Page 40 of Some Things Never Change

I smiled. “Why are you so red?”

He didn’t answer as he continued to sit there. He started to burn a deeper crimson red and another uncontrollable laugh tumbled out of me.

“That’s none of your business,” Andy clamored to his feet.

I only continued to laugh as I wiped a tear from the corner of my eyes. “As if, pretty boy,” I said. “You were the one that started it.”

As he walked away from the kitchen bar and passed me with his iPad in hand, he looked over his broad shoulders. "I'll get you back for that, Tink. One day, you'll see.” His words held a playful tone, but there was a hint of firm determination behind them.

“I'd like to see that happen.”

“Oh, I’m sure that you will.”

The certainty in his voice sent a tingle down my spine. I gulped a bit. He sounded too promising with that statement. But how exactly was he going to make me eat my words?

Chapter

Seventeen

The cashier behind the counter had eyes that were practically twinkling like a pair of princess-cut diamonds as she caught sight of my good ol’ pal. Andy and I were literally at the back of the line of a busy and cute artisan cafe. Yet, the cashier continued to give him small glances up to the moment we finally reached the register.

That young woman had clearly fallen for him. Hard, too. Andy gave her a small wave when it was finally our turn. It seemed like they were familiar with one another. He approached the counter first, and she let out a giddy laugh. I couldn’t see her face since his broad frame blocked my view, but I was certain she was probably grinning from ear to ear.

“Morning, Andy,” her chirpy, excited voice rang out. “Your usual?”

I looked up at the menu overhead as he politely replied, “Yes, please.”

“Is that all for today?” asked the cashier.

Andy turned to look at me as he stepped away from the counter, revealing me standing there. “Tink, have you decided what you want yet?”

“Yeah, I did.” With my credit card hot and ready in my hand, I approached the counter. I made sure to hide it well so Andy wouldn’t see it. “Good morning, may I please get a small hot blueberry matcha latte, please?”

The barista, who’s name tag read Valerie, gave me her best tight smile as she punched my order into the tablet in front of her. “Sure thing. Is two percent milk with that drink okay?”

“Yup, it’s fine.”

“Would you like to add anything else to the order?”

I looked over my shoulder at Andy. “No, I’m good,” he answered, standing close behind me.

“That’ll be eleven dollars and fourteen cents.”

Before Andy could whip out his card, I already tapped my card against the card reader. I could practically hear him frown behind me as I tipped and signed. She gave me a small smile as she glanced up at the tall man behind me. I won our constant little game of fighting for the tab this time, so I was certain he was probably brooding.

“Thank you. Have a great day. It was nice seeing you today, Andy.”

“You too.” His voice was rigid with slight irritation directed at me, but still polite nonetheless.

As we walked to the other side of the coffee bar to wait for our drinks, I finally glanced up at Andy and he gave me a glare. “I told you I’d pay.” I waved my card at him before putting it back in my wallet.

He grunted. “Thanks.”

I gave him my best shiteating grin. “You’re welcome.”

Andy’s face softened as his lips slowly began to mirror mine with his own big, wide grin. He tilted his head slightly and a brown lock of his fringe tipped over his forehead as he looked at me, smugly. “Thanks for spoiling me, Sugar Mama.”

I laughed so hard other customers turned to glance at us. “It’s a cup of coffee. Not a cup of gemstones, Sweetheart.” I quickly wiped a tear or two from the corner of my eyes.

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