He doesn’t seem surprised.
“That was long before I talked to you. We hadn’t even met.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you?”
“Why wouldn’t you believe me? I’ve never lied to you.”
“Of course, I forgot that honesty is one of your qualities.”
His blue eyes are full of sincerity. “I know that was sarcasm, but I’m really not lying to you. Natalie never meant anything to me.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And what am I to you?”
He looks down. “You know what you are to me.”
“After tonight I have no idea.”
He looks up, his eyes are shining with a feeling that makes my heart race. “You’re . . . my witch. The girl who cast a spell on me. Who makes me want to be different, to try new things that are scary but worth it, because of you.”
The tickling in my stomach is unbearable. “Nice words, but they’re not enough. I need facts. I need you to show me that you really want to be with me.”
“I’m learning. What else do you want me to do?” He looks so vulnerable right now.
“That’s on you. You’re used to getting everything the easy way, but not this time. If you want to be with me, you’ll have to fight for it and earn it. We’ll start as friends.”
“As friends? Friends don’t feel the way you and I feel. They don’t desire each other the way we do.”
“I know, but you need to earn things after all the times you’ve ruined everything.”
He runs his hand over his face. “Are you telling me I won’t be able to kiss you or touch you?” I just nod. “Are you leaving me in the friend zone?”
“No, not really. Well, yes, but with the possibility of getting out if you learn.”
An ironic smile fills his lips. “No one has ever left me in the friend zone.”
“There’s always a first time.”
He gets closer to me. “What if I don’t agree to be your friend?”
“Well,” it takes all my strength to continue, “then, unfortunately, you are out of my life.”
“Wow, I really hurt you this time.”
A car passes by on the street next to us, the streetlights cast shadows on the side of his face. It’s getting colder. “Yes, or no?” I press.
“You know very well that I’ll take anything you offer.” He runs his hand through his hair. “All right, we’ll do it your way, but on one condition.”
“What condition?”
“During this period of ‘friendship,’” he makes quotation marks with his fingers, “you can’t date other guys; you’re still my girl.”
A couple walks past us, laughing, and continue down the street. I wait and then whisper: “Why are you always so possessive?”
“I just want to make it clear that, although we’re starting over as friends, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to date other guys. Got it?”
“Friends don’t have those rights.”
“Raquel . . .”
“All right, Mr. Jealous, no dating other people, but that applies to you too.”
“And it’s okay to play dirty.”
My eyebrows almost come together. “What do you mean?”
“Just because I’m your ‘friend,’” he makes quotation marks with his fingers again, “doesn’t mean I can’t try to seduce you.”
He extends his hand. “Do we have a deal?”
I nod and squeeze his hand. “Yes.” He lifts my hand and brings it to his lips, giving it a wet kiss without taking his eyes off mine. I swallow and free my hand. He gives me a crooked smile.
“What do you want to do? Do you want me to take you home or do you want to go back in there?”
I debate the options in my head. I decide to go back in just to test Ares, to see how he’s going to deal with this situation now that he’s realized he didn’t handle it the right way. With a lot more confidence, I go back inside the club with him.
The table is almost empty, with the exception of Natalie and Samy, who are talking. I guess the others have gone dancing. I sit next to Natalie and Ares sits on my other side. She gives me an annoyed look, but I just smile at her.
Volví, perra.
I’m back, bitch, as Dani would say.
“Do you want something to drink?” Ares asks in my ear.
“A margarita,” I reply. A short while later, a margarita glass appears in front of me, and Ares sits back down next to me. Electronic music begins to play, and Natalie gets up, moving to the beat. She walks past me and stops in front of Ares.