Page 29 of The Fallacy of True Love
Finally, he left, cutting through the crowd with quick steps.
“Who was that?” Eric asked.
“Some guy from Manila. Where’s Milo?”
“Where else?”
Right. The dog always gravitated toward Jo and probably went straight to her.
“Why was he here in Nikki’s tent?” Eric persisted, staring in the direction Alonzo had gone.
“She called him over, and Jo wanted me to give him our tatt.” Like I would ever let anyone outside our group have Jo’s flowers too.
Brows drawn together, Eric looked at Nikki. She was shaking her head but laughing as Jo dangled what appeared to be a piece of food out of Milo’s reach.
“They look like they’re having a good time,” he murmured.
“They are. It’s a great event, Eric,” I reassured him, knowing how much time and effort he’d put into ensuring it ran smoothly.
“Apparently not great enough that you could finish your shift,” he said drily.
Damn it. “I’m sorry. I’ll estimate how much I would have made and cover the cost.” My bank account would take a hit, but I deserved it for backing out of my commitment.
Chuckling, he said, “I’m kidding. I’m just glad you agreed to do it in the first place. But you still need to tell me why you closed early.”
I groaned, knowing it was the least I could do. “Tomorrow, over drinks.”
Nikki’s parents had come over for a late Christmas celebration, and they’d agreed to babysit Jo tomorrow evening so Nikki could have a rare night out sans mommy duties. We planned to meet at our favorite bar and drink our stresses away.
Again, it hit me how far I’d come from being the girl who had no one and belonged nowhere.
When I first came to Juana, it was just supposed to be a temporary stop—a place where I could pick myself up, get my bearings, and regain the confidence I’d lost when the people I trusted betrayed me.
Then Nikki, Jo, Eric, and Inang burrowed under my skin. I found a rental room that had become my own, a café that felt like a second home, and go-to places around the small town that fit me like no place ever had.
I’d built a life here. It wasn’t fancy or fast-paced, but it was right for me.
Sometimes, the doubt crept in that I’d never become financially stable without the college diploma I’d given up earning by leaving Manila. But I’d made that choice. I had to own it and find success my own way.
With any luck, the new year would bring new—and better—job opportunities. At least out here, I had friends I could count on. I would never take that for granted.
Chapter Ten
Alonzo
I had to give it to myself. Going to Juana on a whim was the best idea I’d had in a while. Maybe even forever.
And all I’d had to do was get my heart broken.
The image of Dani with Aaron—fucking Aaron—hit me again. So I chugged down my beer as I sat on the plastic chair in front of Inang’s guesthouse. Was it my second bottle? Fifth? Who knew?
“You’re kidding me.”
At the familiar voice, the liquid went down the wrong pipe and I ended up spewing it out.
Cam stood just inside the small gate, gaping at me. “What the hell are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”
“Cam,” I said between coughing fits. “You again.”
