Chapter 42

Andy's POV

I was still reading the book I had been so engrossed in for the last couple of days when the soft purr of a car engine reached my ears, pulling me from the world of my book. I glanced toward the window instinctively and set my book down, curiosity drawing me in. I stood, padding over to the window to peer outside, just in time to see Bree’s figure step out of the passenger seat after Dominic had opened the door for her, the guy looked and acted like a gentleman and I could not help but smile.

I moved closer to the window as I shamelessly stared at them from where I was standing. They were both standing by the car but they were acting so awkward and that definitely was not a word that could be used to describe Bree.

They said something to each other but as Bree walked past him, there was no physical contact.
As Bree walked to the house, Dominic didn’t immediately. He leaned against his car and watched her enter the house before he got into his car and drove off. He really seemed like a gentleman.

Immediately I heard the front door shut and Bree’s heels echoing through the empty house, I walked away from the window and quickly made my way to her. When I opened my door, Bree was already in front of her room and was about to open the door.

“Hey!” I called out, catching her just before she disappeared inside. “So… how did it go?”

Bree turned, giving me a quick, tired smile before stepping into her room. I followed her in, the excitement bubbling up inside me.

“Come on, tell me everything. How was the date?” I asked her, not wanting to waste any minute before she gave me the gist.

She walked to the bed and put off her heels before she let out a small sigh. But I could see that she had a weird expression on her face and I knew immediately that something was up. This was not the same Bree that had been so excited to go on the date that she could not stop talking about it.

I walked closer to her with a concerned expression on my face. “Are you okay? Did he do something?”

Bree looked up at me and shook her head. “No. He didn’t do anything,” she let out but she was sounding distant. “It’s just that… I just don’t know how to feel. I guess I’m just a bit surprised.”

“Surprised?” I echoed. “Surprised about what?”

She sat down properly on the bed and I sat beside her. She had this shocked expression on her face. “He did not try to kiss me or hug me,” she finally let out. “Or try anything. I mean… who does that?

I bent my head to the side slightly as I tried to understand what she was trying to say. “Not all guys are touchy and physical and especially not on a first date. Maybe he was just trying to be respectful.”

Bree scoffed lightly but there was a flicker of something else in her expression- something closer to confusion than annoyance. “But he’s making it so hard for me not to like him,” she admitted with a slight grin, rubbing the back of her neck.

As she started talking about the date- how they went to a fancy restaurant, laughed over pizza, and sang along to songs on the drive back- I noticed the way her face softened. She smiled without even realizing it, and I could see the way the memories lit her up from the inside. She looked like… well, like someone who might be falling for someone.

I could not help but smile as she kept on talking and talking about how much she had fun. Yeap she’s definitely smitten, I thought to myself as her smile became bigger and her eyes brighter.

When she was done giving me the details of everything, I leaned back on the bed she put my hands behind my head. “So… how about giving the guy a chance? I asked gently. “It sounds like you had a great time. And you obviously like him.”

The smile on her face vanished immediately she heard my words and she looked at me with a serious expression. “Uh, no thank you,” she replied. “You know how I feel about men and what I have been through with them. They’re never what they seem to be.”

I sighed softly, understanding her hesitation. “I get it, Bree. I really do. But not all men are like that.”

She rolled her eyes and frowned. “Stop it Andy. I just want to have fun. No strings attached, no expectations,” she said with finality in her voice. But I could hear just that slight shakiness of her voice and I knew sooner or later, her mind would be changed, I mean she’s already smiling while talking about him. “I still wonder why he didn’t try to kiss me. Didn’t he want it? Am I not appealing enough?”

I say up and turned to her, squeezing her hand gently. “Bree, stop thinking like that. Maybe he just really respects you. Some guys aren’t all about the physical stuff right away. Maybe he wanted to show you he’s different.”

Bree chewed on her lip, still looking a bit uncertain. I could tell that Dominic being different and the whole situation was affecting her even though she didn’t want to accept it.

“Stop thinking too much about it,” I said to her as I got up from the bed. “distract you. How about we watch a movie?”

She gave me a small, grateful smile and nodded. “Okay, let me just change real quick.”

Bree made to go change into something else so I went downstairs to set everything up and pick a movie. I grabbed a blanket from her room and dropped it on the couch before I picked a movie. I went into the kitchen to get started on the popcorn.

As I put it into the microwave, the sound of the corns popping echoed through the house. I could not help but think about how we had found Violet and Jason just the day before, I had been reading so I didn’t think much of it but now I could bot ignore the fact that I felt jealous that they were alone and might have been having a lover’s disagreement.

The microwave dinged, pulling me out my thoughts so I brought the popcorn out and poured it into the bowls. After I was done, I headed to the living room and just as I set the bowl on the table, Bree showed up with her face clean of any make up and in some shorts and a top. She looked more relaxed now, the earlier tension melting away.

I smiled at her. “Ready?”

She gave me a small nod as she sat beside me. “What are we watching?”

I started pressing the buttons on the remote trying to play the movie I had chosen. “How about a rom-com?”

Bree groaned playfully. “Ugh, fine. But only because you made popcorn.”

I laughed and hit play. As the movie started playing, we settled into the couch and snuggled under the blanket.

We watched the movie and I was paying attention before my mind betrayed me and wandered back to the time we were watching a movie in the cabin and how Jason eyes were on me and the conversation we had after. The memories felt so real and before I could stop myself I let out a loud sigh as I remembered how I had felt when he touched me.

Bree sat up and paused the movie. “Hey, you okay?”

I turned to her, faking a smile as I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Just tired,” I said to her trying to sound convincing.

She gave me a skeptical look but didn’t press further. “Oh okay then. You just need to rest,” she said and I nodded again.

“Let’s go back to watching the movie,” I said to her and she hit play again.

We rested against each other and continued watching the movie.