Page 85 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

Back when she’d started dating Justin, she’d sort of... assumed. One date had led to another and then he’d moved in and somewhere along the way she’d just started introducing him to everyone as her boyfriend. And that was that.

“Exclusive?” Colin supplied, still grinning. “Or you could just call me your boyfriend.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You aren’t really much of a boy though.”

He had too much chest hair to be called that.

Colin laughed. “How about your boo? Your bae? Your beau? Your manfriend?” He wiggled his brows. “Your lover?”

He let the r roll off his tongue, so exaggerated she couldn’t help but laugh.

“On second thought, we can stick with boyfriend.” It must’ve been her turn to be struck with a case of nerves, because her chest seized, her breathing suddenly shallow. “I mean, if that’s what you want,” she said, aiming for nonchalant and no doubt missing by a mile. “I don’t want to assume—”

Colin gripped her by the chin and dragged her across the console, kissing her until she couldn’t think, until it was just his lips against hers, his breath, her breath, theirs, her concerns melting away.

“Assume,” he murmured against her lips. “Please, assume.”

She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “When can I see you next?”

“Depends on when you’re heading back to the city,” he said. “I know you mentioned earlier that your parents are arriving tomorrow, but I wasn’t sure if that was just to get my mom off your back, or—”

“Oh, no.” Her grip loosened. “It’s... it’s kind of a funny story?”

He frowned. “Okay?”

“Do you remember that conversation we had where I said I wished I could lock my parents in a room together and then I joked about Gerald’s Game, and we talked about The Parent Trap?”

Colin nodded along. “I remember.”

“Well, I started thinking about what you said and about how if I could just get my parents to talk to each other, really talk, I think—no, I know they can fix whatever’s wrong. But with them dead set on taking time apart, they’re only ever together when I’m there, too. As soon as I leave, it’s back to their metaphorical respective corners. It’s too easy for them to hide in the city.” Hide from each other, hide from their problems, hide those problems from her. “But the lake house is relatively remote and it’s full of happy memories.”

Happy memories that would hopefully remind them that the love they had was worth fighting for.

“That’s really great, Truly.” Colin sounded genuinely happy for her. “That’s got to make you happy that they agreed to spend some time out here.”

“I mean, yeah.” She laughed. “If they actually knew what they were agreeing to, it would.”

He laughed along with her, though his laughter was more of puzzled amusement than true mirth. “I’m lost.”

She put the car in park so she could actually turn and fully face him without her seat belt biting into her neck. “I knew there was no way they’d agree to spending time together, so I kind of... conveniently left that part out. Dad thinks I invited him here to see a local production of his favorite show and spend some quality father-daughter time, and my mom thinks the same, except instead of a show it’s antiquing and visiting wineries.”

“I...” Colin blew out a breath. “Is that wise?”

Was it—she sat straighter. “It was your idea. You’re the one who brought up The Parent Trap.”

“It was a joke. It was—I was kidding. You and I, we were messing around. I wasn’t seriously suggesting you trick your parents into spending time together.”

Yeah, well, true words were often spoken in jest. Didn’t he want her to take him seriously?

“They’re not exactly chomping at the bit to spend time together without me pulling strings.”

Colin struggled for a second with his seat belt, the latch sticking. Finally, he managed to free himself and swiveled in his seat, facing her fully.

“And as much as it sucks, and I know it does, that’s their choice,” he said, voice infuriatingly even. “These are your parents, Truly. I know you love them—”

“I’m doing this because I love them.”

So much. She loved them and she loved the love they shared, the love that she supposedly represented.

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