We stopped at the end of the hall, and he opened the door to his room. It was a stark contrast from his sister’s. Light gray walls and creamy carpet were draped with accents in navy and dark wood furniture. Navy curtains, navy quilt, and navy sheets. Gray pillowcases. He had an entertainment center with a decent-size TV and gaming system, a brown leather couch situated across from it. The room was very masculine and surprisingly clean. His bed was even made.
“Wow. Your bed is made. Even I don’t do that, and I’m kind of a perfectionist. Be honest, Andy, does your mom clean your room and make your bed for you every morning?” I plucked a cookie off the plate Andy had set on his dresser and took a bite. Holy yumminess. If Lilly could taste these, she’d be dying right now. “These cookies are amazing,” I continued. “So, if your mom cleans your room and makes your bed for you, too, I’m going to negotiate myself a spot in your guest room instead of the kitchen. Maybe your mom will let me move in?”
“Pshhh. I wish she cleaned my room. She won’t even do my laundry. Why do you think Celeste’s room is such a mess? She says it’s important that we learn how to take care of ourselves. Always spouting some nonsense about women not finding helpless men attractive.”
“Your mom is a wise woman. Guys who can clean are totally hot. Especially if they can cook, too.”
“You’re into guys that cook, huh?” Andy asked.
“Duh, what girl wouldn’t be?”
“So then for my date, do you think offering to cook the girl dinner would be a good option?”
“Depends, can you cook?”
“I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen.”
“Maybe you should do a test run and make me something first, so I can be sure your skills are good enough,” I suggested.
“Maybe sometime I will. But until then, you should probably get to roaming through my closet.”
“Ok, but first I have one more question.” Andy looked at me expectantly. “Do you happen to have any contact lenses? I really like your glasses, but they hide your eyes, which are one of your best features.”
Andy sighed. “I have them, but I hate wearing them. They make my eyes feel scratchy.”
“Humor me. Please?”
“Fine. I’ll put in the contacts, you pick some clothes.”
I grabbed another cookie. “Show me the way.”
He walked to the opposite side of his room and opened a barn door to reveal a massive walk-in closet full of clothes. My eyes popped open. I’d kill for a setup like that. I went into the closet and ran my hands across the shirts and pants. Andy left for his bathroom.
“You have all this nice stuff, and you wear the same pair of cargo pants every day?” I yelled through the wall. I was appalled and didn’t bother trying to hide it.
“Not the same pair,” Andy corrected from the bathroom. “I have a few of them. They get washed after I wear them, too. I do my own laundry, remember?”
“There’s some decent options in here, and you aren’t allowed to waste them anymore. I’m imposing a new rule. From now until the auction, you aren’t allowed to wear any cargo pants.”
Andy popped his head around the closet door, frowning. “But that’s two weeks away.”
“Yes, and you have enough clothes in this closet that you won’t even have to do any laundry between now and then. No cargo pants. And stay away from the button-down shirts, too. I’m sure you have some muscles under there. You need to showcase your assets.”
Andy gave me a flat look. “Showcase my assets?”
I ignored his comment and went to work digging through his clothes. Ten minutes later, I’d pulled out a few nice outfits and laid them on the bed. Andy was sitting on his couch, without his glasses, eating more cookies.
“All right. I want you to try this on,” I instructed, holding out a pair of dark jeans and a dark red V-neck T-shirt. Andy grimaced but took the clothes from me and headed into the closet, shutting the door behind him. I sat on the couch and picked up the plate of cookies. I needed to stop eating these, or I was going to be five pounds heavier in the morning.
A minute later, Andy emerged from the closet. I let out a low whistle, and I got up to inspect him. “Dang, boy. You look good.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. They’re just clothes.”
“Yeah, clothes that actually fit you. Remember, we’re showing off your assets.” I walked behind him. His butt looked way good in his jeans. I had the sudden urge to pinch it. Oh my gosh, I was turning into a pervert. What was wrong with me lately? I walked around him and squeezed his lean bicep instead. “You have muscles, Andy. Girls like muscles. Fitted T-shirts show off muscles. It’s a no-brainer.” I sat back down on the couch and eyed the plate of cookies.
