Page 57 of Shifting Sands

Andie smiled, sinking back in her chair as her sister and friends continued to chat about Lobster Bay news, thinking how right it felt to sit here with them.

There was none of the worry from weeks ago about whether she was doing the right thing or if she was missing out on something more important or more fun. No, this was her place. Her home. She’d done her roaming, but now she was back, and strangely enough, Andie didn’t think she’d want to leave here ever again.

Lobster Bay was where her family, her friends, and the love of her life were anchored, and now, so was she. Finally, she thought, she was exactly where she belonged.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Later that night, Andie stood alone in her empty apartment, her mind filled with ideas about where to place the furniture Maxi had suggested. She’d already gone through Maxi’s recommendations at least twice. Still, she went over them again because she wanted to make sure she ordered the right size pieces for the room.

Glancing at the time, Andie closed her computer and put it to the side. Shane was coming any minute now, and she’d spent so much time going over the furniture, she hadn’t really prepared for his visit.

Thoughts of Shane’s impending arrival made her stomach flutter as if it were filled with butterflies. Would he like her place? Everything was so empty…

Really should have gotten on that before, girl, she muttered to herself as she heard his car pull up.

Two minutes later, he was standing in the middle of her living room, his eyes surveying the empty space while quiet surprise was reflected in his gaze. A low whistle passed across his lips. “Boy, I guess you like to live minimally now, huh?”

Andie laughed and swatted at his arm. “I haven’t had a chance to order furniture yet. I was thinking I’d put a sectional over here,” Andie added quickly, pointing to a spot in front of the fireplace. She didn’t want him getting the impression the emptiness meant she wouldn’t be here long enough to furnish the place. True, she didn’t have furniture yet, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t staying.

“That seems like a good place for a sectional,” Shane offered noncommittally.

“And two chairs and a small table could make a sitting area at the front windows,” Andie told him as she walked into the dining area next to the kitchen. “Do you think I should get a rectangular table or a round one?”

Shane stood back to assess the area then turned his inquisitive gaze on her. “I’m not sure, Andie, but I think it matters more what you want.”

It sounded like he was testing her, perhaps not realizing why she wanted his input. She decided to set him straight right away. “I was hoping for your opinion, since I’m hoping we’ll be having lots of dinners here together.”

Shane’s body language changed. He came to stand in front of her, his eyes full of hopeful longing.

“Then I think a round one. But make sure you can put the chairs close together. Very close,” he said, reaching out for her.

The thought made Andie smile, and she put her arms around his waist then tilted her head back to look up at him. “Good idea. I feel like we missed so much, so many years that we spent apart.”

He smiled down at her. “Don’t worry. We have a lifetime to catch up.”