by Kirk, Cindy
Karla nodded. “He wants us to be a family. Or so he says.”
Adrianna chewed thoughtfully for several seconds, then took a sip of latte. “You don’t believe him?”
“He’s still hung up on his old girlfriend.” A look of sadness swept over Karla’s pretty face. “They’d dated for years. They were even engaged once.”
The scenario reminded Adrianna of Tripp and Gayle. Except Tripp had married his childhood sweetheart. “What happened?”
“She got cold feet. Told him she wasn’t sure he was ‘The One.’ Suggested they date around.” Karla heaved a heavy sigh, her large brown eyes dark with pain. “I got him on the rebound. The day I found out I was pregnant, he told me she’d come to him, wanting to get back together.”
Adrianna’s mouth dropped open and her heart went out to the young woman sitting across the table. “How horrible.”
Karla gave a humorless laugh. “I wished him well, told him I was pregnant and that I’d be moving back home to Jackson Hole.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he wanted to be with me.” Tears filled Karla’s eyes but she blinked them back. “I knew he was only saying that because I was pregnant. He adored Chelsea. In my mind I used to call her Saint Chelsea because I’d never heard him say anything but positive things about her.”
“Is there a chance he meant it when he said he wanted to be with you?”
Karla shook her head. “I found out from a friend that when she told him she wanted him back, they slept together.”
Adrianna reached across the table and squeezed Karla’s hand. “I’m so sorry this happened.”
“It could be worse.” Karla lifted her chin. “At least I have family and supportive friends here. In fact, your boyfriend’s sister, Hailey, is a good friend from high school.”
“What a small world” was all Adrianna could manage to say. Hearing Tripp referred to as her boyfriend still blew her away.
“You’re so lucky.” Karla’s voice was laced with envy. “I wish Justin cared for me half as much as Tripp seems to care for you.”
Adrianna smiled and took a bite of salad. For the next month, pretending was the name of the game.
If only she could stop herself from wishing it was real.
* * *
“You didn’t need to ask me to come with you tonight,” Adrianna whispered to Tripp as they approached the entrance to the Wildlife Museum on the edge of Jackson.
The rustic building was lit up like a Hollywood premiere. Dark-suited men sauntered through the door with women attired in swishy cocktail dresses.
Adrianna hadn’t expected to see Tripp until the weekend. But he’d called her when she’d gotten home from the hospital on Wednesday night and asked her to attend the Thursday event. Because she was supposed to be his girlfriend, how could she refuse?
Besides, she’d heard a lot about the special exhibit that had been brought in and she wanted to be one of the first to see it. And heck, she might as well be honest and admit that she wanted to see Tripp, too.
She’d finally put the kiss into perspective. It had been a momentary lapse on both their parts, fueled by a game that for that moment had seemed a bit too real.
“You look lovely tonight.” Tripp’s gaze lingered on the dark green chiffon cocktail dress and silvery strappy sandals that added another three inches to her height.
She’d considered putting her hair up for the event, but in the end had settled for pulling the sides back with some shimmery clips. “You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself.”
The second the words left her mouth, she wished she could pull them back.
“Spiffy?” Tripp’s lips quirked upward.
Heat rose up Adrianna’s neck. “My father loved the word spiffy.”
“Well, I feel honored that you would use it to describe me,” Tripp said, sounding surprisingly sincere.
There was no more chance for conversation as they walked through the entrance. It appeared the entire population of Jackson Hole had decided to come out for the opening of the exhibit.
There were stations scattered throughout the museum serving champagne and wine. Waiters holding silver trays passed through the crowd offering a variety of appetizers including spinach-and-brie artichoke hearts and chicken-and-pepper egg rolls.
Although Tripp snagged an egg roll, Adrianna shook her head.
“Not hungry?” Tripp raised a brow.
“Not really.” Adrianna grasped Tripp’s arm when a man making his way through the crowd pushed up against her.
“That’s better.” Tripp winked and Adrianna felt heat rush through her.
“Now we look like a real couple,” he added and her warm feeling disappeared as quickly as it had arisen.
Still, it was a good reminder. This wasn’t really a date. This was her—and him—playing a part.
“Are your parents...?”
The question hadn’t even had a chance to leave her mouth when she saw Frank and Kathy across the room. Although Tripp’s father looked a little tired, overall, he appeared better than the last time she’d seen him. His mother, dressed in a black linen cocktail dress, practically glowed with happiness.
Kathy saw her at the same instant. Her smile broadened and she waved, then tugged her husband’s sleeve and pointed.
Almost immediately the two began making their way across the room.
“Your parents are on their way over,” she said to Tripp.
A pleased smile lifted his lips. “Dad must be feeling better if they’re here.”
Adrianna released her hold on Tripp’s arm when his parents drew close. “Mr. Randall,” she said. “Mrs. Randall, how nice to see you.”
A look of dismay crossed his mother’s face. “What have we told you about Mr. and Mrs.?”
Adrianna smiled shyly. “Kathy and Frank, how nice to see you.”
“That’s better.” Kathy surprised Adrianna by giving her a quick hug. “I’m sure my son has already told you, but I’ll tell you again—there’s not a more beautiful woman in this museum tonight than you.”
