I relax, thankful for the change of subject. After thinking for a minute or two though, I come up blank. “I have no idea! I don’t know what I want to do.”
He pats my leg. “That’s okay. Living life to thefullest doesn’t have to be about the big things. I think it can be as simple as being open to new opportunities and taking them when you get them.” He grows surer of what he’s saying as he continues. “Maybe you drive past a restaurant every day that you’ve never tried but always wanted to. Now you make the time to try it. You’ve always wanted to try Krav Maga? Now you sign up for a class.”
“I don’t think I’m interested in Krav Maga.”
“You get my point,” he says with a light-hearted chuckle.
“I do. Did you have anything in mind that you’d like to do?”
He holds my gaze. I can feel his eyes assessing me. He’s trying to stay nonchalant, but I can tell there’s more going on beneath the surface than he’s letting on.
“I think there’s some life to be lived in spontaneity. Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.” His smirk that follows makes me melt faster than my ice cream in this sweltering summer heat.
“No fair! I told you something on my list!”
“You didn’thaveto do that.”
“You asked me to!” I give him a teasing nudge.
“Should we head back?” He pulls out the keys to his truck, completely ignoring my irritation.
“Yeah, I guess we can do that.”
CHAPTER 12
Summer 19
“What about a kangaroo?” I ask.
“I’d like to think I’d be something less basic than a kangaroo. Do I look like a kangaroo to you?” Andrew glances at me from his spot in the driver’s seat, sees my face, and frowns. “Don’t answer that.”
I burst into laughter. “Alright, fine. You don’t look like a kangaroo.” I continue scrolling through a list of animals that jump. “What about…Oh, a klipspringer! It says they’re five feet tall and can jump up to ten times their height! That’s so cool. And look how cute they are!” I hold my phone out to him.
He stirs in his seat. “It looks small. I’m 6’3. I deserve a bigger animal than that!” He huffs.
“You came up with this game. We could’ve sat in silence as we drove home from the store, but you insisted we figure out what animals we would be.”
“Well, I guess my game was stupid.” Andrew’s tone is annoyed but one look at his face indicates he’s having just as much fun as I am. It’s been a week since our trip to the bookstore, and we have quickly reverted to our old ways, laughing and teasing. The thought builds a soft warmth in my chest.
As I read the next animal from the list of jumping animals on my phone, I can’t help but break the silence. “How about a kangaroo rat? They’re even cuter than the klipspringer and can jump forty-five times their own body length, making them the strongest mammals relative to their body size.”
“Why do I have to be something cute? Can’t I be like a jungle cat? They’re strong and agile. I’d like to think I’d be something like that.”
I reach over and pinch one of his cheeks teasingly. “But Andrew, you are cute like this little guy.” I hold up the photo of the kangaroo rat. “You don’t look or act intimidating like a jungle cat. When I first met you, you were looking all sweet and innocent playing with one of the neighbors. Every time you open your mouth, your words ooze sweetness.”
He looks appalled. “See, I know it’s a compliment to say I’m nice, but I can’t help but feel like that was meant to be an insult.”
“No, itwasa compliment,” I clarify. “You’re a nice guy, Andrew. I like nice guys. That’s why we hang out.”
He seems to be reflecting on my words and what they mean when I hear the song playing on the radio. “Andrew, turn it up!” I shriek in excitement as I reach over to turn the volume up myself.
“Why even bother asking me to turn it up if you’re just going to do it yourself?” Amusement spreads across his face.
“Shhhh! Listen. Rebecca showed me this song last summer, and I love it. It’s such a cute story.”
I watch him glance at the song title across his screen. It’s “Porch Swing Angel” by Muscadine Bloodline. “Who the hell is Muscadine Bloodline?”
I roll my eyes. “They sing ‘Can’t Tell You No’ and ‘Me on You.’ They’re not super big. Now shut up and listen, the good part is coming up, and it sets up the whole story.”
