Page 90 of Some Things Never Change

Andy scoffed before placing another kiss on my cheek. “You really didn’t need to. I never mind covering the bill, you know? But thank you, Tink. You always know what I like.”

I tiptoed and leaned in closer to him. “I know there’s something else you like, too.”

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Really? Do tell.”

I placed a hand on his chest, feeling the heat emanating from his body. “Me.”

Andy watched me with a different kind of excitement brewing in his eyes. He pulled me closer to him. “Oh? I guess that is true.”

It was Friday night and Andy was somehow in the lead today. He typically styled his hair by pushing his fringe back, making him look like a suit-wearing James Dean. But today, he left his fringe down, making him look so goddamn cute with his stupid charming smile. I dreaded seeing him at lunch because it was warm and he rolled his sleeves up to his elbows with his shirt slightly undone. I ignored his corded forearms and pecs peeking out when he came by to say something to Cindy and I. Thankfully, I didn’t crack.

Now I was attempting to have the upper hand. I was expecting Andy to pull me in for another kiss—for one on the lips. But all he did was smirk at me.

“Aren’t you going to kiss me?” I asked, lightly tugging on his cotton T-shirt.

Andy hummed. “Needy, aren’t you?” I glared at him as he let out a chuckle. “You’re always so needy. I spoil you too much.”

“Andy,” I pouted, tugging on his shirt.

“No, call me one of those nicknames you love to call me by.”

My brows furrowed. “Do you mean pretty boy or Sweetheart?”

He smiled. “Both.”

“You like me calling you that?” His cheeks flushed, not answering me. I let out a giggle.“I’m surprised. I thought that you’d rather I call you baby or something else.”

Andy shook his head. “No, Sweetheart or pretty boy’s fine.”

I smiled, now blushing as well. “Sweetheart.” My voice was barely a whisper as I looked up at him.

Without another word, he pulled me into a kiss. Slow, sweet, and deliberate with each gentle brush of his lips against mine. I let my hands explore the expanse of his chest and down to the waistband of his sweatpants when he stopped the soft kisses he was giving me.

“We’re not supposed to have sex for a week, remember? Unless you want to beg, of course.”

“I was just teasing you.” I pulled my hands away and gave him one last quick kiss on the lips before crossing my arms.

Andy laughed, picking up the box cutter. “Sure.”

He quickly took out the instruction manual and immediately flipped through. With his bright and excited eyes, I knew he was still in awe at the set. “I still can’t believe you got me this.”

“Well, why not?” I reached out to touch him again. I desperately wanted to run my hands across his skin and through his silky dark brown hair.

He smiled at me. “I usually buy the Lego sets myself.”

“What about your birthday?”

“I asked Anthony and my parents to stop giving me Lego sets as birthday gifts years ago because of what happened with my ex. I thought I could stop being as invested in collecting and building Legos if they did.” A small, sad smile touched his lips with a shrug.

“But you never told me to stop.”

“Because I couldn’t bring myself to. I loved seeing or hearing how excited you’d get whenever your gifts arrived. I loved the way your eyes lit up and how your voice went up an octave because you were just as excited as me when I opened your Lego gifts. I loved how you always told me you wished you lived nearby so we could build it together.” He blinked slowly, fanning his long lashes across his cheeks. “No one’s really offered to do that with me now that we’re adults, you know? How could I tell you to stop when your excitement, smiles, and laughs also come with your gifts?”

A big smile crossed his lips, making warmth bloom in my chest.

“Maybe that’s really because you’re in love with me instead.”

“Actually, it’s one of the gazillion reasons why I love you.” He smiled and then gestured toward the boxed bat cave, as if he didn’t just make my heart start hammering out of my chest. “Want to help me build it?”

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