Page 79 of The Fallacy of True Love
As I waited for her reply, I sent a message to my mom, letting her know I was staying over at a friend’s and that I’d be home for breakfast.
Mama
Alright. Take care, Lonzo. See you tomorrow.
I looked up, and there Maya was, striding toward me, her mouth set in a tight line. As she came closer, I noticed the dullness in her eyes and that her nose seemed red.
“Where’s the food?” Yanking the chair opposite mine, she sat, carefully avoiding my stare.
“It should be out in a bit.” I leaned across the table and asked, “Are you?—”
“Don’t.”
I swallowed. “You want chocolate?”
“Did that work on your ex?”
“My sisters.” Luna, to be exact.
“Right.” Her gaze settled on our table number and seemed to see right through it. “I thought I was done caring what people think about me. For the most part, I am. But being back here and hearing those girls…”
I nodded. “People can be mean, especially when they’re in groups.”
“It’s not just that. It triggered memories I wish I could erase.” Looking up, she gave me a humorless smile. “You won’t guess it, but I used to have a bunch of girlfriends.”
“Yeah?”
“Shocker, right? They taught me I was better off flying solo.”
“You’re not exactly solo, are you?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You have Nikki and Eric. Jo. They’d ride or die for you.”
A smile curved her lips the slightest bit. “They would.”
“Now you also have this city guy in your corner.”
She snorted and shook her head. She neither denied it nor thanked me, and yet I knew I’d gotten to her. When her shoulders loosened and her chin tipped up, I felt like I’d scored a point.
A waitress came over and unloaded her tray on our table.
Maya’s brows winged up. “You hungry or what?” she asked as she moved the plates around so the tapsilog was in front of her.
“These are for the two of us. You have to try their mais con yelo—it’s the best.”
“I gave you money for one thing.”
I fished out the cash from my pocket and passed it to her. “My treat.”
She didn’t move to take it. “I’m not your charity case.”
“Never said you were. But I convinced you to switch rentals, so you should use the money for the new one. Think of it as a welcome gift, like how Nikki gave me those pastries at the fair.”
“Thanks, but I’m good.”
I shook my head and kept the money. “So stubborn.” I’d find another way to return it to her.
