Page 52 of Some Things Never Change

“What do you expect when my immune system is made of steel?” I laughed as I slipped on the dress I finally picked out for my date with Eric.

After showering and putting on some makeup, I thought I had the right outfit but I didn’t like it. Then I tried another outfit, and didn’t like that either. I ultimately decided to go for something simple because I was running out of time. I took another look at the tight, long sleeve black mini dress and the black boots I had on. I smiled.

Hell yeah, I looked good.

I opened my bedroom door to find Andy leaning against the door frame, looking quite sultry despite the workout gear he donned. After his nap, he was on his way out for a gym session. I stopped him for some input on my final outfit first before he left. I needed someone to tell me I looked alright since Shoua was too busy for a video call.

My eyes barely scanned over the white muscle tank and black shorts he had on before pulling away. The huge arm holes of his muscle tank flashed me his well-defined arms, pecs, and abs. I tried not to let a shiver go down my spine as I quickly glanced at the way his form took over most of the doorway as he leaned against it.

Physicality aside, I couldn’t help but notice the way Andy blatantly stared at my thick legs longer than necessary. I never liked my big thighs and, with his laser focus on them, I was even more conscious of them and their size.

“Look,” I said, grabbing and pulling his attention up. I turned my back toward him with my long hair up in my hands to show him how it was a backless dress. “Isn’t this backless dress so sexy?”

Andy gave me an impassive, bored look, one I had never really seen him give me. He shrugged, clearly not agreeing with me. “You’re going to get pneumonia going out like that. Put something warm on instead.” His voice was rough and irritated, as if I’ve offended him somehow.

“You’re saying this as if you’re not the other one that’s practically naked here, too.”

I pointed at him and his workout clothes. He didn’t even have a hoodie in hand when he was the one who barely recovered from the flu. Andy gave me an annoyed, tight smile as his face hardened.

“At least I’m working out unlike you, who’s just going to sit there and be cold. Wear something else.”

Where the hell was this coming from? Why was he getting upset over what I was wearing? I was confused as I watched the way his intense, fiery eyes were glued onto my form-fitting dress. Was he…jealous? Or was he just being overprotective?

“What the hell is your problem? Are you jealous or something? Because you’re acting like it.” My irritated words slipped off my tongue before I could catch myself.

There was a long silence as Andy looked into my eyes with a heavy swallow. “Maybe I am.”

Ba thump.

My heart started racing as I tried to say something—anything—back. But he quickly spoke up again. “You’re going to get sick on your date with Prince Charming if you go out like that, Julie.”

I frowned, getting upset. “Are you seriously saying this to me right now? Are you mocking me because I told you that I think Eric is perfect? I told you! He’s not Prince Charming! And, this is just a dress. If I didn’t even get sick from you with your horrible flu, then I doubt the cold will take me down that easily.”

I had enough of him at that point and turned my back to him with an angry sigh. I quickly stepped over my heap of clothes I had haphazardly strewn on the floor and all over my bed. I went straight for the black leather jacket I set aside. If he actually thought I was going to go out without a jacket, then he was insane.

When I didn’t hear a single grunt from Andy, I thought he had stormed off, only to find him still there when I turned back. His face was softer now, but there was a wistful, almost sad look in his eyes as he inspected me from head to toe. Even if it was a simple gesture, it left me feeling a little too warm for comfort.

Andy let out a low and raspy sigh. “You look absolutely beautiful, by the way.”

Feeling deep and warm emotions stir up in my chest, I tried to swallow them down as the two of us held each other’s gaze for a split second. Before I could say anything back, Andy was already off and down the hall.

“See you later. I gotta run. My friends are waiting for me. Let me know if you’re not coming home, so I can set up the alarm.”

His voice was distant and far away, as if he was on the other side of the world. He didn’t even let me say goodbye to him before he left.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

I wasn’t sure if it was our little bickering before my date, but I literally thought about Andy the entire time. Eric was a great guy. He truly was, but I couldn’t help but think about my friend. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I would much rather be having dinner with him or doing the paint session Eric signed us up for with him. The paint session had a few bottles of decent wines being passed around as well, but I barely sipped the glass of white wine I got.

Bottom line, the date was alright. It was fun, but I was with the wrong person. Eric was as sweet and respectful as he was when we were chatting over text and our call, but there was just no spark.

I could see us being great friends, but that wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted a girlfriend, and a committed relationship, but I wasn’t feeling up to it. When he asked if we could do this again, I honestly told him how I felt. After paying for my half and telling Eric how grateful I was for the fun night, I also apologized. I felt like I wasted his time. Thankfully, he seemed to have taken it well, but I could tell he was disappointed.

My chest swelled as I walked up the driveway to Andy’s house after getting out of my rideshare.

It was barely ten and the lights in the living room were still on, which meant Andy was probably still up. Maybe he was finally working on that Lego typewriter set he ordered. I texted him earlier about how I was going to get home before midnight and never got a text back.

---