Page 84 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

Not only did Muffy McCrory not understand the meaning of boundaries, but she was also a complete and total cockblock.

“Lyft exists for a reason,” she grumbled, watching with a frown as Colin stood and tucked himself back inside his pants.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “You’re cute when you pout.”

Whatever her face did then made him laugh.

“Fine. I’ll drive you back.” Truly stood and brushed off the back of her dress. “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Or his family.

Hands on his zipper, Colin paused. He chuckled under his breath and looked up at her with a wicked grin that had her insides fluttering wildly. “What do you say we take the long way back?”

***

The McCrory’s garage was open when Truly pulled up, idling in front of the curb.

“Give your parents my best,” she said, stone-faced.

Colin leaned across the console and with two fingers resting beneath her chin, leaned in, kissing her sweetly, briefly. Parting was such sweet sorrow and all that.

“Thank you,” he said, thumb stroking her cheek. “For tonight.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one thanking you? For...” Her brows rose meaningfully. “You know.”

He huffed softly. “You don’t ever have to thank me for doing that.”

“I’m going to return the favor one of these days,” she promised.

Colin lingered, seat belt still fastened like he was as disinclined to leave as she was to let him. “I’m, uh, I wanted you to know. I’m not seeing anyone else. And I’m not planning on it, either. Just so you know.”

He looked at her, eyes flitting across her face almost as if he was nervous.

“I’m not seeing anyone else, either.” She didn’t laugh, but it was a near thing. “Clearly.”

Colin breathed a barely perceptible sigh of what could only be relief and this time, she couldn’t help herself.

“Did you seriously think I’d be interested in dating anyone else when it took you how long to convince me to agree to go out with you?”

He grinned. “I’m a patient guy.”

“What you are is a handful, McCrory.”

His teeth sank into his bottom lip and his gaze dropped to his lap.

“Get out of my car.”

Colin snickered. “But Truly—”

“Out. Go. Skedaddle.”

“Ooh, I love it when you get bossy.”

She smacked his arm, which only made him laugh harder. “You’re beginning to make me regret agreeing to go steady with you.”

A slow, sly smile spread across his face. “Steady? Do I need to ask your dad for permission to pin you? Wanna wear my letterman jacket?”

Thank God it was practically dark in the car, only a soft glow emanating from the dash, because she had no doubt her face was bright red. “I don’t know what else to call it!”

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