Page 72 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
“The arroz caldo you made yesterday tasted like hers.”
Placing the pitcher on the counter, she gave me a pointed look. “You fixed the seasoning.”
I grinned. “Oh, yeah. That.”
“That.” She cupped my cheeks in her palms, murmuring, “You remind me so much of her.” Her eyes watered as they traced my face, and mine stung too at her words.
It was the best compliment I’d ever received. Even if I couldn’t see it myself, I’d hold on to it and try to believe it until it came true.
Closing my eyes, I said, “I miss Lola.”
“Me too, Luna.” She enveloped me in a hug, and her familiar citrus-cotton scent brought back memories of being a child again.
No matter how old I was, I’d never get too old for hugs. And Mama gave the best ones.
As she tightened her hold, Inoticed she felt different. She had always been strong, in constant motion, yet she seemed frailer now. It reminded me that as I rushed to grow older, time dragged Mama and Papa along too.
The sobering thought had me snuggling my face deeper into her neck.
“I’m so proud of you,” she told me.
“Really?” To my embarrassment, my voice came out small. Timid. “Even though I’m not doing what you and Papa want me to do?”
Mama drew back, holding my shoulders with her hands, and my eyes with her gaze. “I never want you to do something just because someone tells you to. It’s your life to live. If you want to study management, then management it is.” She raised her eyebrows. “But is that really what you want to pursue?”
This was it. My chance to tell her?—
“What’s going on here?”
We broke apart at the sound of Lonzo’s voice. He stared at us with an expression that was half concerned, half weirded out.
“We were just talking,” Mama said.
Ate appeared behind Lonzo, shaking her head at him. “Way to ruin the moment, Lonz.”
“I was waiting for the spaghetti!” Lonzo protested. “They were taking forever.”
I handed the bowl to him. “Use your muscles and bring this out.”
He grinned. “They’re impressive, right?”
“If you start flexing—” I said, but I was too late. Lonzo raised one arm and showed off his biceps. I rolled my eyes. “There goes my appetite.”
“Jason’s been teaching me his workouts. Maybe I should join the PBA.”
“Alright.” Mama put an arm around his shoulders—a comical sight given Lonzo had to be a foot taller than her. “Can we have just one basketball player in the family?”
Ate and I looked at each other as they walked to the dining table. She pressed her lips together, but they trembled like she was holding back a smile.
Linking my arm with hers, I whispered, “Jason’s part of the family now.”
“Shh,” she hissed. “Don’t start, or Papa might ask us about getting marriedagain. We’ve been together for just over a year!”
“Youarepractically living together, and thisisthe Philippines.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Should I mention how close you’ve gotten to Gabe?”
Thathad me clamping my mouth shut.
