Page 134 of Not That Into You

She furrows her brow. “I don’t understand.”

“He asked me, but I said no because I was going to fly home last night. I was going to miss it. But then I stayed, so I could go.”

“Ah.”

“I surprised him.”

“Ha. You definitely surprised him.”

She’s not wrong.

My mom tilts her head. “Why haven’t I heard of this Cameron before?”

I shrug. “We only recently started seeing each other.” Though it feels as if we’ve been together for months. “He’s a friend of Hayley’s.”

“Ah.” She frowns, considering. “Nica, this Cameron sounds stupid.”

“Ma...”

“He’s no good for you. Better to learn this early.”

My shoulders droop. She has a point, but it’s not what I wanted to hear. Especially since it felt so good. When Cameron and I were together, just the two of us, it was so easy and comfortable.

“I know, but...” Wiping the remaining tears off my cheek, I sigh. “I liked him, Mama.”

“Of course you did.” She pats my knee. “He’s an outsider, and you have a soft spot for outsiders.”

“No, I don’t.”

She raises her brows. “Yes, you do.”

I scowl. “No, I don’t.”

“Nica.” My mom shakes her head. “You do. You’ve always been an outsider, so you know what’s it like.”

“Maybe. But Cameron’s not an outsider.” He’s the ultimate insider, who knows everyone, who everyone likes.

“You said his family is snobby and doesn’t treat him well.”

“Yeah.”

My mom spreads her arms as if to say, There you go. “He’s an outsider in his own family.”

I open my mouth but then close it. Didn’t I already conclude that? I know he struggles to fit in with his family. They certainly didn’t welcome him with open arms in the Hamptons.

But whether Cameron’s an outsider has no bearing on how I feel about him. Especially right now when thinking about him makes me want to knee him in the balls and then hide in my room and cry.

“Okay.” My mom stands up. “No more moping. You still have to make me pancit.”

I huff out a laugh before following her into the kitchen.

She glances at me. “With pork.”

Chapter 37

Monica

I frown as my father leans forward in his chair, rests his forearms on his thighs, and interlaces his fingers. His face is creased with worry as he looks at the floor.

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