath I’d been holding, I went in the opposite direction and found Blaire sipping a fruity drink and talking to Della.
“Rush is a very big fan of the outfit. He said he was eternally grateful to you,” Blaire was saying, giggling, as I walked up. I could only imagine how excited Rush was about the coconut bra and the grass skirt Blaire was wearing.
“Hello, Bethy,” Della said through her laughter. “It appears the men are very happy with the ladies’ outfits tonight. Well, except for Grant. Harlow texted me that she was having a hard time getting out of the hut in it. Grant was being a caveman about her wearing it in public.”
That sounded like Grant. He’d been all fun and games until Harlow walked into his life. Now he was a protective daddy and a possessive husband. It looked good on him.
“So how do you like your hut?” Della asked, watching me carefully. As if she were prepared for me not to love it.
“I think it’s fabulous. So not a hut, more like a personal paradise on water.”
Della glanced over my shoulder and then back at me and smiled. “Good. I’m glad you’re happy. We’ve filled up every hut on the island. I want everyone to be happy with their accommodations.”
“Seriously. This place is amazing,” I assured her.
“Rush and I are staying on the main island,” Blaire said, taking a sip of her drink. “Those huts look fabulous, but once Nate gets here, I wouldn’t be able to sleep thinking about him running off into the water so easily. But the hut they gave us on the main island is beautiful. We love it, and it’s far enough off the water that I won’t be nervous about Nate taking a flying leap into it.”
Blaire glanced over my shoulder, then looked back at me with a frown. “Bethy, what’s going on with you and Tripp?” she asked. Leave it to Blaire to just ask me straight out. I had dodged this question with her so many times I couldn’t count anymore.
“Nothing,” I replied, feeling guilty for not telling her the truth.
“You’re lying to me. I can see it all over your face. Plus, Tripp watches your every move.”
Della had a nervous look on her face. She knew something. She and Tripp were friends. Good friends. He’d been the reason she came to Rosemary Beach in the first place. I had been so incredibly jealous of her. I had hated myself for it, too. Pretending it hadn’t been killing me when she’d stayed at Tripp’s condo had been hard. But then it hadn’t been but a couple of weeks before it was obvious that Della wanted Woods.
“Bethy, look at me,” Blaire said in a low voice.
I glanced up at her, and the concerned frown on her face only deepened. “Did something happen with you and Tripp?”
I was tired of pretending it hadn’t happened. “A long time ago. Before he left Rosemary Beach the first time,” I admitted in a whisper.
Della let out a sigh, and I looked over at her to see relief on her face. She had known. He’d told her. But she hadn’t said anything. Not even to Blaire.
“Thought so. That’s the only thing that made sense,” Blaire said, studying someone across the fire. I didn’t have to look to know she was watching Tripp. “Was it serious?”
“Yes,” I replied. I couldn’t tell her more. I couldn’t tell either of them more. It was a secret that hurt too much to share. It was my biggest mistake. I would never forgive myself. Every time I held Nate and Lila Kate, I knew I would never be worthy of having kids. I couldn’t forgive myself. How could I expect anyone else to?
“But it was a long time ago. Why are you so mad at him?” Blaire asked.
Because he made me question my love for Jace. Because he reminded me that I had something big once. Something huge. He reminded me that what I felt for Jace wasn’t as big. And I hated myself for that. I hated him for it. “I can’t talk about it. Please, just drop it,” I said, unable to look at her.
I didn’t wait for a response. I forced a smile at Della, then turned and headed away from the group. I wanted the darkness for a moment. To be alone. To pull myself together so I could go back and pretend I was OK.
I heard footsteps behind me and walked faster. Blaire wasn’t one to back down. She’d be worried about me now. I just wished for once she’d back off. Let me deal with this alone.
“No, Blaire. I got this,” Tripp’s voice said, stopping me in place.
No one spoke. I wasn’t sure if I should run and cause a scene or deal with this. Facing Blaire was easier than facing Tripp.
“Don’t push her,” Tripp said in a stern tone.
Blaire let out a frustrated sigh. “She needs to talk to someone.”
“And it doesn’t have to be you. She will when she’s ready. Leave her alone.” Tripp’s tone with Blaire surprised me. I turned around to look at Blaire, who was locked in a staring contest with Tripp.
“Fine. But I’m not sure she wants you, either,” Blaire said.
“She doesn’t. But I’m not pushing her to talk.” Tripp took a step to place himself between Blaire and me. I didn’t need protection from my best friend, but the wall I’d built suffered a small crack with that one move.