Page 152 of True Blue

I shifted away, trying not to make it obvious.

“Why can’t all guys be like you?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I chuckled awkwardly, feeling a prickling sensation on my neck. I didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“No, I’m serious! You used to do the little things for me,” Lily grinned at me, shifting closer. “I miss that.”

Again, I shifted down a little further, wanting to put some space between us as I thought of her words.

By little things, I assumed she meant taking her out to eat at the local diner, or buying her flowers every now and again. Those felt like obligations, things my mom reminded me to do because Lily was my girlfriend.

“Yeah, well, I think it is the little things that count,” I smiled as I thought of my girlfriend. “Indie really appreciates the little things. Little snacks or watching her favorite shows. Telling her when an artist is releasing an album she likes and buying it on vinyl for her. Keeping Red Bulls stocked for her. I think that’s one of the most important things in relationships.”

I turned to look at Lily and caught a brief glimpse of an expression that made my stomach tighten. Irritation that shifted quickly to a friendly smile that looked a little too forced. I realized I may have made her jealous by bragging about what I did for my girlfriend.

“You… really like her, huh?”

“I love her,” I smiled, staring off into space and picturing the way I left Indie that morning before work.

Before she left for work, she ran downstairs to the patisserie and grabbed some of those honey cinnamon rolls, my favorite, and coffee. She acted like it was no big deal, but I knew she was looking at a long day of patients, and she still took the time to grab me breakfast.

When I walked her to her car, I pulled her into my arms and just held her.

“I love you, honey,” I murmured against her lips, chest full.

Indie smiled. “I love you too, Teddy bear.”

“She’s… amazing. Brilliant and beautiful. Kind. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met, and I can’t even begin to fathom the work she does at the cancer center. I can’t even imagine how hard it must be. But she does every day with a smile so gentle. She’s…” I trailed off into a sigh, knowing I sounded ridiculous.

But who fucking cares—I’m in love.

“Well, doesn’t she just sound… perfect,” Lily said, and it didn’t hit me till much later that she was being backhanded. “She sounds exhausting, though—her life, I mean. Like when do you guys ever see each other?”

“Oh, we see each other a lot, actually,” I nodded. “After work, on the weekends. She’s really busy, but she always makes time for me.”

“Hm…” Lily hummed, looking sympathetic. “Still, it has to be tough. She’s still a student, right?”

“A resident. She’s finishing up her last year. But… we’ll make it work,” I nodded confidently. “There’s no other option for me.”

Lily flinched at those words for some reason before she schooled her expression.

“Aren’t you scared about being alone all the way across the country?” Lily said, pouting. “I feel so sad thinking about it, Theo.”

I snorted. “You don’t have to worry about me, Lily.”

“But I do,” she stressed, leaning in closer to me. I leaned back a bit to create some space. “I always worry about you. You know, Dorian hated it when I brought you up.”

I blinked, confused. “You… brought me up to your husband?”

Lily nodded eagerly. “Mhm, how could I not tell him about my first love?” she giggled, and I winced at the sound and the words. First love, not quite. “He hated it, but he always talked about his women, so I thought it was fair.”

I winced. That didn’t sound healthy—the marriage, and also, talking about me. I felt a little bad, too. I kind of forgot about Lily until Nana’s funeral.

“I always wished he were more like you. Bindi is so lucky.”

“Indie,” I frowned. “Her name is Indie.”

“Oh! Right! Your mother just called her Bindi, I forgot—silly me,” she laughed, but it petered off when I didn’t join. “Anyway, Indie is a lucky girl… but you do so much for her; what does she do for you?”