Page 5 of Some Things Never Change

I finally closed my eyes as he asked me to. Andy’s warm grip on my hands loosened, and he gently placed one of my hands on his lap—on the thick quadricep of his strong leg. I heard and felt him shift. Then, I felt the touch of warm and smooth velvet in my palm. Both of his warm hands enclosed over mine, making my hand clasp over the piece of velvet he just gave me. It was a small box.

“There. You can open your eyes now.” His voice was soft, like the fabric in the palm of my hand.

My eyes opened slowly, and Andy’s gaze was on me as my vision came into focus. He was smiling that big smile of his at me with a light blush dusting along his cheeks. One of his hands was still gently cupping mine. I glanced down at the dark blue velvet box in my hand and my breath hitched.

“Andy Kou Hughes, are you proposing to me?” My lips stretched into a big grin.

If there was one thing the twins enjoyed most, then I would say they relished in teasing me endlessly, even now as adults. Andy loved to flirt while Anthony teased like a mean, childish older brother. So, what game was Andy playing at?

He laughed as he tilted his head coyly. His hazel green eyes caught the light of the flames dancing in front of us and glinted mischievously. Then he became quiet for a moment as the banter between us settled.

“And if I am?”

I laughed. “If it’s not a three-carat cushion-cut ring with a diamond-encrusted gold band, then I’d have to decline, my dear friend.”

Andy let out a low whistle. “Jesus, Tink. A three-carat diamond on your cute, tiny finger? You like it big, don’t you? So, natural or lab-grown diamonds?”

We laughed as I rolled my eyes at him. “Lab-grown. It’s the ethical choice.”

“Good thing I’m not proposing. But, dutifully noted when I do.” I threw a light punch into Andy’s chest and he chuckled, shaking his head. “Go ahead, open your Christmas gift."

He nudged the box toward me with a grin. I opened the velvet box to find a pair of hanging pearl gold earrings inside. The hoops were encrusted with what looked like diamonds. The earrings were small, elegant, and dainty—perfect for everyday wear without looking like they would be too much. I immediately turned to Andy in shock. I was expecting a rock from his garden. Not actual gemstones.

Since he worked as a financial consultant for some big finance firm, he made good money. He loved to splurge us with presents during Christmas. Each year, he’d pick someone to buy an extra luxurious present for. I thought that the expensive skincare sets he bought both our moms were the expensive presents he was giving out this year. Turned out, it had been mine. No wonder he told me he was going to give it to me later when we were opening presents earlier.

“Like it?”

I could barely stammer a response.

“It’s all real, by the way. Made with solid fourteen-karat gold.”

“I can’t accept this, Andy.” I closed the box and tried to hand it back to him. These beautiful earrings must be worth at least a thousand dollars or more with the diamonds and the pearls alone.

“What are you talking about? It’s yours, Tink. Besides, weren’t you just telling me that you wanted a diamond-encrusted ring? Well, I got you diamond-encrusted earrings. Right?”

His hand reached out and pushed it back to me. My chest tightened at Andy’s words as my eyes became misty. He let out a tender laugh.

“You’re not going to cry, are you?” He chuckled warmly.

“Is it alright if I hug you?” My voice was weak and wobbly.

Without saying anything, he opened his arms wide as if he was catching me from a high fall. I took the chance to dive into the wide expanse of his chest and gave him a tight squeeze. His arms immediately wrapped around my shoulders and enveloped me in the warmth flaming from his body. I let out a long breath into him as I cried into his sweater. It felt nice to hug him in this freezing weather.

“Andy, thank you.” His chest muffled my voice. I breathed in his usual fresh detergent scent. “You know you didn’t have to, right?”

“Why are you always like this when I get you something nice? I got you this because I wanted to. End of story.”

I smiled into his chest. “Thanks again, then.”

“You’re welcome.”

We pulled away from each other, and I almost groaned at the loss of the warmth. A cold breeze blew past us, and I wanted to huddle back into him for another hug. “You’re like a big, warm bear.”

Andy laughed as he leaned in a tad closer than he typically would. I could feel his breath on my ticklish neck as his laugh mellowed out into a low chuckle, and I squirmed. I tried to push him away, but his hard chest stayed in place. His hot breaths were all over my face now and sent tingles over my entire body.

“I bet they’ll look beautiful on you.”

I suddenly felt his warm fingers gently touch where his gift would be hanging from my earlobe. His voice was airy and lighter than a whisper, as if I wasn’t meant to hear his words. I let out a shiver as I moved away from him and the heat radiating from him.

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