Andy sat next to me and leaned over my lap, snatching the plate from my reach. “Here, let me help you with your decision. You look like you’re having trouble restraining yourself.” He smirked and held the plate over his head.
“Just one?” I begged. “I swear, just one more.”
“Yeah, that’s what they all say.” He grinned, holding the plate even farther away. “You’ll thank me tomorrow.”
I lunged for the plate, and he leaned back so I couldn’t reach, causing my momentum to push me forward and on top of him. Somehow, he was still able to keep the cookies from me. I didn’t think about how precarious the position was until I saw Andy turn pink, again. We definitely needed to work on this whole blushing thing. It was endearing, but most girls liked a confident guy. I pulled away slightly but didn’t remove myself from his body entirely.
“How come you blush every time I get in your personal space?” I asked. It was forward, I know, but I thought he might avoid my question if I wasn’t blunt. “Andrew Walker, are you afraid of girls? Because that might be a problem when it comes time for your auction date.”
“I’m not afraid of girls.” His voice was hoarse. Amazingly, he was still making eye contact.
“Oh yeah?” I smiled wickedly. My comment had distracted him, so I stole the plate of cookies from his hand and set it on the ground. “Prove it.” I pushed him down on his side, then lay down on the couch next to him. I nestled my back into his chest and waited to gauge his response.
“What am I supposed to be proving?”
“That you aren’t scared of girls.”
“And how would you suggest I do that?” he asked.
“Pretend I’m your date. We’ve just had a super fun day together. You find me attractive, and I’m obviously into you. I start flirting and touching. How are you going to react?”
“We’re pretending that you’re my auction date, and that I’m into you?” Andy asked. Once I nodded in confirmation, his body relaxed and settled against me. I hadn’t dated anyone in a while. It’d been months since I’d spooned with a boy, and my body was reminding me of this fact.
“I guess if you’d been bold enough to lie down next to me, and it was obvious that you were into me, I’d probably start by doing this…” Andy propped his head up on the arm that was beneath him, placing his mouth just above my ear.
“That’s it?” I chided.
“No, of course not. Next, I’d probably lean in close and whisper into your ear about what a nice time I’d had today. Maybe tell you how much I like being around you and how beautiful I think you are.” His lips were brushing against my ear, and his warm breath was tickling my neck. I shivered involuntarily.
“Ok, that’s much better. But I’m still not convinced that she knows exactly how much you like her.”
“I’m not done yet. Be patient.”
“Oh, right. Well then, by all means, keep going.”
“So,” he continued talking softly against my ear, “after I told you how beautiful you were, I’d probably slip my free arm around your waist and pull, until I got you to turn and face me.” Andy’s free hand slid across my stomach, leaving a trail of goose bumps. He gripped my side and coaxed me into turning around. Our noses were only inches apart.
“She’s facing you. So now what?” I breathed softly.
“Well, this is where I have to decide if you want me to kiss you.”
“And how do you decide that?” I asked, unsure if he was still talking about his auction date or if he was talking about me. The line of distinction was getting kind of blurry.
“I’d probably start by running my nails down your arm until I could lace our fingers together. Then I’d bring your hand up here, like this.” Andy lifted our locked hands to his mouth and ran his lips along the back of my fingers. My eyes drifted closed.
“Then, if you closed your eyes instead of pulling away, I’d assume you wanted me to kiss you. At that point, since our lips would be so close, all I’d have to do is lean in.” Andy moved closer, until our noses were touching. He rubbed the tip of his nose against mine ever so slightly.
“That would probably be a safe assumption on your part,” I murmured. I held my breath, waiting for the kiss that I wasn’t sure was coming. We were just pretending. Right? Andy tilted his head and my heart sped up, pounding like a giant drum in my chest.
“Hey, Andy, you up here, bro?” A loud voice boomed down the hall. Startled, I jumped, and in doing so fell off the couch, narrowly missing the cookies. Andy played it cool as Jake walked into the room.
