Page 33 of Until You Came Along

“Yes, that sounds good,” I replied, because I was thirsty and because I wanted to give my friend some privacy as she seemed to be getting along very well with Nicolás.

We sat on two stools located at the corner of the bar and ordered two Margaritas.

“I wasn’t really in the mood to go out tonight, but I’m glad Nico convinced me because I got to meet you,” he said, looking at me intensely. It was obvious that the moment of seduction had arrived.

“I’m glad to have met you both too,” and I spoke in plural because I still wasn’t comfortable with all the flirting.

“I like you a lot,” he said straightforwardly, and it was evident that he had lost all the shyness I thought he had.

You promised yourself you’d get to know him to try to forget that pedantic jerk! Do it!, I encouraged myself.

We kept looking at each other without saying anything and, gradually, he leaned down toward my face to press his lips against mine. I closed my eyes and tried to give myself over to that caress, but it lasted very little because he pulled away abruptly. I opened my eyes looking for an explanation for his behavior, but I was petrified. I had to blink several times to make sure what I was seeing was real. Hermes had pushed Nicolás away and was looking at him like he wanted to kill him. I watched the scene without understanding what was happening.

What is he doing here?was the first thought that came to my mind.

“Let’s go,” he said, looking at me seriously.

I kept staring at him without understanding what was happening, as if I were watching a situation in which I wasn’t a participant.

“Delfina, let’s go,” he repeated, stretching out his hand for me to take it.

At that moment I processed what had happened and fury shot through me like lightning. With what little composure I had left, I approached Gaspar intending to give him an explanation.

“I’m sorry, Gaspar. He’s a friend and I don’t know why he’s acting this way,” was all I could think to say.

“Delfina,” repeated the cause of my anger, looking at me as if his patience was running out.

I turned and pierced him with my gaze.

“If you want me to come with you, do me the favor of keeping quiet!” I exclaimed, and he looked at me surprised. “I apologize, I’m going to go with him now to clear things up.”

“I think things are pretty clear already,” said Gaspar, looking at us.

I looked at him and said nothing. If I were in his place, I’d think the same thing he was probably thinking—that Hermes was my partner and I had been about to cheat on him. Damn Hermes!

I turned to look for Serafina. I planned to go outside to talk with him because it was clear we needed to have a conversation; things couldn’t continue like this. My friend was still dancing with Nicolás.

“Where are you going?” asked Hermes, who was beside me.

“I’m going to tell my friend that I’m leaving. And let me make it clear that I’m doing this because I can’t stand you interfering in my life anymore. You’ve just exhausted my patience!” I exclaimed, turned, and continued walking toward where Serafina was.

“Delfi, what’s happening?” asked my friend, who must have noticed my fury.

“I’m leaving. I’ll tell you everything later, but Hermes showed up and asked me to go outside to talk.”

“He’s here?” she asked, looking around, and when she spotted him behind me, she looked at me seriously again. “Are you sure? He looks furious.”

“As always, he lives in a constant state of fury. But I’m going because I can’t continue like this; we need to have a talk.”

“Okay, but call me if anything happens.”

“I’m worried about leaving you alone.”

“Don’t worry, I assure you I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll keep my phone handy, call me if you need anything,” I asked her.

“Same here. Good luck!” my friend wished me.