Page 25 of Some Things Never Change

Andy laughed with sparkles in his hazel green eyes. His knee bumped into mine as we continued to sit on the floor. “That’s because we’ve always been the dream team, Tink.”

Chapter

Ten

I blinked sleepily as I eagerly sipped on the chai latte just placed in front of me. It wasn’t the best I have had, but at least it was decently good. A group of customers came through the front door with a small gust of icy wind whipping through. My teeth immediately began to chatter as I took another sip of my warm drink. The rain continued to downpour outside.

Andy insisted we go on the hunt for furniture for me to flip for my bare bedroom this weekend. But that was before he realized we were going to get caught in the rain. This wasn’t the greatest weather to be out in, but I didn’t mind it.

I loved the rain. Not just because it’s nice to get rain in California, but there’s typically fewer people everywhere—either on the road, at the stores, or just out and about. It was even slow for brunch in this fancy cafe for a Saturday at ten in the morning.

Andy smiled at me as he sipped his latte. His tongue quickly slipped out to lick the thick, milky foam on his upper lip and my eyes tried not to trail its movements.

“Like it?” he asked, tipping his head toward my drink.

“It’s not bad,” I answered, smiling back. “But there’s not enough spice in it.” I placed my drink on the table.

“You should try their coffee. It’s some of the best in the area.” He leaned across the way and placed his drink in front of me.

I offered him my drink, and he obliged as we both shared drinks.

“I’m not even sure how this is supposed to taste. But, it’s not bad.”

“You’re supposed to taste the spices, especially all the cardamon, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.” I took another sip of his coffee as he went to town with my latte. “You’re right about the coffee, though. It’s amazing.”

Our food eventually came, and it was probably the most aesthetically pleasing brunch I have ever had. The colorful presentation of fresh fruits, perfectly poached eggs, and crispy bacon was almost too pretty to eat. But, as always, the delicious aroma of the food was too tempting, and we dug in.

“Thanks for taking me around today, especially with the rain and all.”

Andy simply shrugged. “Why are you thanking me? I thought that we’re supposed to go on dates like this anyway.”

I chuckled at his response and took another bite of my food. "I know, but it's still nice to be appreciated for the effort, you know? I’ve been here for only a week, and you’ve done nothing but tried your best to make me feel at home here."

Andy’s smile broadened as he nodded. “Always, Tink. Just so you know, I appreciate you, too.”

“For what?”

“For living with me. It gets lonely living alone, you know?”

I scoffed. “That’s why you have a girlfriend, Andy.”

He shook his head. “No thanks. I think I’ve had my fair share of dating.”

“You act as if you didn’t have a new girlfriend whenever the season changed.”

He groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

Andy went through girlfriends like the shirts on his back when we were teens. Being tall, smart, handsome, and athletic, he was immensely popular and always had an array of girls lining up for him. There were more than enough girls showing up at the Hughes's doorstep, crying over their breakups, every other month.

A complete fiasco ensued when his parents became worried about him becoming a teenage dad. There was no doubt he was sexually active with his plethora of ex-girlfriends, especially after Uncle Gary caught him having sex with a girl in their backyard shed one summer night. So, the Hughes's home was never short of safe sex reminders or rubbers that were purposely stored in the hallway bathroom for easy access.

As Andy matured, his player ways also fizzled out. By the time he reached his high school senior year, he calmed down. He didn’t date anyone at all that school year and even asked me to be his prom date as a friend. But, I didn’t really give him the benefit of the doubt then.

I was expecting him to pick up his fuckboy ways again in college, but he didn’t. He was single for quite a while and casually dated here and there all throughout college. He eventually brought a nice young woman home to meet his parents, but that was the same woman who told Andy his Lego hobby was too childish. Now Andy stopped dating completely. Surprisingly enough, I was dating and in and out of relationships more than him the past few years.

I smiled at him. “Oh, come on, pretty boy. That was then, but you’re an adult now. Someone who’s as handsome, successful, and sweet as you doesn’t want to date? I think you’re doing anyone who’s single and ready to mingle a disservice.”

“That’s definitely not what my exes would say. Especially not the ones from high school.”

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