“What’s up, guys?” Jake paused, cocking his head toward Andy. “Why are you on the couch and making her take the floor? Not very chivalrous, dude.”
I laughed as I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding before we were so inconveniently interrupted. I don’t know if Andy was about to kiss me for real, but I was very disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to find out. He always seemed shy and unsure. Jake said Andy had game. I figured he was joking. This new, confident Andy was doing a number on me.
“Andy was showing me his sweet moves.” I grinned at him while answering Jake.
“Do I even want to know what she’s talking about?” Jake asked Andy.
“Probably not.” Andy smirked at him before looking at me. “So, did I pass your test, Ivy?”
“I’d say your performance was acceptable. You should think about joining the drama club or trying out for the school play.” I tried to play it cool, fighting the urge to fan myself.
“Maybe I will,” Andy said, a ghost of a smile on his face.
Jake looked between us. “Am I missing something here?”
“No.” Andy stood. “What brings you over?”
“Your mom texted me and asked if I’d seen your new look. I told her I had no idea what she was talking about, so she suggested I come over and check it out.”
“You text with Andy’s mom?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah,” Jake answered. “Sarah’s cool like that.” He looked at Andy. “When were you going to tell me about the makeover?”
“Um, after it happened?” Andy looked sheepish.
“You knew I’d want to come, huh?”
“Pretty much. I didn’t need you ruining my first mani/pedi.”
“You got a pedicure without me?” Jake looked hurt momentarily, but his sad face gave way to a grin. “It was pretty sweet, huh?”
Andy was suppressing a matching grin. “Yes, the pedicure was good.”
“Ok, girls,” I teased. “Can we discuss spa treatments some other time?” I looked at Jake. “What do you think of the new man?” I asked, waving my hands up and down Andy’s figure like a product model.
Jake scratched his chin, pretending to contemplate. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “Are we even sure this is the same Andy? I mean, the guy in front of me has two distinct eyebrows.”
Without warning, Andy lunged at Jake and the wrestling match to end all wrestling matches ensued. For at least five minutes, I sat on the couch, amused by the show. I was getting flashes of abdominal skin from both boys. Maybe I was partial, but Andy’s abs were better.
Finally, Andy gained the upper hand and pinned Jake to the floor. He leaned over and puckered up his lips.
“Say it,” Andy commanded, “or it ends up on your face.”
What would end up on his face? It looked like Andy was getting ready to kiss Jake, but I was pretty sure that wasn’t the plan. I hoped it wasn’t, at least. When I realized Andy was going to spit on him, I laughed out loud. “Oh, that’s gross. I’d give in if I were you, Jake.”
“Say it now. Five, four, three, two…”
“Uncle!” Jake shouted. “Fine, you win. Get off me, you butt-wipe.”
Andy rose triumphantly to his feet. “Now, do you care to rephrase the comment about my eyebrows?”
“Duh,” Jake replied. “What I meant to say was that you look pretty pimp and that maybe we should troll for hunnies at lunch tomorrow.”
Then Jake turned and spoke to me. “You do good work, Nixon.”
“Thanks.” I beamed. “I agree.”
There was only one problem. After today, I wasn’t so sure I wanted Andy trolling for hunnies at lunch. Or any other time, for that matter. This was bad. I was supposed to be impartial. I was supposed to be helping him get prepped for the auction. I was supposed to be making him become desirable to the opposite sex. Unfortunately, I was a member of the opposite sex, and right now, I was finding him very desirable.
The next day at lunch, Lilly was practically bouncing with the anticipation of seeing the new and improved Andy. I’d called her last night and told her all about my afternoon. Well, almost all of it. I left out the incredibly hot incident on Andy’s couch. I wasn’t sure if it meant anything, but Lilly would read into it anyway. Plus, this was supposed to be a professional relationship. I was a mentor of sorts. Lying on his couch, practically begging him to kiss me, was hardly professional.
