Page 72 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

Little show? Interesting way to describe 3.1 million subscribers and a Spotify exclusive contract.

Truly kept her smile pasted in place. “Oh, yeah? How sweet of her.”

“That’s our Caitlin,” Muffy said. “A total doll.”

Colin rolled his eyes.

“Such a doll,” Truly said. “Anyway, I should probably—”

“Are you renting a place on the lake?” Muffy asked. “With all these Vrbo and Airbnb sites cropping up, it’s hard to keep track of who owns around here and who doesn’t. It’s been a real point of contention with the HOA.” She laughed. “I think there’s been more noise complaints in the last year than ever before.”

Truly glanced down at her outfit—a short-sleeve, lightweight cream-colored cowl-necked sweater, ironed khaki capris, and pale blue Sperry Top-Siders with clouds on them—and wondered what about her screamed noise complaint. “Oh, you’re on the association?”

Her parents disdained the HOA. Cop lite, Dad called them. Mom just said they all suffered from inferiority complexes. Truly was pretty sure they were one and the same.

“I am. But you know, I like to think I’m a cool board member,” Colin’s mother said, shoulders shimmying. “So, are you? Renting?”

Colin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ma—”

“It’s fine,” Truly said, reeling. She had no business finding it sweet that he called his mother Ma. “No, my parents own a house over on Foxglove Lane. It’s the blue house with the dark green shutters and the mailbox shaped like a—”

“Shark!” Muffy clapped her hands. “The Livingstons! Your parents are Diane and Stanley? Well, golly. Why didn’t you just say? I’d have spared you the interrogation. It’s a close-knit community, but I’m sure you understand.”

“Totally,” she agreed, withering a little on the inside. Writhing. “Anyway, I should probably—”

“How are Stanley and Diane doing? It’s been ages since we last caught up. Don’t you dare spare a single detail.” Muffy wagged a finger. “Tell me.”

Colin tugged on her arm. “Ma, come on. Truly’s busy.”

“She’s shopping, Colie-kins.” Colie-kins? Yikes. “How busy could she be?”

“I mean, I should probably—”

“Are your parents in town?” Muffy asked, steamrolling her. “Or are you by yourself?”

“Uh—”

“You can’t just ask someone that,” Colin said. “It’s creepy.”

“It’s fine. My parents are arriving tomorrow.” It was easier to say that than explain to a stranger that her parents would be arriving separately and only because she’d tricked them into coming here. “I’m just stocking up on the essentials before they arrive.”

Muffy frowned. “You’re all by your lonesome tonight?”

Her eyes flashed to Colin, who was looking at her curiously. “I—yes?”

Muffy tutted. “Well, that just won’t do. You’ll have dinner with us.”

She could scarcely think of anything more awkward than joining Colin and his parents for dinner after leaving him on read.

“That is so kind of you, but I’m sure you already have plans.”

“Nonsense.” Muffy McCrory batted at the air. “Tell her she’s welcome, Colin.”

“If she doesn’t want to come, Ma—”

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” she said, pleading with Colin with her eyes. “I just...” She didn’t know how to finish that in a way that wouldn’t be saying too much in front of his mother. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be,” Colin said. “Imposing.”

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