I broke my side of the bargain last night.
I slept with his best friend.
And the worst part? I want to be consumed with nothing but regret, only what’s in my head is a whole lot more chaotic and crazy. It’s half regret and half desire.
But here’s the bottom line: it can’t happen again. There are some things I can’t risk losing.
Xoxo
Truly
Truly: Oomph. Nothing like having your words come back to haunt you?
Charlotte: You wanted tough love.
Truly: Yeah, that’s what I needed to see. I worry what would happen to his friendship with Malone if I let anything go further. What if we went out and it ended badly and caused a rift?
Charlotte: That is a real risk.
Truly: That’s why I can’t go down that slippery slope. I need to just focus on business. Not stupid lust.
Charlotte: Lust isn’t always stupid. Sometimes it’s exactly the opposite. That said, can we talk about the big issue?
Truly: Funny, I thought that was the big issue.
Charlotte: The big issue of how exactly you plan to pull off going to weddings together, being his fake date, and all that. You do know what happens at weddings?
Truly: People get . . . married?
Charlotte: And other people get . . . frisky. Picture this: dancing, toasting, WITNESSING DECLARATIONS OF LOVE AND AFFECTION. I’m sure going to one with someone you’re trying to keep your hands off will be as easy as resisting the seven-tiered wedding cake.
Truly: I can resist cake.
Charlotte: You’re a stronger woman than I.
Truly: You’re right. And you know what? I’m not that twenty-two-year-old anymore. I’m not that girl who struggled to talk to her own brother after he broke up with someone. I’m a goddamn adult, and my relationship with him is important. It’s one of the most important in my life. I’m going to see if Malone is busy.
Charlotte: Go for it. That’s an excellent resistance plan.
Truly: Hey, knucklehead! Want to grab coffee before I head to the restaurant supply store?
Malone: If you’re buying, and if by coffee you mean coffee plus eggs and potatoes.
Truly: My, my, someone’s a growing boy.
Malone: Yes, I’m having a growth spurt at age thirty-five. Are you too?
Truly: Oh no you didn’t! Did you really just remind me of my age?
Malone: No, I reminded you of MY age. I can’t help it if you happen to be nearly as old as your older brother.
Truly: I am and always will be younger, by an astonishing FIVE WHOLE MINUTES. And you are evil. Good thing I love you. Meet you at Wendy’s Diner in twenty?
Malone: I’ll be there with a glass of milk to help my bones grow faster.
Truly: Awesome. Also, I have to meet Jason after that. I’m helping him with a work thing.
Malone: Are you going into the men’s advice business or the groomsman-for-hire business? Because as much as I think you can do anything, I’m not sure either is the right path for you on account of your not being a man. Just a friendly tip.
Truly: Thanks for the sage advice. So helpful. By the way, I love you. Just wanted to say it again.
Malone: You’re such a goofball. I love you too.
11
I’d like to say I don’t flirt, but it’s too hard to resist.
When I find Truly ogling shelves of shot glasses, I point to the floor. “I believe I was told you’d be on your knees. ‘Genuflecting before the glasses,’ wasn’t it?”
“It’s called a metaphor. You use it to creatively express how you feel about something.”
“Let me creatively express how much I was looking forward to seeing you on your knees—like a die-hard Yankees fan looks forward to spring training.”
“Good one, since I do enjoy the arrival of spring training.”
