"I forgot...Oh," I laughed, shaking my head. "I forgot."

"What?" He almost looked guilty.

"You always say that."

"What? ...Fuck?"

"Yes."

"I do?"

"Yes! Isn't it on purpose?"

"No." He shrugged. "Does it bother you?"

"Oh, it'll be all right when I get used to it again." I half-smiled. "Just... Don't say it around 'Laina. You'd think she'd know better by now, but I caught her swearing at Ben last night."

"Your brother Ben?" His right brow raised just slightly in accordance with the left side of his mouth. "Isn't he older?"

"Yep." I nodded. "I don't think she knows."

He laughed. Thunder rumbled softly overhead. The tea was delicious, smooth and comforting; I felt the colour come into my face as it's warmth coursed through me. Andrew sipped his second cup of coffee and ran a hand through his hair. A soft tune I knew but couldn't name began, and I found that I was suddenly very fond of his glasses.

"So, how's Michael?" He asked. "I haven't seen him since—well, yesterday. But I haven't talked to the guy since God-knows-when. He really didn't say much yesterday either..." He mused.

"Yeah." I began, rather intelligently. "It was kind of weird being here again, and everything... Especially af—" I caught myself. Andrew's eyes flickered.

"What?" I didn't answer. "That's what's really bugging you, isn't it? ...Marie?"

I wasn't going to, but he seemed so truthfully in earnest. I knew he wouldn't wring it out of me, but maybe that's how he always did. With a deep breath that ended in a sigh, I related to him the events of my night at the Bridge residence, including what I could remember of the nightmare and what happened when Michael woke me. I could feel myself turning red until my cheeks were so hot they almost burned. And when I was done, he laughed.
He actually laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" I tried not to sound exasperated, but I was flushed and nearly warm enough to sweat.

"You." He chuckled. "God, Marie, I had no idea you were so amish. You cried on a guy's bare shoulder, it happens." He shrugged. "Are you seriously telling me that's never happened to you before?"

"Of course it hasn't!" I said, a little insulted that he could think otherwise.

"God!" He laughed incredulously, and then stopped. "Oh, I'm sorry, Marie." He was still smiling. "I really am... I can tell this was a huge deal for you guys. But the rest of us seriously thought you two had at least kissed by now."

"What are you talking about?" Indignation got the better of me. "We've never—"

"Don't even start." Andrew held up a hand, smiling again. "You and Michael Bridge have had a mutual thing since you met, and you know it. You should see the way your eyes flicker when he looks at you." He tried to bat his eyelashes, but it didn't work. "Now, I didn't say there was anything wrong with that..." He continued gently. "You don't have to turn so red." He brushed the hot spot on my left cheek with his thumb as he lifted my head. I smiled. He was so sweet and so frustrating, the way he made things sound simple— even when they weren't. "Michael's a good guy with a secure future. All that plus fucking tall, dark, and handsome? How could anyone begrudge your wanting to spend the rest of your life with him?"

I shrugged.

"Think about that," He said. "And eat your fucking cookie. I'm gonna go get some more coffee."