Page 76 of Some Things Never Change

“No, no,” I said. “I-I can’t! They’re scary!”

I let out a yelp as I quickly stepped back from the wooden fence as several large, eight-feet-tall ostriches came straight at me. Their eyes were only on the bowl of feed I was trying to give them. I was gripping onto the extended handle so tightly from fear that my hands started cramping.

Andy let out a boyish laugh. “It’s fine, Tink,” he said, approaching the fence where the large animals stood. He had his own bowl. “The big guys just want to eat.”

He stuck his bowl into the opening in the fence. I watched as two viciously pecked out of his bowl while the other watched me with its large, beady eyes.

“T-They just want to eat,” I mumbled to myself, as I gathered the courage to go back up with my bowl.

I stood further back from the fence and stuck out my arms far in front of me. Then, the waiting ostriches slinked their heads out and pecked just as vigorously as the ones feeding out of Andy’s bowl. I let out a breath of relief, glad that they were only heading for the food and not my fingers or eyes.

Andy continued to laugh. “See? It’s not that bad. Besides, you were the one that wanted to check this place out.”

“Shut up.” I flushed beet red.

He snickered. “We should be glad they’re behind the fence though. If we get a kick from those powerful clawed feet of theirs, we’re done for. Apparently, they can kill in a single blow.”

“Why didn’t you mention this earlier? If I had known we’d be feeding giant killer birds, then we wouldn’t be here!” I was absolutely mortified.

Andy let out a bellowed, hearty laugh. “Sorry, Tink, I was curious too!”

I rolled my eyes as I let the ostrich in front of me peck the food for a few more seconds. “That’s it, I’m going to the emus,” I announced. I pulled my bowl away. “Sorry, big guy. You’re too scary.”

Thankfully the emus were smaller, but some were still taller than me. I eventually became comfortable enough with these enormous birds and we spent about an hour there. We finally made our way back over to the town, and we were greeted immediately by classic Danish architecture. There was even a windmill as I stared at it in awe.

“Let’s grab something to eat first and then walk around,” said Andy as he parked the car.

Andy suggested a quaint little café since he had been here before with his parents and Anthony. It was only mid-morning, and I was always up for brunch. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries wafted toward us as soon as we stepped inside. The place was filled with lots of people, and we got lucky. We were able to grab a booth by the window and ordered our food and drinks.

As we waited for our food, Andy glanced around at the classic Danish decor. “You know what? Dad’s at least five percent Scandinavian,” he said.

“Really?” I asked. “I thought he was just English and Scottish.”

“Nope. Turns out he has a little bit of Scandinavian blood running through him after he did one of those DNA tests that links you to your ancestry.”

“Well, you can thank the Vikings for that.”

Andy let out a hearty laugh and nodded. “True, true.”

My eyes raked over his handsome features given to him through both his white father and Asian mother. “Both you and Anthony hit the genetic jackpot when you two were born.”

The grin he wore turned into an amused smile. “Genetic jackpot? Not really. I think we’re just really lucky to have two really great and loving parents, to be honest. I mean, it’s great to have this face, but I think having an amazing personality is better.”

I scoffed. “That’s what people say to less attractive people all the time.”

“What do you mean? Having a great personality is much better than having just a pretty face.”

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his noble answer. Andy's laugh filled the air. "Easy for you to say. You have both. You’re a great guy, Andy. You’re a sweet, caring, and loving human being and also incredibly handsome. The world isn’t fair.”

He smirked. “Thanks. Glad to be reminded that you think I’m hot. But you’re just as sexy, smart, and amazing. You know that, right?”

I cocked an eyebrow at him, and he laughed again. “Shut up. You’re an eleven out of ten and you know it.”

He shook his head at my reply, shaking his fringe into his eyes. He decided to leave his hair down today, which made him look younger compared to when he pushes his hair back. I smiled at how he needed a haircut. Andy reached across the table and took one of my hands in his. He smiled as his hair fell into his eyes.

“You’re absolutely beautiful, Tink. Why can’t you see what I see?”

I reached over and gently pushed his hair out of his face. “Why don’t you show me exactly how beautiful you think I am one day, pretty boy?”

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