𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜. - 𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚢 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚐

never hurt me.

We get up quickly when we hear the door opening. Teri gets in with Chad. My eyes pop out and Teri can already tell what was happening in here, but she provokes. "What's up?" Andy takes a glimpse of me and he can tell I'm scared as fuck. His fingers keep bumping rhythmically on his jeans but nothing comes out of his mouth, even though he opens it to tell something. Chad must think we were fornicating or something.

"We were just eating this piece of shortcake, that's all."

Teri looks up and down on me and the silence reigns. After some seconds of all of us staring at each other weirdly, she breaks her silence. "Okay then." I know you know what was happening here, you cynical.

She looks back at Chad. "I don't think we're gonna hump today, you should go home." My eyes and Andy's pop right after she says that. I look at him, embarrassed, but he's too. Teri shows Chad the door, but before she closes it, he tries to kiss her. She dodges him and closes the door on his face. Why is she treating him like this? I thought she liked him.

"You know it could be anyone, right?" She asks, throwing herself on the couch.

"We're not doing anything wrong Teri." He says, bypassing the chair and going towards her.

She takes her phone and forgets about us in the room. I take the empty plate and I feel Andy watching me. Every time we meet, things get... romantic, in a way. We always end up almost give in, and that scares me. I want him more than anything but I can't do it with him committed to Joanna. I respect her, and him, and myself as well. I deserve a man who can love me tenderly and completely. Just me.

"I'm gonna go." He says, holding me from the back, leaning his head on my right shoulder.

I take a deep breathe. "Ok." I turn around and his face is so close to mine, that I can feel his breath against my skin. He stares at me and I can feel my pupils dilate. A smile plays around the corners of Andy's mouth. He takes his phone and keys on the courter and head to the door. I get in front of him, so I can open the door for him. Before leaving, he turns back and the door is half-closed, showing that I'm watching him leave. He pecks my lips so quickly that I don't have the time to close my eyes during it. I get surprised and he giggles before getting inside the elevator. My cheeks are burning and I can tell that they are red.

I close the door and I see Teri gazing at me with her arms crossed on her legs.

"What?" I ask, pretending I don't know why she's mad at me.

"You know this thing you guys are doing is wrong."

I walk toward her. "We don't do anything. We kinda flirt with each other, but that's it. Besides... I deserve someone that's just mine."

I throw myself on the couch beside her. I take a deep breath and she leans her hand on my knee.

"You deserve the world, girl. I feel like he's going to hurt you."

"Andy would never hurt me, you know that."

"Not intentionally." She stares at my eyes, feeling like it would be more effective to send the record straight."

"I know you may be worried about it, but I'm a grown woman. I've been through a lot of shit in the past, but I'm willing to bet on us. I'm willing to give love a second chance. If it makes sense."

"I know you... and I know Andy." She holds my hand. "You know I only want the best for you. I want this relationship to work, but you guys are not going to last with this beginning. You're not being honest. Have you told him about your pregnancy?"

"I won't tell him. He doesn't need to know that."

"But I think you should tell him your secrets, so he doesn't keep secrets from you."

"This is in the past. It's where it belongs. I'm not going to bring it up again." I get up, feeling nervous. "It hurt me, left me scars... and I'm not gonna be the one to open this wound again. I refuse to suffer once more.

I walk towards the stairs and my steps are heavy, full of anger.