1. First Kiss!
Hope POV.
A shadow fell across me, and a familiar voice rumbled, “Where are you going?” Hades’ sudden appearances never ceased to unsettle me. It wasn’t the first time he’d materialized out of nowhere.
“Hi, Hades. Bye, Hades!” I greeted him with forced cheerfulness and continued walking.
He blocked my path, tall and imposing. “Your mother invited me for dinner, and you’re leaving? That’s hardly polite!” I glared at him. “I didn’t invite *you*. Go upstairs and enjoy your favorite dessert.”
He stepped closer, blocking me again. “It’s *our* favorite dessert! Come on, I came to play with you!” His blue eyes sparkled with playful insistence.
My mother always prepared a special treat for Hades, her favored guest. It was a tradition.
“Play? You’re pushing it, Hades. We’re adults now!” I squeezed past his arm and hurried toward the bus stop, relieved when the bus waited. I waved playfully, hoping he wouldn’t follow.
“Come back soon!” His voice echoed as the bus pulled away.
“Never!” I muttered under my breath.
This hide-and-seek game had been our ritual since childhood. He always insisted on “bullying” me with affection, even now, thirty years old. He was such a baby.
But today, I wouldn't waste time arguing. I had a date. A *real* date.
With David, my gentleman boyfriend.
It was the first time I was going to his place, and a nervous flutter danced in my chest. Happiness and anxiety tangled together. I’d always wondered what his home would be like.
I pictured a typical bachelor pad – messy, cluttered.
The bus stopped before a sleek, modern building I hadn’t noticed before. The twenty-floor ascent felt too slow for my restless anticipation.
I stood before his apartment door, heart hammering. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and knocked, then called out, “David?” Silence.
He wasn’t home? I dialed his number, hoping for an answer. “Yes, my Hope!” His voice instantly calmed my nerves.
“You’re not home?” The music blaring through the phone made me frown. “Where are you?”
“Oops, I forgot about our date! I had to check on a friend.” His casual tone deflated my excitement. He’d forgotten.
“It’s okay. I’m going home.” I hung up before he could respond.
I have a habit of ignoring flaws when I fall in love. I’m the girl everyone blames for being hopelessly naive. But I wanted to surrender to the feeling, to lose myself in the joy of it.
I left the building without a destination, dreading Hades’ inevitable teasing and my mother’s disappointment at my early departure.
Then, a lifeline: Sara. My best friend and partner in crime. I dialed her number, and heard music again, even louder this time.
“Hey, Sara! Where are you?” A muffled laugh echoed in the background.
“Hope!” Sara’s voice was clipped. It sounded like she was shushing someone. What was going on?
“Want to grab coffee? I’m feeling miserable.” I pleaded. Thankfully, Sara’s sociable nature won out.
“Sure, baby. Wait there.” Finally, someone to spend the afternoon with.
The coffee shop’s green accents reminded me of David’s eyes – those marble depths.
“Are you sleeping with your eyes open?” Sara brought me back to reality.
“Sorry, babe. Just a long day.” I smiled, trying to hide my disappointment.
“Did Hades bother you again?” She asked, glancing at the menu.
“That’s old news. He’s done that for twenty years. But I wasn’t expecting David to be the same.” I sighed.
“David? What did he do?” Sara didn’t let me explain. “Actually, I saw him at the club earlier. He was helping a friend who broke his leg while dancing.”
Her explanation calmed my anxious thoughts.
“I was overthinking everything, as usual.”
Sara gave me a judgmental look. “David is perfect for you. Don’t ruin things with your overthinking.” I nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.
A deep voice startled me. “What can I get for my lady?” David was acting like a waiter.
“OMG, David!” I couldn’t stop the ugly laugh that bubbled up.
“We serve kisses and hugs today. Which is your favorite?” He held a notebook and pen, ready to take our order. I hoped my cheeks wouldn’t betray me, because I felt heat rising in my face.
Note to self: love this man forever.
Sara pretended to gag. “Ew! You two are too much. I’m out of here!”
“Yes, leave me with my precious girlfriend.”
David gently caressed my hair. “So which one?”
“Kisses!” I played with my fingers, shyly.