Page 108 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

Muffy cleared her throat. “Do you think I could steal you for a moment, Colin?”

“For?”

Muffy’s gaze darted to and away from Truly. “There was just something I wanted to discuss. Privately.”

Truly inched in the direction of the door. “I’m happy to step out—”

“No, stay.” He held out a hand.

Muffy sighed. “You’re making your guest uncomfortable.”

“He’s not making me uncomfortable. I just don’t want to intrude—”

“You’re not,” Colin assured her. “And she’s not a guest, Ma. She’s Truly. And we have plans today.”

An embellishment. At some point, Colin had to drive back to the city; until then the vague plan was, since last night had gone so well, they’d spend the day at hers.

Muffy’s brows rose. “Is your phone working?”

He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “As far as I know.”

“Then why haven’t you returned my calls? I left you a voicemail and so did your father.” Muffy reached inside the refrigerator and withdrew a pitcher of green juice. “You left the other night before we could talk.”

“I didn’t have anything to say that I haven’t said a dozen times already.”

Muffy huffed. “Colin, what is it going to take for you to let bygones be bygones?”

He straightened. “Maybe I don’t want to let bygones be bygones. You ever think about that? And if I did? If I was open to it? It wouldn’t hurt if you and Dad and everyone else in the family acknowledged that what Caleb did is shitty.”

“Your brother and Ali are perfect for each other,” Muffy said. “Are you really going to begrudge him his happiness?”

It was like watching Colin talk to a brick wall and it pissed her off like no other. If it weren’t for the fact that he was speaking to his mother, she’d have stepped in. But since it was his mother, she scooted closer and rested her hand on his arm instead. Reminding him that she was there and on his side.

“No, I’m not begrudging my brother his happiness, and the fact that you’d even ask me that proves my point.” Colin ran his fingers through his hair and Truly gripped his arm a little tighter. “Three years, Ma. I dated Ali for three years, and five days after she breaks up with me, I walk into her place to pick up a box of my stuff and I find my brother in her kitchen, in nothing but his boxers, drinking coffee out of the mug that used to be mine. It’s not just what he did, it’s how he did it and the fact that he refuses to acknowledge it was an asshole move. No one except Caitie wants to acknowledge it was low, okay?”

“You were broken up,” Muffy had the gall to argue. “And you and Ali weren’t right for each other, but she and Caleb—”

“I think Colin just wants you to acknowledge that his feelings are valid,” Truly said, pulse racing, the hand not wrapped around Colin’s biceps fisted at her side. “And if he doesn’t want to talk to or about his brother, I think that’s his prerogative.”

Muffy straightened, lips pursing. “No offense, Truly, you seem like a nice girl, but this is a family matter. It’s really not your business.”

Gee, if Truly had a quarter for every time she’d heard that in the last two days, she’d... well, she’d only have two quarters. But it was still weird and it would probably be a long time before she could hear the words not your business without the phrase putting a terrible taste in her mouth.

“No, Truly’s right,” he said, resting his chin atop the crown of her head. “I told you I was willing to play nice on holidays and special occasions.”

Which was generous, as far as she was concerned. But again, not her business.

“And does this not count as a special occasion? Your only brother is having a baby, your first niece or nephew. Do you really want to look back in twenty years and regret the fact that you missed out on so many family memories because of a silly grudge?”

A silly grudge? Un-fucking-believable.

“Truly and I’ve got places to be, Ma.” He grabbed her hand, tangling her fingers with his. “I’m happy to talk to you some other time, provided it’s not about Caleb.”

***

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Truly. Baby? That’s the fifth time you’ve asked me since we left.” He laughed. “I’m good. Promise.”

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