After work, I went back to my apartment because Andrew had a couple of late meetings and I didn’t want to sit at his place by myself. I needed some time with Jasper and Emma. When I arrived home, I could smell the aroma of Jasper’s cooking throughout the apartment.

“Hey.” I smiled as I walked over and kissed his cheek.

“Hey, baby girl. Have a seat. Dinner will be ready in a minute.”

“It smells amazing in here. I’m starving.”

I walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine and grabbed a glass from the cabinet.

“I was surprised when you called and said you were coming home. I figured you’d be a permanent fixture at Andrew’s place,” Jasper spoke.

“He has a couple of late meetings and I didn’t want to stay there by myself. Listen, something’s been bothering me, Jasper,” I spoke as I took a seat at the island.

“What is it?” He cocked his head.

“Ever since Andrew and I have been seeing each other, he hasn’t taken me out and he won’t.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I’m not. The only public place we went to was that restaurant the night after the club. Every time I suggest we go out to eat or something, he always has an excuse as to why he doesn’t want to.”

“Maybe the man is a homebody. Some people are like that. They’re happy staying in and doing things. But, I’ll agree with you, that is weird. “Have you talked to him about it?”

“Not really. Every time I try to bring it up, we end up in bed.”

Jasper leaned over the counter with a smile on his face.

“Is he as good as I imagine him to be?”

The corners of my mouth curved upwards. “Better.” I took a bite of my filet.

“Damn, Addy.” He grinned. “Maybe what you need to do is cut him off for a while. No sex until he takes you out.”

“Isn’t that a little harsh?” I asked as I raised my brow.

He shrugged. “Something isn’t adding up. There’s got to be a reason he doesn’t want to go out. A man like Andrew London doesn’t seem to be that type of guy. Did you Google him?”

“Yeah, and it’s like he’s a ghost. The only thing that came up was an article of him taking over London Arc Corporation after his father died.”

“There’s no pictures of him and other women?” Jasper asked as he shoved a forkful of green beans in his mouth.

“Nope. Nothing. It’s weird.”

“Then you’re left with no choice but to talk to him about it.”

I sighed. “I guess I’m going to have to.”

After Jasper and I ate and cleaned up, he left for work and I laid down on the couch. I closed my eyes for a few moments and must have drifted off to sleep.

"Addison," AJ yelled from the lawn of my house.

I ran out of the house as Madeline would yell, "Don't slam the door." Nonetheless, I always slammed it anyway.

AJ would wait for me and we’d grab hands, running down to the beach and planting ourselves in the sand.

"I brought the buckets to build the sandcastles,” he spoke.

We sat in the sun for hours building the castles and talking about kid stuff. Between the two of us, we built some really awesome sandcastles. A little more sophisticated than your average eight-year-olds. Suddenly, it was the day Charlie died. We had just returned back to the shore and I stood on the boat and stared at AJ as he and his family were out on the deck. My eyes were red and swollen and Madeline put her arm around me and escorted me off the boat. AJ’s mother and father came down and tried to console her while AJ just stood there with his hands tucked into the pockets of his shorts, staring at me. He slowly began to walk towards me and then hooked his arm around me.

“Let’s go build a sandcastle, Addison. We’ll build one for your dad.”

I looked over at my mother and she gave me a simple nod, telling me that it was okay. We sat down in the sand with our buckets and began to build one big castle together. I’d never forget how he was there for me. The sun was setting just as we finished. People all along the beach stopped to see the magnificent castle we built in honor of my father. AJ reached over and placed his hand on mine.

“Remember what your dad always told you. If you're ever sad or lonely, just look at the stars, for they will watch over you and light your way." He leaned over and lightly kissed my cheek.

I gave him a small smile and then I heard Madeline shouting my name from the patio door. That was the last time I’d ever see AJ again.

I awoke to several knocks on the door and my eyes soaking wet. I got up, looked through the peephole, and saw Andrew standing there.

“What the fuck, Addison?!” he shouted as he walked inside. “I’ve been calling you and texting you for over an hour.”

“I didn’t know. I fell asleep.” I stared at him blankly.

“Have you been crying?” His voice calmed.

I wiped my eyes and went into the kitchen for a glass of water.

“I just had a dream about the day Charlie died. I didn’t even mean to fall asleep.”

He walked over to me and wrapped his arms tightly around me, pushing my head against his muscular chest.

“I’m sorry for yelling. I was just worried,” he spoke as he kissed the top of my head.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I broke our embrace.

“I was worried about you. I went home thinking you’d be there and you weren’t. And then when I couldn’t get hold of you, all sorts of thoughts crept into my mind. I thought something happened to you.”

I was on edge from my dream and I could feel some anxiety setting in. I took in a deep breath.

“I’m sorry that I made you worry. I didn’t intend to fall asleep.”

He pulled me into him. “Come back to my place with me. I missed you.”

It was at that moment, I decided to put him to the test.

“Sure. I’d love to. There’s this great new Thai place that just opened up around the block from here. Can we grab some dinner first before heading back to your place?”

“Of course we can. What’s the name of the restaurant? I’ll call us in an order and we can pick it up on the way.” He smiled.

I took in a deep breath as the level of my irritation started to rise.

“I really want to eat inside the restaurant, Andrew.”

He clasped my shoulders.

“Maybe some other time. It’s been a really long day, and I’ve been in back to back meetings. All I want to do is go home with you and cuddle on the couch, eat dinner, and watch a movie. Your choice. Anything you want to watch.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead.

“That sounds nice.” I softly smiled.

“Great. Are you ready now or do you need a few minutes?” he asked.

“I’m ready. Just let me grab my purse.”

The truth was I didn’t feel like going out and I wasn’t even that hungry. I asked him to see what he’d say or what excuse he’d come up with again. The dream I had about Charlie was still fresh in my mind and I didn’t feel like arguing or starting a fight, so I just gave up. Cuddled on the couch with him and watching a movie together sounded like the perfect evening anyway. I’d save my words for next time.