Page 140 of The Fallacy of True Love
I let out a breath. She hadn’t said no, then. I was already bracing myself for it, but whatever choice she made, I would find a way to make things work and to support her.
So long as she didn’t close the door on me.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Cam
I hated to admit it, but I was an anxious wreck on Friday. Not even my morning surf could soothe the nerves that kept me on edge. And all because Alonzo was coming tomorrow.
My brain pinged between the code on my screen to thoughts of the weekend ahead, then my eyes would shift to the note I’d received from Alonzo yesterday.
Maya—
Don’t panic, but I told my mom about you. Kind of—I told her I wanted her to meet you. Maybe it won’t be soon, but when you’re ready, we’ll make it happen.
I think you’ll like my family.
By now, you already know I’m going there this weekend. When I told Tala & Jason, they wanted to go too. I held them back, but I’m sure they’ll insist next time. So consider this a heads-up.
I miss the way you glare at me when I annoy you (like now?)—and how you can’t help but smile anyway.
X Alonzo
PS There was a kid selling sampaguitas outside the post office so I included some here. Next time, I’ll give you fresh flowers.
Since he’d sent that first note last Thursday, that meant he’d written this on Sunday, after brunch with his family.
His family, who apparently knew about me.
The guy was unbelievable. I couldn’t imagine meeting his sisters, let alone everyone else.
Though I was curious about them. I’d heard of families whose relationships were built on duty. Alonzo’s family, on the other hand, actually seemed to love each other even though they didn’t always see eye to eye. What a novel concept.
If I did get to meet them, would I meet their standards for Alonzo? I’d seen his ex, and I was nowhere as proper as she was?—
Stop it. That was an issue to worry about in the future.
Needing a break from the screen, I decided to clean my room, never mind that I just did so a couple of days ago. When that was done, I moved to the living area and the bathroom, giving everything a thorough sweep.
Inang arrived as I was fluffing the sofa cushions—something I’d done a grand total of once before. Her eyes rounded. She tsked, shaking her head. “Just friends, huh? Maybe I shouldn’t rent the extra room to Lonzo. He’ll be sleeping in yours anyway.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Is it okay that …”
“Just try to keep it down.”
I winced because we hadn’t been good at that last time.
Snorting, Inang handed a new envelope to me. “Kids these days. I had a feeling about you two.”
“You never saw us together.”
“I saw you walking to the beach that morning.”
I gaped at her. “You were supposed to be sleeping.” Not only that, she had to have looked out the window to watch us leave.
Then again, should I really be surprised? That was how things were here—people got involved in each other’s business.
“You’re not as quiet as you think,” she said. “Read the letter. The house is clean enough.”
