Page 20 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

Oh, he was on thin ice. “For someone who wants something, you aren’t doing very much to endear yourself to me.”

Colin leaned in, dropping his voice. “Tell me you aren’t having the time of your life right now.”

Truly gulped. Audibly. She covered it with a scoff. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t.” Colin smiled. “Now, this time, say it like you mean it.”

She sucked in a breath. “Are you always such a brat?”

Colin shrugged, much closer than she’d realized. Close enough that his shirtsleeves brushed her arms. “Maybe you bring it out in me.”

She scoffed. “How convenient.”

“Maybe it is,” he murmured, lashes casting shadows against his cheeks as he blinked down at her. “What are you going to do about it, Truly?”

A shiver raced up her spine.

“Don’t give me ideas,” she warned.

“Give you ideas?” Colin tutted. “Like I’d give myself that much credit. I bet I just... bring them out of you. Isn’t that right?”

Goose bumps erupted along every inch of her skin.

“This is better than Pay-Per-View,” Lulu whispered.

Truly jumped back and—ow—bumped her hip against the counter.

At least Colin looked equally worse for wear, dazed and embarrassed, one hand gripping the back of his neck, his head ducked, eyes averted. All the better; those things were as dangerous as she’d suspected, practically hypnotic.

“Boo,” Lulu huffed. “Just when things were getting good.”

Colin shot her a weak glare before turning back to Truly. “Truly—”

“You know,” she said, trying to find her footing. Better not to let him finish when her name in his mouth was as good as a weapon. “I’m not sure you’re really sorry.”

What had he apologized for, exactly? That’s right—he was sorry if he’d upset her. Hmph. If.

“Well, that is a conundrum,” he said, tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek.

“Isn’t it?”

“Colin,” Lulu called out, batting her eyelashes sweetly. “Hate to break it to you, buddy, but this store is for paying customers only.”

She looked at Truly and smiled deviously.

Oh, brilliant, devious Lulu. Truly owed her big-time.

“What about her?” Colin jerked a thumb over his shoulder at Truly.

“What about her?” Lulu asked. “Truly buys shit here all the time.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asked, interest clearly piqued. “Like what?”

“None of your business.” Truly sniffed. “I think what Lulu here is trying to say is that if you’d like to patronize this store, you’re going to have to make a purchase.”

Lulu snapped her fingers. “Bingo.” She wandered over to the front window and flicked the sign that read No Loitering. “If you’d like to talk to Truly, you’re going to have to pay the piper.”

Colin stared at her. “If I want to talk to Truly, I have to buy something? That’s what you’re telling me?”

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