Page 148 of The Fallacy of True Love
She bit back a grin. “I’ll never tell.”
“I’m going to have to up my game.”
Laughing, she elbowed me. “Trust me, you don’t. Did Cam show you the tatts yet?”
“Which ones?” I’d tracked the ones on Maya’s arms, front, and back, but I still wasn’t sure which one was my favorite. I needed a closer examination to figure it out.
Nikki grinned. “On her feet. She got them at the start of the year.”
I looked out at the beach, where Maya played in the water with Jo. “Not yet. I’ll check them out.”
There was a loud succession of barks, and then Milo came bounding toward us, circling my legs and Nikki’s.
“Hey, boy.” I crouched to give him a nice rub.
Eric stopped beside Nikki and gave her a small smile. “Hi, Nik.” He spared me a quick glance. “Lonzo.”
“Hey, Eric.” My greeting seemed to go unheard as they stared at each other.
Nikki cocked her head. “Are you shy, or are you going to kiss me now?”
Laughing, Eric stepped toward her.
That was my cue to join my girl. “Come on, Milo. Let’s give your parents some privacy.” Slapping my thigh, I led the dog on a jog to the shore.
Preoccupied with Jo, Maya didn’t notice me coming in. I jumped toward her and wound my arms around her waist, splashing her in the process.
She yelped and glared over her shoulder at me.
Jo burst into giggles. “Tito Ally got you good!” she told Maya. Then she squealed as Milo circled her legs.
“I sure did,” I said, pressing a kiss to Maya’s temple.
“Jo!” Nikki called out. “Can you come here for a sec?”
With Milo by her side, Jo went running over to her mom, leaving me alone with Maya.
Maya turned to me and poked a finger into my side. “You could have knocked me over, you know.”
“I’m sorry,” I said as I swept my palm down to her waist. “Are you okay?”
She grunted. “Is this why they say love hurts?”
I froze. “Do you mean…”
Her lips curved in a shy smile. “I never thought I’d do this thing. But apparently you’re my exception.”
My heart threatened to burst out of my chest. “Tell me.”
“I love you, Alonzo.”
Finally. “Of course you do,” I said as if I’d never doubted it.
“Always so full of yourself,” she muttered before I shut her up with a kiss.
Without her saying the words, I’d known she returned my feelings when I found those law books on her desk. Maya valued actions, and her show of support for my dream coupled with her plans to visit me in Manila spoke volumes. But hearing her say the words out loud…
I couldn’t imagine a better feeling than this.
