Page 121 of Through My Window
“You asked.”
“You have no shame.”
“No, what I have is desire for you.”
I clear my throat, taking another sip of my coffee. Ares extends his hand, palm up, offering it to me. I don’t hesitate to take it.
“I know I shouldn’t have said you were my girlfriend up there; I don’t want to pressure you. I know I have to earn things.”
“It’s okay, really.”
His hand separates from mine and I almost pout. He drinks some of his coffee, too, and I’m curious to know what his favorite is.
“What did you order?” I ask. He answers me in a mocking tone.
“A coffee.”
“I know that. I mean, whatkindof coffee did you order?” I clarify. Ares leans over the table, his face getting awfully close to mine.
“Why don’t you find out for yourself?” He points to his lips. This close, I can see how wet they are and how soft they look, but I push him away slightly.
“Good try.”
“How long are you going to torture me, Witch?”
“I’m not torturing you.”
“Yes, you are, but I deserve it.”
We talk for a while, and I notice that his mood has changed drastically. He’s relieved, happy even, and I like seeing him like that. This place seems loud after spending so much time in that grim, silent hallway upstairs. My curiosity gets the best of me.
“What’s going on with those two?” I point to Artemis and Apolo. Ares takes his time before answering.
“They had a fight.”
“Because of Claudia?” I throw my guess out there.
“How do you know that?”
“I connected the dots. What happened?”
“It’s not my place to talk about it.”
“Ugh, how boring.”
Ares crosses his arms over his chest.
“I’m not an old busybody, I’m your boyfriend,” he says. It came so naturally to him that he didn’t even realize he said it until he noticed my surprised expression. Ares scratches the back of his head.
“You’ve made a fool of me.”
“A fool I really like,” I say.
Ares’s lips curve into a triumphant smile.
“Do you like me, friend?”
I blush, giggling like a fool.