“Ah, no, actually, he hasn’t said that,” Adrianna said in a teasing tone, gazing up at Tripp through lowered lashes.
“I told her she looked lovely,” Tripp said in mock outrage. “I didn’t want to be too effusive. She might decide she deserves someone better than me.”
“There’s no one better than you,” his mother said, her expression turning serious. “But we women like compliments. Isn’t that right, Adrianna?”
“Sincere compliments are always appreciated.” Adrianna kept her tone light. She’d been such an ugly duckling most of her growing-up years that it was still hard for her to accept she now had a few swanlike characteristics.
“It does my heart good to see you two out together.” Frank may have spoken to both of them but his gaze was fixed on Adrianna.
“Tripp and I have fun,” Adrianna said, not knowing how else to respond.
“You’re exactly what my boy needs.”
If Adrianna was being honest she’d tell his father that she wasn’t sure that was true. Tripp was an outgoing guy, a man comfortable in any social setting. She took her time warming to people and was more shy than gregarious.
“I heard you’re going to help Winn get acquainted with the younger crowd,” his dad said to Tripp.
Adrianna resisted the urge to frown. She’d gotten the distinct feeling that Tripp didn’t care for Winn. Why would he help him get acclimated to the community?
“We talked about it yesterday,” Tripp said, his expression giving nothing away.
“I know you don’t care much for Jim,” Frank said. “But I’m happy you and Winn have hit it off. Jim cares a lot about his boy and your friendship with him will go a long way toward helping you build a good relationship with his dad.”
“Are you and Winn buddies now?” Adrianna asked, unable to conceal her surprise.
“I believe I may have misjudged Winn initially,” Tripp said smoothly
.
“I think we all know why,” Frank said with a laugh.
Kathy and Adrianna both glanced curiously at him.
“Winn was coming after your woman.” Frank gave Adrianna a wink. “That would cause any man to rustle up his spurs.”
“He was simply being nice,” Adrianna murmured, embarrassed by the discussion.
“Honey, that man had his eye on you.” Frank smiled with satisfaction. “But you picked the better man, no doubt about it.”
“Speaking of better men—” Tripp reached over and took Adrianna’s hand “—this man better be doing a little socializing before the silent auction begins.”
After saying their goodbyes, he and Adrianna began making their way through the crowd, stopping every few feet to speak with someone they knew.
Even though Tripp appeared oblivious to the attention they were attracting, Adrianna caught lots of surreptitious glances directed their way. Who would finally capture the wealthy bachelor’s heart had been the subject of much speculation from the moment Tripp had returned to Jackson Hole.
She wondered if he knew all the talk this charade of theirs was generating. Even if he did, she doubted he cared. All that mattered to him was his parents’ happiness. That love of family was one of the many reasons she loved him.
The second the word crossed her mind, she banished it to the hinterlands. She liked Tripp. Liked him a lot. When she was younger, she was convinced she loved him.
Now she realized what she’d felt had been a version of puppy love. He was so cute and so nice, what teenage girl wouldn’t have fallen in love with him? Adrianna now realized there needed to be more to a man than a sexy smile.
To truly love someone, you had to know them. While she and Tripp were casual friends, she didn’t really know what made him tick. Like his suggesting they participate in this charade. Until that moment she hadn’t realized quite how important his family was to him.
No, she didn’t love Tripp Randall. She didn’t know him well enough to love him. For some reason the realization made her feel better.
They’d just finished speaking with the mayor and his wife when Adrianna heard Tripp mutter an expletive under his breath.
“What’s the matter?” she asked in a tone low enough for his ears only.
“Winn Ferris.” His own voice was more of a growl.
Adrianna looked up to see Winn striding across the room with the two of them firmly in his crosshairs. She smiled, then turned to Tripp. “You told your parents you were buddies.”
Okay, perhaps he hadn’t used the word buddy, but what he’d said gave that impression.
“I lied.” Tripp’s jaw set in a hard angle even as a smile lifted his lips.
“Why?”
“I’ll tell you when we’re alone.” Tripp held out his hand when Winn drew near. “Fancy running into you here.”
“This is the place to be tonight,” Winn said smoothly, shaking Tripp’s hand before shifting his gaze to Adrianna. “Aren’t you a vision of loveliness in that dress. You put all the other women in the room to shame.”
“Hello, Winn.” Adrianna couldn’t help but smile. The man was full of it, but she liked his style.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Winn asked solicitously as if she was his date, not Tripp’s.
Tripp’s scowl told Adrianna that fact hadn’t escaped his notice.
“I’m fine,” she said. “It was nice seeing you, Winn.”
Adrianna closed her fingers around Tripp’s arm and spoke to him as though they were alone. “There’s someone I want you to meet.” She turned to Winn. “I’m sure we’ll see you later.”
She didn’t even give Winn a chance to respond, but pulled a quite willing Tripp through the crowd.
“Who do you want me to meet?” he asked, appearing mildly curious.
“No one,” she said.
“No one? You told Winn—”
“Did you want to spend more time with him?” she asked as they turned the corner and entered a room displaying Native American folk art.