Lilly scanned the crowd, but Andy and Jake were sitting in the same place as yesterday and the day before. “Holy moly, mama likey.” She practically sprinted across the cafeteria and sat opposite Andy, staring at him, silently running her eyes over his face and hair and clothes.
I sat down next to her and lightly flicked her in the back of the head. “Sorry.” I apologized to the boys. “She has a staring problem when it comes to cute guys. We’re working on it, aren’t we, Lilly?”
“Hubba hubba” was her only response as she nodded her head in approval.
“Hey, what about me?” Jake whined. He seemed bummed that Andy was getting all the attention. Ironic, since Andy didn’t want it.
“Yeah, yeah. Hang on there, buddy.” Lilly patted Jake’s hand. “You’re next.”
Lilly finished ogling Andy, then shook her head free of the fog doubtlessly floating around her brain. “Wow, Andy, you look the same, but so different, too.” She turned and patted me on the back, then went back to examining Andy.
“Nice work, Ivy,” she said.
I smiled my thanks, but Andy jumped in with disapproval. “How come Ivy is getting all the credit for this? I’m the one who let it happen, and Kim did all the work. Ivy didn’t even touch me.”
Oh, I touched him, all right. But my touching had in no way contributed to his makeover, so I’m pretty sure it didn’t count. “Hey, all of this fabulousness was my idea.” I waved my hands in front of him. “So, I deserve some credit, at least.”
“You guys can share credit.” Jake interrupted, snapping his fingers in front of Lilly’s face. “How about you ogle me for a while now?” he asked her. “My ego is getting bruised.”
Lilly sighed. “I guess my eyes can take turns on the two of you. I wonder if I could focus one eye on each of you at the same time?” The next minute was spent with Lilly crossing her eyes ridiculously and all of us laughing at her. Finally, after many unsuccessful attempts, she gave up. “Looks like I’ll have to stare one at a time. You can be first, Jake.” He gave her a satisfied smile and went back to eating his lunch.
“So,” I asked Andy, “has anyone said something about the new you yet today?”
“Nope. I caught a few girls staring, but that’s about it.”
“They
’re just too chicken to approach you,” Jake interjected. “Gina Rawlins came over after you left my locker this morning and asked me who my hot new friend was.”
“Gina didn’t recognize me? That’s nuts. We sat next to each other in freshman English. It’s not like we were close, but how do you see someone every day for a semester and not recognize them because they got a haircut?” Andy was baffled.
“It’s more than a haircut, Andy,” I corrected him. “Your new look conveys a lot more confidence. Your face and body aren’t hidden. You give off the attitude of a different person, therefore, you look like a different person.”
“But there was nothing wrong with me before. It’s not like I wasn’t confident,” Andy argued.
“No,” I agreed, “there wasn’t anything wrong with you. You just stand out a little more now. That’s all.”
“I don’t want to stand out…” he grumbled under his breath.
“Wasn’t that the point of all this? To make sure you got picked up at the auction?” Lilly asked.
“I guess so.” Andy exhaled.
“Trust me, Andy, the attention from a few fine ladies will be worth it.” Jake slapped his back in reassurance, but it didn’t look like it helped.
. . . . .
I beat Andy to art class later that day, so I had time to pay attention to the reactions people had when he walked in the room. Just as I expected, everyone noticed. Even Todd and Tim gave him the once-over before he sat down. A couple of the girls in the front of the room whispered and giggled while sneaking a peek. Ms. Price commented on how nice his new haircut looked.
When Andy sat down next to me, I expected him to be excited or even happy that his transformation was having the desired effect. But he didn’t look excited or happy. He mostly looked wary.
“Hey.” I smiled tentatively, elbowing him lightly in the arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“I’m looking at your expression, and that’s not nothing. Are you still worried about your art project? Because you don’t need to be.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m already finished. I took it home with me yesterday and spent the night working on it after you and Jake left. I’m still having a hard time with all the staring.” He nodded at the girls up front, then reached into his bag and withdrew a thin, hard portfolio book. He opened it up and pulled out the portrait to show me.
Perfectly You (The Perfect Series Book 2) Page 6