Page 92 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

The lake house had been suspiciously quiet when she’d led Colin in through the back. A note left on the island addressed to Truly clued her in—Dad had gone for a drive to give everyone a little space to cool off. Mom was out front, ripping weeds from the flower bed.

“That’s going to take at least twenty minutes.” She held the pants out to him. “It’s either these or my sweats that have Baby Girl written on the ass. Your choice.”

“Jesus Christ,” Colin muttered, ears flushed the same color as the pants he snatched from her. “Look, I’m not opposed to experimenting with a little light humiliation if you are. But I’m just saying, maybe we should keep it relegated to the bedroom.”

As expected, the pants hit him about mid-calf. He set his hands on his hips and heaved a beleaguered sigh. “All right. Lay it on me. How ridiculous do I look?”

Not that ridiculous, actually. If it weren’t for the word Juicy printed on his butt—which, hello, where had he been hiding that peach of an ass? God, she wanted to sink her teeth into it, which was probably weird, but whatever—she’d tell him to keep them. They looked better on him than they’d ever looked on her.

“Take a look for yourself.” She swept a hand out at the mirror hanging over the back of her door. “I think that might be your color.”

He adjusted himself, dragging down the crotch of the pants so he could walk more comfortably, and headed for the mirror. He frowned at his reflection, turning to the side. “Huh. My ass doesn’t look half bad.”

That startled a laugh from her, not at all the reaction she’d been expecting. “You got dumps like a truck, McCrory.” She reached for his hand and led him back out into the living room.

Mom was seated at the table, straw sun hat discarded beside her and a glass of lemonade in her hand. She looked up when they entered, expression frosty, leaving no doubt that she was still upset. She looked away, then did a double take, eyes widening as she spotted Colin over Truly’s shoulder. “Truly. Who is this?” Her brow furrowed. “And why in God’s name is he wearing your pants?”

Colin groaned under his breath.

“Mom, this is Colin McCrory. Colin, this is my mother, Diane. And he’s wearing my pants because his were wet from swimming.”

“The boy you said you hated?” she stage-whispered, a gleam in her eye. “Your father owes me twenty dollars.”

Colin’s cough did nothing to disguise his laugh.

“I never said I hated Colin. And what about twenty dollars?”

Mom was an actress, a great one. But Truly could see right through her façade of faux confusion, all big eyes and frowning lips. “I could’ve sworn I remember you saying you hated him and then I told you hate was a strong word and you told me that’s why you used it.”

Mom smirked and Truly was no mind reader, but she was willing to bet Mom was thinking something along the lines of: payback’s a bitch.

Truly had to hand it to her—death by mortification was a fine punishment indeed.

Colin reached around her, holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Livingston. Truly’s told me so much about you.”

“Please, call me Diane.” Mom shook his hand. “I’m glad my daughter doesn’t actually hate you. You’re very handsome.”

He looked inordinately pleased. “I can certainly see where Truly gets her beauty from.”

Mom blushed. “You’re a real charmer, aren’t you?”

“I prefer to think of myself as honest.” He grinned and Mom all but swooned.

Truly couldn’t help but beam. A real charmer, indeed. Maybe, just maybe, this day wasn’t going to be a total bust after all.

The front door opened, and Dad stepped inside. “Truly! I was worried you’d walk in here looking like a prune, but—oh. Hello, stranger.” His eyes dropped. “Stranger who is wearing my daughter’s pants.”

“Dad, this is Colin McCrory. He’s going to be joining us for dinner.”

Dad turned and walked out of the room without so much as a word.

She looked at Mom for help. “What’s he doing?”

Mom shrugged. “How should I know?”

Dad came stalking back into the room from the hall, walked right up to the kitchen table, and slapped a twenty-dollar bill down in front of Mom.

She pocketed the cash with a small smile.

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