Page 84 of Through My Window
And there goes my heart, beating like crazy. His mere presence is wreaking havoc on me.
“Raquel!” Dani appears behind me and freezes when she sees the unexpected visitor. “Oh, hey, Ares.”
Ares just smiles at her. Dean returns just in time to save the awkward situation.
“Here are the notes,” Dean says, handing Ares a notebook.
“Thank you,” Ares says, turning his gaze back to me. “Are you leaving, Raquel?”
“Me?”
“I could give you a ride if you want.”
Those beautiful eyes . . .
Those lips . . .
I want to shout no and reject him, but the words don’t come out. Dani stands in front of me. “No, she’s not leaving yet. We’re going to finish some things.” I give her a confused look and she whispers, “Hand brake.”
Ares gives me one last look before disappearing out the front door.
“Wow, that was interesting,” Dean comments, turning to us.
“So much tension,” Dani agrees.
“Strong sexual tension, man. I think we all got pregnant,” Dean laughs, and I give them both a murderous look.
The cell phone in my hand rings with a message, and I remember what I was doing before the Greek god appeared. I run, with Dani chasing me, and lock myself in the bathroom in her room, which makes me feel stupid because I should have done that in the first place. Checking the messages, my mouth almost drops to the floor. They’re all from Apolo. Apparently, they’ve been talking for some time; they say good morning and good night to each other. I laugh out loud as I exit the bathroom.
“I can explain.”
“Apolo? Oh God, I really love karma.”
Dani crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong.”
“You’re flirting with him! You like him!”
“Of course not! See, that’s why I didn’t want to tell you, because I knew you’d get the wrong idea. He’s a sophomore and we’re seniors.”
“So? Oh, come on,” I say, grabbing her by the shoulders. She averts her gaze. “You’re crazy about him!”
She slaps my hands, removing them from her shoulders. “Stop making things up. I don’t like him, end of story.”
“One month.”
“What?”
“I’ll give you a month to come back with your head down and tell me you fell for him. It’s not easy to say no to the Hidalgos, believe me.”
“I refuse to talk about this anymore.”
“Well, don’t talk, just listen,” I tell her, putting my hands on her waist. “You’re only two years older than Apolo. And he’s very mature for his age. If you like him, why worry? Haven’t you heard that there is no age in love?”
“Yeah. You know who I heard say that? The pedo in the corner.”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“Let’s just . . . forget about it.”
