Page 31 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

“Hey now. I would at least change your name first. Protect the innocent and all that.”

Colin swayed to the side, his shoulder knocking into hers. “What if I’m not so innocent? You ever think about that?”

Another thrill shot through her, making her swallow hard and grip her knees, her whole body buzzing, and not from the caffeine. Did she think about that? More often than she was willing to admit on pain of death. “I’ll definitely use your real name, then.”

His smile softened. “Seriously—do you want to talk about it?”

“I’m sure your penis is nice, Colin, but I don’t know if we need to discuss it.”

“Your parents.” He laughed. “I’m talking about your parents.”

“I doubt I can afford your hourly rate, whatever it is.”

“Come on. I’ll give you the friends and family discount.”

“Oh, so we’re friends now, are we?”

“Considering we were just talking about my dick, I hope so.”

“You don’t really want to hear about my parents.”

“I asked, didn’t I?” He nudged her with his arm. “Come on. I’m a great listener and not to brag, but the Truly St. James said she was impressed by me.”

She snorted. “The bar was on the floor, trust me.”

He clutched his chest dramatically and she laughed.

As loath as she was to admit it, as a divorce lawyer, Colin did have experience she didn’t. With as many failed marriages as he undoubtedly had encountered in his career, maybe he could provide an alternative perspective. Help her see the forest for the trees.

“Okay, this is going to sound corny, but my parents have always been able to look at each other across a crowded room and have a whole conversation with just their eyes. No words. A single glance. While all my friends were dreaming of Prince Charming or whoever, I was dreaming of someone who would look at me the way my dad looked at my mom. Someone who would love me the way he loved her. I don’t know how you go from him buying her sunflowers every week and her secretly taking cooking classes so she could make this obscure soup his great-grandmother made him when he was little to them telling me that maybe they’ve grown apart. Maybe they don’t belong together anymore. It doesn’t make sense. There should’ve been signs, right? People don’t decide to separate without there being signs.”

“Is it possible you only saw what they wanted you to see?”

She frowned. “Are you suggesting their marriage wasn’t as perfect behind closed doors?”

“A lot of parents hide the truth from their children, even their grown children, because they believe they’re protecting them. I’m not saying that’s what’s happening, but...” He rapped his knuckles against his knee and winced. “Do you think it’s possible you only saw what you wanted to see?”

She hugged her arms around herself. “You think I’m looking at their marriage through rose-colored glasses?”

He smiled softly. “Only you can answer that question, Truly.”

“Wow.”

His brows rose, his forehead scrunching. “What?”

“That was rather insightful.” She pretended to glower. “I kind of hate it.”

Colin laughed. “I’ll try to be less astute next time.”

She smiled and—she was smiling. She was talking about her parents possibly divorcing, and she was smiling.

Just like that, her face fell. “Insightfulness aside, I don’t think that’s it.”

“No?”

“They don’t fight. They’ve never fought. And okay, maybe it’s possible I’ve put their relationship on a pedestal, but only because if any relationship deserves to be on one, it’s theirs. But I’d notice if they were suddenly at each other’s throats.”

“Hm.”

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