Not A Bad Thing

15. Unknown Roommate & Nasty Comments

It was nine and I was in my pajamas with George cuddled up on the couch watching a dystopian movie while I made popcorn when the doorbell rang.

"I'm not getting it!" George yelled from the couch. I rolled my eyes and looked away from the microwave.

"Thanks for the help," I muttered as I walked to the front door.

Andrew was smiling at me with a bottle of wine in one hand and a brown paper bag in another. "Hey, I remembered where you lived," he chirped as an introduction.

I cursed and looked down to my clothes. "Hey," I awkwardly said.

"Brought wine and croissants," he appeased, and I wanted nothing more than to kiss him all night. Then, though, I remembered I had told George to move in with me. I could see now that it had not been the best decision.

"That's great!" I cheered, still self-conscious about the pajamas.

"Is something wrong? Should I have called first? Sorry, I was trying to be spontaneous," he mumbled with a frown.

"No, it's great!" I grimaced. I was using the word great too much. "Please come in and-"

"Who is that?" George called from the living room.

Andrew looked over my shoulder in that direction and frowned. "I didn't know you would have company." His tone of voice was harsh, and I immediately wanted to amend the situation.

"Please, come in, that's only George." I grabbed his arm and tried to pull him in, but he took his arm out of my grasp.

"Isn't that the George you are always with?" he asked with a clipped voice.

"Well, yeah," I stuttered.

"Great," he sarcastically said. "I guess the next time I want to come I should call in first, to see if you're available," he snapped.

I gaped at him hurt and was about to shoo him out of my apartment when George appeared. "Hello, I'm George, Tess's gay friend." He shook Andrew's hand, who just stared at him.

"What?" he finally uttered.

"Yeah, you're a dick and you just offended my friend, let's not even mention at her own place," George spat dryly.

"I..." Andrew looked back and forth from George to me. "Tess, I...I'm sorry..."

"Alright, now, I am going to take this wine and croissants and go out for a walk meanwhile you make it right, sound good to you?"

George did not even wait for Andrew to answer. He just took the things from Andrew's grasp and walked out of the apartment after fishing for his keys in the blue fish bowl near the front door.

Andrew stood still, just staring at me. "God, I was a complete jerk, wasn't I? And what a first impression I left on your friend there."

I glared at him for a moment longer and then walked away and back into the kitchen. "At least you don't have to worry about me thinking you're perfect anymore." I took the popcorn out of the microwave and searched for a bowl to put it in.

"Tess," he pleaded. "I'm sorry, it's just..." I glanced at Andrew and fished the refrigerator for two cans of Coke. "Whenever I turn around there is a new guy claiming you or being near you. I can never be calm."

I sighed deeply. "What do you want me to do about it, Andrew?" I was surprised that he was acting like this.

He pursed his lips and rested against the counter. I handed him his Coke. I could hear the television going off. The war was at its peak in the movie. "How about be less beautiful so that guys stay away?"

"Nothing I can do about that, sorry." I smirked and he smiled. He took the opportunity and stepped closer to me.

"Sorry, Tess. I just...I had never gotten this jealous before in my life." His blue eyes looked deep and dark tonight and I had to restrain from getting lost in them.

I blushed. "It happens to me too," I confessed. "I thought that now that I was a grown up, I would no longer get jealous, but with you...it's so different."

He planted a kiss on my forehead. "This is crazy. I barely know you and I already need you so much," he murmured against my hair.

"Same," I mumbled, breathing in his scent.

"Should we watch that movie and snuggle?" he asked as he stepped back.

I grabbed the bowl and he grabbed the Cokes. "How much do you know about the dystopian worlds?" I inquired as we exited the kitchen and headed for the living room.

He raised an eyebrow quizzically and shrugged. "How much does it look like I know?"

I giggled. "Zero," I stated.

"That's right."

"Then prepare for a long night."

"I was thinking of something else for a long night, but let's have this," he mischievously said.

I turned to look at him as I sat on the couch and smirked. "Who says it can't be both?"

"Well, George will be back in any moment..."

"So, I guess we better get started, don't you think?" I said and winked at him.