Page 125 of The Fallacy of True Love
Okay, maybe that time he told me to sit on his?—
I shook my head.
The sex was good. Best I’d ever had. But so were the moments we shared while fully clothed. Dodging passersby as we walked the city’s busy streets. Talking as we ate our massive orders of Fil-Mex food. Standing pressed against each other as we waited for a jeepney or taxi on the side of the road. Heck, he’d even made my short stint as a dishwasher good because I could look out the little window in the wall and watch him handling customers like a pro.
I enjoyed Alonzo’s company, whether we were bickering or getting along.
I liked liked him.
And even though I swore I’d never miss anything about Manila, I missed knowing Alonzo was just a jeepney ride away. That no matter how shitty my work day went, he’d be there at the end of it, and we would laugh about our separate experiences with people who tested our patience.
I missed Alonzo, period.
Chapter Forty-Four
Alonzo
I ended up staying the night in Tala’s guestroom, where I managed to squeeze a couple of readings in while waiting for Maya to get to Juana. As soon as I received her text saying she’d made it home safely, I conked out. I clocked in a total of three hours of sleep, then took a cold shower, borrowed clothes from Jason, and grabbed a bite and coffee for the road.
Tala had just dropped me off at school when I got a text from the last person I expected.
Dani
Hi Lonzo. Are you free this afternoon?
Alonzo
Hi Dani, I have class till 1 then work at 2. Everything ok?
Dani
Yes. Can I see you after class? I can bring you to the coffee shop.
Alonzo
Alright. See you then.
I almost said no, but I would only wonder what prompted her to reach out to me after almost two months of silence. Besides, she had been a part of my life for so long that I felt I owed it to her to hear her out. I agreed to the car ride, if only to honor the friendship we used to have.
As I walked to my classroom, I shot Maya a quick good morning text. I’d call her later and tell her about Dani. For now, I switched my brain to focus mode in preparation for class.
When I left the building, Dani’s car was waiting in the parking lot. I headed for the back door like I used to, only for the passenger window to slide open. My jaw dropped as Dani waved at me from the driver’s seat.
“You drove?” I asked, not believing my eyes.
She gave a short laugh. “It was about time.”
I opened the passenger door and got in. “I thought you hated driving.”
“I was scared of it,” she corrected as she put the car in motion. “Honestly, I still am. But I never really tried doing it, you know? At least not outside of driving lessons and practicing around the village.”
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. “What did your parents say?”
“They reminded me that we had drivers for a reason, and it was safer and all that.” She lifted a shoulder. “We argued about it, but I realized I needed to stop letting my fear hold me back.”
I smiled at her. “I’m proud of you.”
“Me too.” Her eyes darted to mine. “Are you alright? I saw you trending on social media. You have your own hashtag now.”
