Page 99 of Through My Window
I wiggle out of his grip. “It’s common sense, Ares. You have the highest IQ in the county, but you can’t figure out that it would be a bad idea to take me to a place where there are two girls you’ve fucked?”
“Two girls I’ve fucked?” He looks confused. “Oh, Natalie . . .”
He really didn’t remember?
“How do you know . . . ? Ah, shit, I forgot about that. It was a one-night thing, nothing important.”
“Of course.”
“What else did she tell you?”
I lift my chin. “She also told me that you used to make fun of me with your friends . . . about my crush on you.”
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.
