Page 42 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

She wasn’t a coward. She wasn’t. She was just... exercising self-preservation. Being responsible and—and mature.

Fifteen excruciating minutes passed without a reply. Fifteen excruciating minutes during which Truly worried her thumbnail down to the quick while waiting for her ancient-ass coffeepot to sputter out twelve ounces of sludge.

Her phone dinged and she leaped across the kitchen, scrambling to snatch it off the counter.

Colin (1:03 p.m.): I wasn’t offended.

Colin (1:04 p.m.): For what it’s worth, maybe you should cut loose more often.

Oh sure, because tipsy Truly was a riot.

Truly (1:06 p.m.): Just do me a favor and don’t let it go to your head, McCrory.

A half an hour later, just as she was about to hop on a call with her agent, Colin finally responded.

Colin (1:41 p.m.): Wouldn’t dream of it, St. James.

***

For some reason, he kept texting her.

Wednesday it was a recipe for cow cod soup, which, lo and behold, contained, to her immense disgust, bull pizzle.

Colin (11:31 a.m.): Cow cod and bananas and Scotch bonnet peppers cooked in a white rum sauce. Apparently, it’s a rural delicacy in Jamaica. Who knew?

Truly (11:34 a.m.): Good for them! I’ll pass. ??

Colin (11:37 a.m.): Pizzle is low in cholesterol and high in protein, calcium, and magnesium. It’s thought to boost stamina.

Why that brought a fond smile to her face would forever remain a mystery.

Truly (11:38 a.m.): Are you seriously looking up facts on pizzle during your lunch break?

Colin (11:40 a.m.): No, I’m texting you during my lunch break. I looked those up during a particularly lengthy call with a client that should’ve been an email.

Truly (11:41 a.m.): Shame on you, McCrory. Not giving your clients your full, undivided attention? Tsk.

Colin (11:42 a.m.): I’m great at multitasking.

Colin (11:43 a.m.): Apparently cow cod soup is thought to be an aphrodisiac.

Truly (11:45 a.m.): hahahahah no.

Truly (11:46 a.m.): Also, your pickup lines need work.

Colin (11:49 a.m.): Not a pickup line. If I was using a pickup line on you, you’d know it.

Colin (11:50 a.m.): But also, noted.

Thursday morning it was a picture of an extra-large to-go cup of coffee, a rain-soaked sidewalk out of focus in the background. No actual text message, just Colin’s big hand wrapped around the cup, fingers long, and his knuckles thick.

Truly zoomed in on the side of the cup and laughed—caramel macchiato with an extra pump of vanilla syrup, two pumps dark caramel sauce, and mocha drizzle. And he’d given Caitlin grief for her coffee order.

Truly (9:27 a.m.): Looks like someone has a secret sweet tooth.

Colin (9:35 a.m.): It’s your fault.

Her brows rose. She couldn’t wait to hear how he was going to spin this.

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