Free Truly Mine by Amy Roe Page B

she asks, looking across the room at the clock on the wall. “Nine thirty? What?” She slithers out of my arms and crawls over me, landing on the floor.
    “Ah…Truly!” I whine at the loss of contact.
    Rushing off in the direction of my guest room, she calls out, “I’m sorry!”
    She’s laughing, and I’d like to cry like a bitch because I know our visit is over.
    Slowly, I bring myself upright and sit on the edge of the sofa before snagging my phone from the coffee table. I have several missed calls, one of which is from Dara. Checking my texts, I find the same. Dara’s text is in regard to Truly, questioning her whereabouts. I don’t respond, only because I know Truly wouldn’t appreciate my honest answer, and Dara knows damn well where she is.
    Standing at the bedroom door, I watch Truly shove clothes into her suitcase and then struggle to zip it closed. I walk to her side and press on the top before easily zipping it.
    “Thank you.” She rushes into the bathroom across the hall. “I can’t believe I slept so late. I was supposed to be on my way home by now.”
    At the risk of looking like a puppy dog chasing on her heels, I follow her to the bathroom. She’s let her long golden-brown hair down, and she is frantically running a pick through it.
    I reach out and brush the hair out of her eyes. “You’re very beautiful. I’m glad you came back, and I’m glad you spent some time with me.”
    She stops what she’s doing to listen.
    “I can see you’ve done well for yourself. I’m proud of you.”
    “Thank you, Ty. Same goes for you.” She lifts herself up on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck. “I never imagined this visit back here would be so…”
    “So…” I softly kiss her on her sweet lips—probably for the last time. “Fulfilling? Satisfying?”
    “Oh, yes. Most definitely, but I was going to say…completely and wonderfully overwhelming.” She smiles sweetly and returns my kiss but then quickly backs away. “I have to go, Ty. Thank you for everything.”

    After dropping Truly off at her car, I head to the office to deal with Dara.
    “Where the hell have you been, Tyler?”
    I’ve just walked into her office, and she’s already pissed at me. My oldest sister is cold as ice. I’m not even sure why. My mother, Nancy, and my two other sisters are sweet and nurturing women. Dara was, too, once.
    When she started high school, something snapped within her. She changed and most definitely not for the better. Her attitude went to shit—so much so that she’s never had a serious relationship, and she’s forty-three years old. It’s insane.
    “Good morning, sunshine,” I taunt her.
    “Fuck off, Tyler.” She’s in rare form today. “I send you to help my client, and twenty-four hours later, I haven’t seen or heard from either of you.”
    “Relax. She’s out front now. Is that why you blew up my phone this morning?”
    She gives me a speculative look and then narrows her eyes.
    After an awkward silence, I remind her that she has a client waiting for her. “I believe your client is in a rush to leave town. You should probably take care of business.”
    “Here.” She hands me a thick manila envelope. “Try not to fuck the client this time, Tyler.”
    I raise my eyebrows and laugh at her accusation. She knows me so well.
    I open the envelope and slide the documents out far enough that I can read the client’s name. Rodney Addison .
    “I can assure you, I won’t fuck the client.” I slide the papers back into the envelope and exit Dara’s office.
    “Send her in, Tyler,” she calls after me.
    Opening the door to the waiting room, I find Truly pacing the floor. She spins around and is clearly disappointed to find me.
    As much as that sucks, I grin politely. “Dara asked me to send you in.”
    “Oh, thank God.” She rushes past me. Just as she reaches Dara’s office, she turns and smiles. “Thanks again, Tyler. It was really good to see you.”
    “Take