Tesoro: I need some fresh air.
Ares:Tesoro, it’s cold.
Tesoro: Ares, I have my coat. A couple minutes, then I’ll go make cocoa.
She waves the box my direction, I can barely make it out in the dim light.
Tesoro: The hot chocolate packets?
Ares: It was me all along.Sí. I have been mesmerized by you from the first time I saw you in the nail salon. I didn’t know how to approach you or get your attention.
Ares: I had a whole complex scheme concocted in my mind about how to convince you to go on a date with me and everything.
She stands and goes inside, closing the door behind her. For a moment, my breath catches. Has my confession spooked her?
Tesoro: You’re right, it’s cold. I’m warming milk.
Tesoro: I want to hear all about this wicked plan of yours.
Ares: It involves making your fake hot-chocolate-leaving admirer jealous while you fake dated me.
Tesoro: That’s funny.
Ares: Then I was going to use my indelible charm to convince you to forget about the admirer and be my girl for real instead.
Tesoro: Really?
Ares:Es cierto. Fool proof, right?
Tesoro: How could I resist?
Ares: Do you need to get out for a while?
Tesoro: It’s bedtime. I should go to sleep. I appreciate you staying here for me though. And for not beating the door down and kicking my dad’s butt.
Ares: I would never.
Tesoro: I’ve seen the videos. I haven’t watched them, but I’ve seen enough of them labeled ‘Goalie fight’ right alongside your name to know that you sometimes like talking with your fists.
I can’t help but chuckle. She’s not wrong.
Ares: What can I say? Your boyfriend is a hot head. It’s in my blood.Soy impulsivo mientras que tú eres tranquila. I can’t promise your calm will make me less hotheaded…
Tesoro: I don’t want to change you, Ares.
Another tiny piece of my heart clicks into place, another knot unwinding in my chest.
Ares: I figured you’d want to break up with me after… well, after what your father said.
I squirm in my seat, hating that I’m letting this insecurity through the cracks, but I need her to say it, to tell me she’s not casting me aside, not even for her dad.
I drop my phone onto my thighs and rub my hands together. I crank the engine, turn the headlights off, and flip the heat up to high. These seat and steering wheel warmers are the best inventions ever made, and within seconds my ass starts to heat.
Tesoro: I don’t want to break up with you at all,cariño. He’ll come around. He’s overprotective and scared. Once he sees that you’re not converting me to the way of the Devil, he’ll relax.
I hope she’s right. And I don’t miss the term of endearment in her message because my heart literally skips a beat. I don’t do affection, I don’t do long dreamy gazes, holding hands, or pet names, and yet, with Eloise, I want to. I want it all.
Ares:Cariño?
