Page 11 of The Fallacy of True Love
“It took him a while,” Papa commented. “He asked us for permission months ago.”
No wonder Papa kept bugging them about getting married. It had started when they moved in together last year, but it had escalated in the past few months. I had to give Jason props for asking our parents beforehand—it definitely earned him bonus points with our dad.
Laughing, Jason said, “I wanted to do it when we could celebrate with everyone. Since Luna and Gabe were planning to come here for Christmas, I figured it was the perfect time.”
“He’s had the ring since July,” Luna told Tala.
I blinked at Luna. “Wait, you also knew?”
She nodded. “Jase asked for my input on the design and let me check the fit during one of his trips."
My mouth dropped open. “So I’m the only one who didn’t know?” I’d had my suspicions, but I wasn’t sure it was happening since Jason had never told me outright.
He grimaced. “Sorry, Lonz. I wanted to tell you in person that time we were supposed to play basketball but didn’t get another chance after our plan fell through.”
By that, he meant I’d canceled on him last minute because I needed to study for my criminal law class after messing up the previous recitation.
“Then with my travels the last couple of weeks?—”
“It’s okay,” I told him. “The important thing is you guys are finally getting married.” It would have been nice to be in the loop, though. We both had phones. He could have shot me a text. I’d have made time to meet up with him.
Then again, the guy was a celebrity and an environmental scientist. He was busy doing things, going places. How could I blame him for not catching me up on his plans? Anyway, it wasn’t the first time I was the last to know about things.
“I had no idea either,” Tala said as if she sensed my feelings. “We were supposed to talk about it in January.”
“We will be talking about it in January,” Jason replied. “In a lot more detail.”
The conversation moved to potential dates and locations for the wedding. Tala wanted to get married in the Philippines, preferably at a beach. Jason didn’t mind where they did it as long as it happened ASAP.
As they discussed the possibility of a summer wedding, my thoughts drifted to the year ahead. Tala was getting married. Luna was launching a side gig with her friends in the next few months.
Both my sisters were living their best lives, and I was happy for them. They deserved to live out their dreams.
But that didn’t mean I wasn’t jealous of them too.
Cam
“Ma, I don’t want to sleep yet,” Jo whined even as her eyelids drooped.
“Santa won’t come if you’re awake. You know that,” Nikki said.
“But Tito Eric and Tita Cammy are still here. Milo too!”
Nikki and Eric exchanged a look, and Eric gave her a subtle nod.
“If you go to bed now, Milo can keep you company the whole night,” Nikki told Jo.
She perked up. “Really?”
“Yes,” Eric said. “I’ll even give you a piggyback ride to your room.”
“Okay!” Jo came over and gave me a hug. “Night, Tita Cammy.”
“Night, Joey girl. Merry Christmas.”
“C’mon, Milo,” she called as she climbed onto Eric’s back.
Milo and Nikki followed them to the bedroom. I watched them go and it hit me once again how much they looked like a real family.
