Page 79 of Until You Came Along

“Seri, we're going to have to leave earlier than planned because Hermes came for me.”

“Again! That man only knows how to ruin my outings with you.”

“He was worried because he couldn't get in touch with me since my battery died.”

My friend let out a laugh and then looked at me.

“And then you say he's not in love! He's head over heels!” she exclaimed.

“Do you mind if we leave now?” I asked, without dwelling on her comment.

“Don't worry, I'll ask one of my colleagues to give me a ride. Speaking of which, where's James?”

“He left when Hermes arrived.”

“He must have scared the poor guy away. Well, don't worry and go ahead because I'm going to stay with them a bit longer. We'll talk tomorrow.”

“Alright. Have fun.”

We kissed goodbye, I said goodbye to Pedro and returned to Hermes, who was standing watching where I had been talking with Serafina.

“We can go, Serafina is staying,” I informed him.

“Your place or mine?” he asked.

“Whatever you prefer,” I replied, while picking up my clutch with my things.

“Your place is closer, let's go,” he said, and took my hand possessively and began walking toward the exit.

As we were crossing the dance floor to leave, the beautiful songSomeone You Lovedby Lewis Capaldi began playing. Hermes was a few steps ahead of me, holding my hand. When the song started, he stopped abruptly and turned to look at me.

“Dance with me,” he asked, pulling me so I would fall into his arms.

“Of course, Mr. Darwich,” I responded with a smile, and put my arms around his neck to embrace him and rest my head on his chest.

Hermes wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close to his body, and we began swaying to the rhythm of the song. His scent enveloped me.

“Delfina,” he called, tilting his head back to look at me, and when I looked into his eyes, he waited a few seconds in silence and then said, “don't give up on me.”

I imagined he said it because the lyrics of the song mentioned something like that, but I still asked him:

“Why do you say that?”

“Because even though you might not believe it, I can recognize my flaws and I know I'm a difficult person. I know I offer little compared to everything you offer me, I know I have a complicated personality and there are days when even I can't stand myself, but I don't want to lose you, I can't let you go.”

An enormous emotion ran through my entire body hearing him say that. I looked at him and couldn't prevent my eyes from welling up because of what it meant, because of that romantic moment we were experiencing, because I could hold him and kiss him without any impediment because, at that moment, Hermes was mine.

I took his face in my hands and looked into his eyes.

“I can't promise I won't if you ever do something that causes me suffering. I don't know what will happen with us. I can only assure you that, deliberately, I won't do anything that could hurt you. We can't know what the future holds for us, but at this moment I know, with complete certainty, that I love you, I know I want to be with you, and I know I'll do everything I can to make this work, but a relationship involves both of us, and if you fail, I can't promise to stay by your side because, if knowing that I love you, you play with my feelings, you don't deserve me to do so.”

“I also want to be with you and only you, but I'm broken and I don't know if I can love again,” he affirmed, and the sadness I saw reflected on his face pierced my heart.

“Just keep in mind that being broken doesn't give you the right to break someone else. For now, that's enough for me.”

“I won't do it because I want you with me. I know I'm being selfish, but I want you for myself. You're part of my life and I want you to continue being part of it. Don't leave me,” and that phrase was a plea that came from his soul and pierced mine.

I moved closer to his lips and kissed him with an open heart. I kissed him without realizing that my tears were running down my cheeks, mixing with the kiss. Hermes responded with the same devotion. Our tongues danced in a desperate, romantic, and passionate dance.