Page 27 of The Fallacy of True Love

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Now that was a nickname I never imagined having, and yet I said, “Sure.”

“That’s a girl’s name, anak,” Nikki told her.

“But he said I could.”

“It’s alright,” I said. “Jo can call me that if she likes.”

“Yay!” Jo bounced on her feet. “You’re tall, right?”

She shifted topics as quickly as a ping-pong ball in play. It was the most fun conversation I’d had in a while. “I guess so.”

“And strong?”

I chuckled. “I like to think I am.”

“Can you can carry me high enough that I can touch the top of the tent?”

“I can do that,” Cam put in.

“Yes, but he’s taller.”

I grinned at Cam’s glare. “I can try. May I?” I held out my hands.

“You’re funny.” Jo stepped forward, but I glanced at Nikki and waited for her nod before I put my hands on Jo’s waist.

As I did, I marveled at the turn my day had taken. Maybe Juana was the perfect cure for a broken heart…or at least the perfect diversion from one.

Cam

Alonzo lifted Jo high over his head with what appeared to be barely any effort.

The girl whooped as she stretched her fingers to the apex of the tent. “Look, Mama. I can touch the top.”

“So you can.” Nikki’s eyes grew glassy. “Good job, Jo.”

“Do you want to take a spin?” Alonzo asked Jo.

She squealed in reply, bobbing her head. Without missing a beat, Alonzo lowered her to his shoulder height and began turning.

“I love him already,” Nikki murmured as she watched him with Jo.

“Go for it.”

Shaking her head, she said, “For you.”

“Not happening.”

“He’s a lot better than any of the guys you’ve hooked up with.”

I grunted, because there was a possibility she was right.

Alonzo gave Jo one last turn and set her on her feet. Giggling, she looked up to me and said, “Did you see that, Tita? I went round so fast.”

“I did, Joey girl. Did you have fun?”

“Yes! Can you move here, Tito Ally?” she asked innocently, eliciting muffled laughter from Nikki.

That nickname though. Priceless.

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