Gregory looks around. “Okay, Mr. Boring.”
I glance around the beautifully decorated room. There are a few people already there, including some guys from Ares’s school. There are also a few adults, and I guess that they’re the parents of his friends. My eyes spot Claudia in a very nice black dress with two other girls dressed like her, and then I notice them passing champagne and snacks around. Oh, they’re servers.
I look for Ares’s parents, but I don’t see them, and my eyes fall on an older man sitting on the sofa in a very elegant suit. Grandpa? Yes, that’s him. Ares has shown me pictures of him, and there are more hanging around the house.
Grandpa Hidalgo has an incredible air of confidence. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s as if wisdom emanates from him. When Ares told me about the way his grandpa spoke to his father and Artemis, he earned all my respect. A big part of me wants to go hug him and thank him, but I know I’m a stranger.
Artemis is next to him, wearing a suit as well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in casual clothes. Elegance definitely runs in this family.
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.
I should have exercised. Why am I so out of shape?
Because you don’t exercise, you idiot, you just said so.
In the distance I can see Ares’s silhouette. Marco passes me by, like The Flash. Once again, I hate soccer players.
My heart is about to burst out of my chest as Dani also catches up with me.
“Run, Raquel, run!”
“I’m not . . .” I run out of air. “Forrest Gump!”
Dani laughs. “I know, but I always wanted to say that. Seriously, run!” She flies by, and I give her the finger.
“What the fuck do you think I’ve been doing?” I mumble.
Samy, Apolo, and Joshua also pass me. Oh no, them too? I’m officially the last one. I’m about to panic when I see Ares come back for me. He grabs my hand to literally pull me after him. The dogs are barking loudly behind me, and I don’t even dare look.