Page 54 of Some Things Never Change

Then I sighed.

“But?”

I shrugged. “I just wasn’t that into him. It’s such a shame because I know he’s a great guy, too. He’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. He’s family-oriented, sweet, kind, and wholesome. But I just didn’t like him . . .” I felt my heart constrict as I remembered how my mind kept going back to my childhood friend all throughout the date.

Andy looked at me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. I could see the flicker of something in his gaze. "I think I know what you mean. Sometimes it's not just about how a person looks or how their personality is. It's about how they make you feel, too. Like, when you're around them, you just feel… right."

I nodded, understanding what he meant. "Exactly. I don't know what it is about him, but I just didn't feel that… spark."

He was quiet for a few moments, his gaze thoughtful as he continued to watch me. Then he muttered. "Maybe it's because you're meant to be with someone else. Someone who makes you feel that connection you were looking for."

My heart thudded in my chest at his words.

“Yeah,” I heard myself mumbling. “I think you’re right.”

“Everyone wants to be in love with someone they feel that sense of comfort with. But, that’s the hard part though—finding that someone and falling in love with them.” Andy’s voice was solemn and slow as if he was grasping for the right words. “I’ve experienced this once. I was wholeheartedly in love with her and she accepted me for everything that I was, even my flaws.”

Who was this woman?

I didn’t realize I had thought out loud until he blinked slowly in my direction. He stared at me for a long moment. Then, with a single motion, he looked away into the distance.

“A friend I met in college.” He shrugged.

“And you two dated?”

“No, we’ve always just been good friends. She has never seen me the way I’ve always seen her, though.”

My brain had to reel back for a moment because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The Andrew K. Hughes was friendzoned by a girl he was in love with. How in the world did that happen? Was this friend truly never interested? Or was he just jumping to conclusions? Because there was no way she’d ever straight up say no to Andy. He was sweet, kind, caring, attentive, playful, and simply amazing.

“How come you never told me about her?”

“I didn’t want you to be burdened by my sappy feelings.”

I gave him a stern look, upset he never told me about this woman. “You’re never a burden to me and your love isn’t just sappy, Andy. I’m happy for you, but I can’t help but feel like I must be some horrible friend to you for you to not even want to tell me about this.”

He swallowed thickly as a moment of silence passed us. I was expecting his gaze on me to waver, but it never did. A muscle along his jaw ticked.

“It’s just… It’s complicated when it comes to her. I’m sorry, Julie…Sometimes, there are things that we keep hidden, even from the people we care about the most.”

Another silence passed by us as I considered his words. “Don’t you ever dare hesitate to tell me what you’re going through ever again.”

“I won’t.”

I flashed him an unconvinced look. “Promise?”

“Even better, pinky swear.”

He smiled as his big hand stuck out with his pinky out. I lightly scoffed with a small smile on my lips as we pinky swore to one another.

“Have you ever considered telling the woman you’re in love with the truth?”

“No, I don’t want to ruin our friendship. We’ve been friends for years and the last thing I’d want is to lose our friendship.”

I knew exactly what Andy meant. I understood his hesitation and fear despite falling as hard as he did. It all felt too familiar to a time I never wanted to revisit. Even sitting next to Andy and watching him be hopelessly in love with someone was a thing I was all too well familiar with as well. An aching pang of jealousy danced its way across my chest.

“But what if she feels the same way?” I had to put that question out there. If he never tried, then he would never know.

It took a moment for him to reply with a voice tinged with sadness. “She’s always happily in a relationship with some other guy, Tink. To be honest, I just wish I could find someone who makes me feel the same way she did. It’d be easier than having to tell her the truth and losing our friendship.”

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