“Not at all.”
“That’s what I thought.” Adrianna paused to look at a piece of intricately painted pottery. “Like a good girlfriend, I extricated us from the situation.”
“Well done, Ms. Lee.”
His approving smile sent warmth sluicing through her body.
“I may just have to keep you around,” he added in a teasing tone.
“I’m yours for a month,” she murmured.
Tripp stepped close and brushed a strand of hair that had come loose back from her face. “I have a feeling that time is going to go by way too quickly.”
Her breath stopped, then began again, ragged and unsteady. “What a sweet thing to say.”
His eyes darkened and his hand lowered to her shoulder.
Her body tightened in anticipation. Was he really going to kiss her here, surrounded by all these people?
“There you are.”
Kathy Randall’s words were like a splash of cold water. Adrianna took a step back as heat flooded her cheeks.
“Ohmigoodness.” His mother’s gaze shifted from Adrianna to her son. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Not at all,” Tripp said smoothly. “Adrianna and I were just having a private discussion.”
Frank covered his snort of laughter with a cough.
“When I saw you I meant to invite you both for dinner tomorrow. But it completely slipped my mind.” She shifted her gaze to her son. “I’m making pot roast.”
From the way she looked at Tripp, Adrianna guessed it must be one of his favorites.
“Tomorrow is Friday night, Mother.”
“I know you two will probably be doing something,” Kathy said, not appearing deterred by his lack of enthusiasm. “I thought we could eat early, say around six, which will still give you the entire evening to do, well, whatever it is you have planned.”
Adrianna wondered why Tripp was hesitating. If he wanted to spend more time with his dad, having dinner seemed a perfect way to do it. “I love pot roast.”
“Perfect.” Kathy’s smile was blinding. “We’ll see you at six.”
“What did Winn want—” Frank began.
“Honey,” Kathy said, “we’ve monopolized them enough this evening.” Her eyes began to twinkle. “Let’s let them get back to their, uh, discussion.”
“Sorry ’bout that.” Frank gave his son a wink, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Carry on.”
Adrianna wanted to melt right through the floor.
“I feel like a sixteen-year-old kid caught making out on our living room sofa,” Tripp said, shaking his head. “Except this time, instead of discouraging the intimacy, they’re encouraging it.”
“Did they ever catch you and Gayle making out?” Adrianna wasn’t quite sure why she asked. Unless it was to remind herself that what he and Gayle had shared was special, while what she and Tripp shared was simply a business arrangement.
Tripp gave a halfhearted laugh. “A couple of times.”
Adrianna simply smiled, not sure how to respond.
“How about you?” Tripp asked after a long moment. “Did your parents ever walk in on you and a guy?”
“Actually...” Adrianna paused, embarrassed by the admission she was about to make, yet not sure why. Lots of girls didn’t date in high school. “I never brought a guy home. I wasn’t much into dating when I was younger.”
The sad fact was, boys hadn’t been into her. It was humiliating enough to not have had a date until college without adding that little detail. Even more humiliating to recall once she had started dating how she’d let herself be played, even though she’d been old enough to know better.
“Now that you say it, I don’t remember seeing you at any of the high school dances.”
It was kind of him to act as though he’d noticed her back then, when they both knew she was about as far off his radar as one could get.
“So no make-out sessions on the c
ouch? Ever?”
Adrianna sighed. “Not a one.”
“We’ll have to remedy that situation.”
Adrianna froze. Was he suggesting that they, that the two of them...make out? She resisted the urge to fan her flaming face.
“Start walking.” Tripp took her arm. At her startled look, he smiled. “Mrs. Wieskamp from the hospital auxiliary is headed in our direction. Once she gets started talking about her cats, it’s hard to get away.”
Adrianna liked wrapping her hand around Tripp’s hand. Even though she’d attended several of these types of events either alone or with Betsy or other friends, it felt good to be part of a couple.
Oh, who are you kidding? You like being with Tripp.
By the time the event began winding down, Adrianna had to admit that it was Tripp who’d made the evening memorable. He wowed her with his knowledge of folk art, and with him laughing at some of her pithy one-liners, she felt positively brilliant.
People whom she’d felt uncomfortable with—probably because they were shy like her—blossomed under Tripp’s genuine interest and friendliness. By the time they walked to his truck, she felt as if she’d made some new friends.
“That was fun,” she said, when he reached around and opened the passenger door for her.
“You sound surprised.”
“I guess I am,” she admitted. “Normally these events are a chore for me.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m shy,” she told him, although she felt certain it was something he’d already observed. “It’s hard for me to make small talk.”
Even as he slipped behind the wheel, he shook his head. “You have to be making that up. You appear so at ease.”
Ah, no, that was him.
“Thank you for that compliment,” she said, flushing with pleasure. “But you make it easy. You’re so good with people. You seem to genuinely care.”
“I like people,” he admitted, backing up the truck and heading down the steep drive back to the highway. “And I do care. I guess that’s one of the reasons I’m toying with the idea of running for office.”
Adrianna pulled her brows together and cocked her head. “What office?”
