Page 143 of The Fallacy of True Love
My confusion was swept away by the tide of disbelief and hope that crashed into me at her admission.
“You know what I was doing yesterday?” Before I could hazard a guess, she exclaimed, “Cleaning! I hate cleaning. I didn’t sleep at all because I was counting the hours until I saw you again. Then you go and bring me mais con yelo because I missed it—and you brought some for my friends too. Who does that?”
I raised my hand, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
“You! The city boy with the amazing family and an incredible career ahead of you. Literally one of the most eligible bachelors in Manila. Our lives are so different that we shouldn’t even exist in the same orbit as each other. And you come here to bring me dessert!”
“That’s not exactly why I’m here,” I murmured.
“I’m not done,” she snapped. And then she threw up her hands. “See? This is how I am. I’m cranky, and I hate talking to most people, and I have no idea what kind of future I’ll have. We couldn’t be more opposite.”
Putting my stuff down, I stepped forward and slowly took her hands, giving her the opportunity to shake me off.
She didn’t.
“You good?” At her begrudging nod, I said, “First off, I can be an asshole at times—I just choose when and who to show that side to. I don’t hate talking to people, but I’m not a fan of small talk and I often get impatient when the conversation is going nowhere. I know where I’ll be a year from now, but I don’t know whether I will be as successful as people assume I’ll be.”
“You will,” she said.
“We’re different in many ways, sure. But we’re similar too. We both love the ocean and we long for the freedom to live our lives on our own terms. We’re protective and loyal to the people we love, whether it’s our friends or family. We’re stubborn. We love to eat. We enjoy sex, especially with each other.” I drew in a breath. “Do you want me to keep going?”
She rolled her eyes. “You just love the sound of your own voice.”
“True, but I love hearing yours more,” I murmured as I brought her hands to my lips and pressed a kiss on the backs of them.
“This is crazy.” Choked laughter escaped her throat. “You know that, right?”
I shrugged. “So what if it is? Normal is overrated.”
“Alonzo.”
Exasperation filled her voice and a frown creased her forehead, and all of a sudden, my emotions burst to the surface.
“I love you, Maya.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Cam
The world receded as my entire being centered on Alonzo in front of me, telling me words I never imagined I’d hear.
He let go of my hands and cradled my face, his eyes, tired yet bright, searching mine. His hair stood out on one side and was flat on the other, and his shirt was rumpled, but he still looked perfect.
Because he was real—and he was here.
The second I saw him get off the bus, it hit me. I wasn’t just falling for him. I was already stupidly, undeniably in love with this guy.
And that realization scared me like I’d never been scared before.
“I love you,” he repeated.
My mouth opened and all that came out was, “You’ve known me for two months.”
He smiled. “Remember when I told you I was only six when I decided to be a lawyer? Everyone thought it was a phase. They said I’d change my mind when I understood what that meant. But you know what? Sometimes you don’t need to have all the facts to know when something’s right for you. Sometimes it’s just a feeling you get deep in your soul. That’s how I felt about law. That’s how I feel about you too.”
I shook my head, overwhelmed by what he was telling me. “For someone whose career depends so much on facts, you’re leaning way too much on feelings.”
“Law’s also about conviction.” He swept his thumb across my cheekbone. “Believing something and fighting for it with your all.”
