“You made me a shadowboxer, baby . . . I wanna be ready for what you do . . . I been swinging all around me . . . ‘Cause I don’t know when you’re gonna make your move.”
Andrea heard a knock on the door to her bedroom. She stood up and walked over to the door. Opening it, she sighed loudly, seeing Taylor standing behind it. She walked off, leaving him standing there.
“Can I come in?” Taylor asked.
“Sure, what do I care?” Andrea replied icily. Taylor walked in, shutting the door behind him and locking it. “Why are you here?”
“Isaac kicked me out. He and Marilla needed to talk,” Taylor answered. He walked over to Andrea, putting his arms around her waist. He began kissing her on the neck.
“Stop it,” Andrea said, shrugging him off, She walked over to the window seat, sitting down on the soft blue cushion.
“What’s up your butt?” Taylor asked jokingly.
“Not you,” Andrea retorted. Taylor’s mouth dropped open, as he stood there staring at the back of her head.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, walking over to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t touch me!” she screamed at him. She stood up and walked across the room.
“Why are you acting like this?” Taylor asked.
“Why are you?” Andrea replied. “Why are you suddenly acting like you care? We both know you don’t! Like you said earlier, this is just a physical thing. Or don’t you remember, Taylor?” She looked at him bitterly.
“Yes, I remember . . . but what’s wrong if I do care about you a little bit?” Taylor asked. He tried to get her to look at him, but she was busy looking at her hands, fidgeting.
“Because!” Andrea exclaimed.
“Because what?” Taylor asked. “Where is this coming from, Andrea?” He gave her a puzzled look.
“Because, I don’t want to fall for you!” Andrea exclaimed. She burst into tears. “But it’s a little late!” She picked at a fingernail on her left hand, looking at it as if it were the most fascinating thing she had ever seen.
“A little late for what?” Taylor asked.
“God, you are totally oblivious, Taylor. Do you honestly think I would have slept with you if it were a purely physical thing?” Andrea said. “Because I wouldn’t have. That’s not who I am. I thought you knew that.” Taylor shrugged his shoulders in confusion. She turned her back to him, taking a deep breath. He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders.
“Are you saying what I think you are?” Taylor asked. Andrea turned to face him, putting her hand on her forehead, frustrated. She was trying so hard not to look at him, afraid she’d lose all self control. “Andie, look at me.” He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up, to where she was looking him in the eye. He searched her eyes.
“It’s just that I . . . ,” she trailed off. His eyes were absolutely mesmerizing. “Well . . . I . . .”
“You like me, don’t you?” Taylor said.
“It’s way beyond that,” Andrea said, staring at her feet again.
“You love me?” Taylor asked.
“Not quite yet,” Andrea replied.
“You’re falling for me?” Taylor asked. Andrea looked up at the ceiling, nodding slightly. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Andrea’s gaze fell back to her feet again.
“I figured you didn’t feel the same way. And you said it was just a physical thing,” she answered.
“I lied . . . I’m falling for you, too, Andie,” Taylor said. She looked up at him, surprised. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to take this beyond the physical. You and I are only going to be here for another week and a half, so I value my time with you greatly. I want to make the best of it.” Andrea smiled at him.
“Oh, you do?” Andrea said, putting her arms around his neck.
“Well, you are my girlfriend,” Taylor said, bashfully.
“That’s good to hear,” Andrea said. Taylor kissed her gently, then pulled her to him, holding her in his arms. It had been, yet again, a long day.
