“You honestly thought I was going to stay in New York? Leave my husband and my stepdaughters? What iswrongwith you!”
“No one knows,” Colin replied, waving away Nate’s question. “Besides, that’s Joshua’s department. He’s in charge of whatever’s wrong with me this week.”
“Full-time job if you ask me!” Nate muttered, but Colin only laughed and tossed a pillow at him.
“Now, now,” Joshua warned. “Be nice to the love of my life.”
“Yeah. Beniceto Joshua’s honey,” Colin teased. “And I said I’d apologize when I saw you back in your classroom. I haven’t seen that yet.”
“Well, meander down to the university on Monday, and youwill!”
“Not worth the trip. I have court on Monday. I’ll take your word for it and apologize now.” He pressed one hand to his heart and bowed. “I humbly apologize, Natey-baby. You went, you conquered, and you returned. I’m proud of you.”
“Are you really, Colin?” Nate countered.
“Of course he is!” Joshua told Nate, laughing. “He was scared to death that we’d lose you to the Big Apple ifAutumn’s Pridewas a success.”
Colin shot Joshua a look. “Well, I wouldn’t gothatfar.”
“Oh, comeon!”
“I was mildly concerned at best.”
“Scared todeath!”
“Slightly disquieted,” Colin countered with a quick grin.
“So obnoxious!” Nate muttered, shaking his head.
“I am not obnoxious!” Colin insisted. “I’m sweet as pecan pie.”
“Is that how you’d describe him, Josh?” Nate asked.
For a moment, Joshua was silent, then he shrugged. “I have many ways of describing Colin,” he said, his voice thoughtful.
“Give us your favorite, Josh,” David encouraged. “I’d like to hear it.”
Joshua drew in a deep breath. “His…” he began, then faltered.
“Say it, baby,” Colin encouraged. “And be honest. I won’t be pissy, I promise.”
Joshua met Colin’s eyes, then he turned away and again drew in a deep breath. “His heart is pure,” he said, his voice pitched low. “And his intentions are honorable.”
There was a long silence in the room, and Joshua could hear Colin’s swift intake of breath. “Jesus,” he said finally. “Jesus, Josh. That’s… that’s….”
“… extraordinary,” David finished.
“But, sadly, not altogether true,” Colin murmured, his eyes still locked on Joshua.
“Oh, I think it is true,” Nate said, drawing Colin’s gaze. “Josh isn’t saying you’re perfect, Colin. He’s not saying you don’t ever make mistakes. You do.”
“God knowsthat’s true!” Colin agreed.
“But you have a purity of spirit that’s almost childlike,” Nate continued. “And like Josh, I believe your intentionsarehonorable.”
“So my heart is great and also pure?” Colin asked Joshua, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
“It is.”
