Page 55 of Truly, Madly, Deeply

Lulu (11:42 p.m.): i’d just hate to see you let what could be an amazing opportunity pass you by because you’re scared

She wasn’t scared. She was... discerning. She had self-preservation.

She cringed.

She had self-preservation except for when it came to Colin McCrory and Instagram.

Truly (11:43 p.m.): You’ve given me a lot to think about. Thank you.

Lulu (11:43 p.m.): ugh code for you’re gonna ignore me

Lulu (11:44 p.m.): whatever let the record show i tried

Lulu (11:44 p.m.): you’re lucky i love your stubborn ass ??

Truly (11:44 p.m.): Love you, too. Even though the way you text makes me want to strangle you ??

Lulu (11:45 p.m.): ????

Truly flipped back to her conversation with Colin, frowning at the wall of unread texts that awaited her.

Colin (11:32 p.m.): I’m sorry if my last text crossed a line.

Colin (11:33 p.m.): See, the problem is, I’m not really sure where the line is?

Colin (11:33 p.m.): I’m hoping you’ll tell me.

Colin (11:34 p.m.): But if you’d rather this whole conversation be another one of those things we pretend didn’t happen, that’s okay, too.

Colin (11:35 p.m.): Cards on the table, I’d rather it not be something we pretend didn’t happen.

Colin (11:36 p.m.): But I’m following your lead.

Colin (11:42 p.m.): Sorry for the sexiest text.

Colin (11:43 p.m.): That was supposed to say sextuple, not sexiest. Fucking autocorrect. You know what? To keep what remains of my dignity intact, I’m going to say goodnight. So, goodnight.

She frowned. Apparently, she didn’t have the market cornered on overthinking.

Truly (11:46 p.m.): You’re fine. No lines crossed.

Truly (11:47 p.m.): And let’s not discuss dignity when I’m the one who liked a photo from 158 weeks ago.

Three dots danced across her screen, stopping and starting as Colin typed, either writing the world’s lengthiest text or deleting what he’d already written. Finally, her phone vibrated, a new message appearing on the screen.

Colin (11:52 p.m.): So, I take it we’re not pretending it didn’t happen?

What was the use when they both knew otherwise?

Truly (11:53 p.m.): I think at this point, pretending would be silly.

Colin (11:55 p.m.): It was already silly.

She rolled her eyes. He sounded like Lulu.

Who, Truly could begrudgingly admit, had a point. Not that she was ready to take that flying leap of faith Lulu talked about, but Truly could take a baby step.

A teeny-tiny one.

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