Page 6 of Some Things Never Change

“Stop joking around, Andy.”

His hazel eyes searched my face for a moment and then he blinked slowly, fanning his long and thick lashes across the tops of his high cheekbones. A small smile touched his lips.

“But, it’s the truth.”

Before I could even say anything in return, he was already up and on his feet. He quickly turned off the fire pit as I stood up as well.

“Let’s head back inside. It’s getting cold,” he said with a firmer voice.

I nodded, feeling a bit flustered. I took a quick glance at Andy. He looked like his typical handsome self, even in the dim light of the night, with his features chiseled and defined by the shadows. However, I could tell something was on his mind.

As we reached the door, Andy turned to face me with intense eyes. "Julie, I need to say something to you."

He hardly ever called me by my name. But, in those rare moments that he did, it always caught me off guard. I could feel nervousness and anxiety rise up my stomach.

"What is it?"

He took a step closer to me, and I could feel the heat emanating from his body. "I don’t think I’ve ever made this clear, but if you ever need me for anything, I’ll be there for you. Let me help you out with your move instead of Jonathan. Alright?”

I swallowed down the answer I gave him earlier. “As long as I’m not asking too much of you, then?—”

He interrupted me before I could finish my sentence. “You never ask too much of me.”

“Okay. It’s decided then. You’ll help me move.”

He beamed a big smile down at me as he took another half step closer, almost closing the space between the two of us.

“I’ve also been thinking . . .”

“Of?”

“Why don’t you live with me?”

Chapter

Three

I blinked, taken aback. What did he just say?

Was Andy really suggesting we become roommates when I moved to Santa Mariana?

"Live with you?" I heard myself repeat back like an echo.

"Yeah, I have an extra room. I’d rather you have it than it be a guest room. Think about it. This all will be less stressful and easier for you until you find a place of your own, if you like. And it’ll be just like the good old times, right?”

With the way his eyes lit up, I could tell he was ecstatic at the idea of me living with him. I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Good old times? But we’ve never lived together, ever."

“How is this any different from living next door to each other when we were kids? Your home has always been like mine.”

“So, instead of you living in the next house over, you’ll be sleeping down the hall?”

“If you’re putting it that way, then sure. It pretty much would be that, wouldn’t it?”

I stood there, speechless. Living with him was definitely something I hadn't thought of before, but the idea of it was strangely appealing. It would be nice to live with someone I knew well in a completely new city.

It would also be nice not to have to stress about my living situation until I find a place I really like. I had been feeling anxious about the move since I submitted my two weeks’ notice. Andy's offer made me feel a little less alone, stressed, and worried about this major transition.

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