Page 25 of Until You Came Along

“I didn’t reject the kisses. What I rejected was his proposal for sex without exclusivity.”

Silence again...

“You did the right thing!” she finally said. “Who does he think he is? He may be very attractive, but he’s an imbecile.”

“Not just that—he’s bossy, overbearing, so arrogant and haughty that he drives you crazy, and on top of that, he never smiles!”

“And he drives you wild,” she stated.

“I like him—who wouldn’t like a man like him? But I’m not going to let his beauty cloud my judgment to the point of forgetting my principles. No way am I going to sleep with him. If I accepted his proposal, I’d have to settle for the crumbs left by his other lovers. Besides, with a guy like him, I’d be risking my heart, and I’m not willing to do that.”

“I agree,” she said, then paused for a few seconds and added, “Still, let me tell you that I don’t think he’ll accept your refusal so calmly. He doesn’t seem like a man who’s used to being rejected. What will you do if he keeps insisting?”

“I'll stick to my position. You know me and you know I could never be with someone who leaves my bed and gets into another one. I could never handle that.”

“Yes, I know, but in this case I'm worried about what I see this man does to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I've never seen you so, so, so... how should I put it... so confused and vulnerable,” she finally said.

“Confused maybe, but vulnerable I don't think so.”

“If you say so...”

“Don't worry, I'm a strong woman.”

“I know that, but promise me you'll be careful with him. He seems like a dangerous guy.”

“Dangerous?” I asked, confused.

“For your heart, Delfi, for your heart.”

“I promise to proceed with the utmost caution.”

She looked at me again, squinting her eyes.

“Are you sure you don't feel...”

“I'm sure,” I stated, interrupting her. I didn't need to hear that kind of outlandish assumption.

“Be careful. He's a man who's several years older than you, I assume with extensive experience with women and a lot of influence. Next to him, you're just a girl, and I don't mean just because of age. I'm worried you might develop strong feelings for that jerk and end up destroyed.”

“Even though I'm younger than him, I'm also a mature woman. I know I'm not going to risk my heart for one night of good sex.”

“And as your best friend, I feel obligated to tell you that I have my doubts about what you're saying. Delfi, I see you too disturbed by this man. If you decide to sleep with him, that's fine, but don't lose perspective on what it is—an adventure and nothing more.”

“Are you saying this because you're afraid I'll fall in love?” I asked, taking her hand because my friend was looking at me with great concern.

“To be honest, I think you're already more involved than you believe, and that's exactly why I think Hermes Darwich could end up being 'the heartbreak' of your life. Just listen to me and don't lose perspective on what he's offering you,” she repeated, squeezing my hand.

“I promise.”

Seri stayed until late afternoon, and after she left, I lay down for a while because I was exhausted. Talking with her had left me with a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, I felt more at ease having expressed my concerns and getting the opinion of someone who cared about me and always wanted what was best for me, but it was precisely her opinions that also troubled me.

???

The first days of the week, as had been happening lately, were exhausting because we had so much work at the company. On those days, I got home so late that I didn't even run into Baco. In a way, it was good because I was so busy that I didn't have time to think about the person who lately occupied almost all my thoughts, Hermes Darwich. It wasn't until Thursday that I met up with Baco, who stopped by my apartment and stayed for dinner with me.