Page 173 of Through My Window
I leave Ares talking to his friends and turn to Claudia, who smiles at me when she sees me.
“Hello, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I say. “It was a very . . . interesting year.”
“I know,” she agrees. “But you made it, I’m happy for you.”
“Me too. How are you?”
She shrugs. “Surviving, you know.”
“I’m glad to see you.”
“Do you want some?” She offers me a glass of champagne, and I take it.
“Thank you. I should let you get on with it.”
I walk away to sit on a sofa on one side of the room. They must have moved it to make room for people. I swirl the glass in my hands, watching the liquid inside it, my mind distracted, thinking a thousand things at once. The couch sinks slightly as someone sits quietly beside me. I recognize the smell of that sophisticated, expensive cologne.
“To what do I owe the honor?” I joke, turning to look at him. Artemis smiles at me.
“Curiosity. Your mind doesn’t seem to be here.”
“It’s that obvious, huh?”
“I admire your ability to celebrate despite what this means for your relationship.”
“It’s not easy.”
“I didn’t say it was.” He loosens the knot of his tie a little. “That’s why I admire you.”
“My mother said the same thing, something about being mature for my age.”
“Ares is lucky,” he says. I raise an eyebrow.
“Is that an indirect compliment?” I ask. He says nothing, taking a sip from his glass, so I tease him some more. “Artemis Hidalgo, the iceberg, just gave me a compliment. Am I dreaming?”
“Don’t act so surprised.” His countenance has an air of sadness and melancholy. “I can tell the difference between good and bad people.” He points at me with his glass. “You are one of the good ones, and that’s why you have my respect.”
I don’t know what to say.
His eyes fall on Ares, who is openly laughing at something Gregory just said.
“I never thought he’d have the ability to overcome what happened to us, to believe in someone in this way, and change for the better. Not just because he was able to fall in love. Ares isn’t the same capricious boy he was a year ago who didn’t value anything or anyone. Somehow that gives me hope. Maybe all isn’t lost for me.” He drinks the rest of his champagne in one gulp. “Thank you, Raquel.”
He gives me an honest smile, and I realize it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile. He gets up and walks away, leaving me speechless.
FIFTY-SEVEN
The Trip
Run . . .
Shit. Shit.
I still hear barking behind us.
Oh shit.
