Page 139 of The Fallacy of True Love
Was this what adulting meant?
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I smiled when I saw Maya’s name on the screen.
Setting my plate down on the desk, I answered, “Hey, Maya. I just finished talking with Papa. How are you?”
“I was worried when you weren’t replying,” she said. “Is everything okay with your dad?”
I propped the phone upright and switched to video mode. Maya was at her desk, wearing a sando with her hair loose. Fuck, I missed her. Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.
“Alonzo?”
“Sorry, I got distracted looking at you.”
She groaned, but a smile played on her lips. “Focus. Your dad.”
“Right.” I recounted the conversation, watching her expression shift from concern to surprise to sympathy. Not long ago, she’d maintained her indifferent act around me, and it moved me how much she had opened up.
When I finished, she told me, “That’s nice, what you said to your dad.”
“I thought about how if I were in his shoes, I might feel the same way.”
“You’re good at that,” she said. “Understanding how people feel and trying to make them feel better.”
Had I ever gotten a better compliment from her? “Thanks. That means a lot.”
She shrugged, seeming uncomfortable. “Wait, is that your food?”
I glanced down at the meal I’d forgotten. “Yeah.”
“Go eat. It’s almost ten-thirty.”
Nodding, I ate a spoonful. It had already gone cold, but I didn’t want to take a break from our call to warm it up again. “How about you—how was your day?”
“It was okay. The waves were good, and I finished the monthly maintenance for my old client,” she said. “I got your note.”
I grinned. “Did the sampaguitas survive?” I’d tucked the small, fragrant flowers in with a monogrammed napkin from where my family had that fancy brunch.
“They dried out but I can still smell them a bit.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe you told your family about me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“We’re not…”
Taking the pressure off her, I said, “I told you I’m serious about you. That’s why I’m going there, so we can talk things through in person.”
“I’m not meet the family material.”
“I disagree. You’re incredible, Maya. I want you in my life as much as I want to be part of yours, and that means introducing you to the people who matter most to me.”
Her gaze dropped.
In a softer voice, I said, “I’m sorry if that stressed you out. I don’t want to pressure you about that or anything else.”
“Is that why you haven’t asked about the job?”
My stomach turned to lead. “Yeah.” I’d held back from asking so many times out of fear that I’d slip and beg her to accept it. I didn’t want to influence her decision and have her resenting me for it down the line. “Have you decided if you’re taking it?” I asked cautiously.
“I’m waiting for them to get back to me about the salary. Anyway, I have until Monday.”
