Nick never realized, until they had became a couple how many guys looked at Jess when she sat at the bar. Of course he knew that she got noticed, how could she not. It used to slightly bug him. Now, well now it damn right annoyed him.
Most people who visited the bar, the regulars, knew that Jess was off limits. The newer people learnt quickly. They never flouted their relationship, it was just plain obvious that Jess was there to see Nick and Nick only.
Except one...it was unfortunate that Jess worked with this one.
It was a busy Friday night and Jess was actually having a glass of pink wine, with spending so much time at the bar she now barely drank, not wanting to look like an alcoholic. But it was Friday and it had been a long week. So she relaxed.
"Jess? Hey how are you?" Jess turned around to see one of the other teachers at her new school, who she hadn't had much time to talk to yet.
"Peter right? I'm good how are you?"
It was nice to have someone to talk to Nick, had been really busy tonight so he hadn't had much time to talk as usual.
"Pete please, I'm great, it's Friday. I'm at a bar what more could I ask for."
Jess laughed she liked this guy he seemed friendlier than he did at school.
"Hey can I get you a drink? Looks like you have nearly finished this one."
Jess being slightly naive, didn't really catch on to his manner. Why would she, there was only one person in this bar who she had eyes for, why would she think about anyone else. That someone was now making his way to Jess and her new friend.
Pete failed to notice the smile that now made its way on to Jess's face too eager to order more drinks.
Nick caught onto this guy in an instant. "What can I get ya?"
"I'll have a beer, what ever you've got, and this lovely lady will have another of.."
Before he could finish the sentence Nick got out the bottle of Jess' favorite wine and filled her glass.
Pete found this very funny "Come here a lot do you?"
"Thanks Nick" Jess ignored Pete's remarked. One look at Jess and his grumpiness went away. He gave her a quick wink before moving of to get the guy's beer. Plopping it down not so gently in front of him.
"That be $4"
"I'm paying for her wine too."
"That drink doesn't count. $4 for the beer?"
Pete just shrugged his shoulders "I think the barman, has a little crush on you."
Jess gave one of her loud laughs "you think?"
Nick didn't hear why she was laughing, all he saw was them two at the edge of the bar laughing and talking. Jess must have been having fun her arms and hands were animated.
Nick knew he was being stupid but he couldn't help it. He was jealous, it was unjustifiable, for god sake she was allowed to talk to other guys. But it was him that was making Nick annoyed, Jess may have not have noticed it but Pete was moving closer and closure to her. Now he was leaning over Jess to look at something she was writing on a napkin. Going around behind her to what looked like suggesting a new thing.
How many times did he have to tell her, every time a guy wanted to show something to a girl that was always the way. Still remembering the time that he showed her an example of this in the kitchen when picking up the mug. How it didn't hit him then, the amount he had actually liked her was beyond him. He was too busy at the time to prove himself right.
Jess was so focused on the piece of paper in front of her that she hadn't noticed how close Pete had got. They were talking about her ideas that she had for the school. He seemed to like her ideas, so she got out her plan that she was working on. She may have got a bit carried away but she really believed in what she was saying. It was nice someone else agreed.
Nick had been avoiding Jess all night, his jealously getting the better of him. Maybe Jess would be better off with someone like Pete, who would buy her drinks rather than serve them. The insecurities that most days he tried to lock away had been released when he saw Jess talking with that guy.
No Jess was his girlfriend, he was going to do something about this. Nick knew exactly what he was going to do, taking the phone out of his pocket and hiding round the back. "Hey Winnie, buddy, pal of mine. What you up to?"
20 minutes later Winston walked into the bar. "Jess. Hello fancy seeing you here." He over exaggerated his greeting. Nick rolled his eyes, he had told Winston to play it cool.
"I thought you had to sleep early tonight?" Jess was very confused as to why Winston was here.
"Err yeah couldn't sleep so I thought I would come down to this bar to see my good friend Nick."
Nick walked over to him hoping to stop Winston before he let out what he was really doing there. "Hey Winston you want a drink?"
"Well hello Nick. Why yes I would like a drink. I will take a coke as I am having to work later."
Jess looked between Nick and Winston who looked like they were having their own silent conversation.
"Nicholas Miller!"
"Yes Jess?" He tried to act innocently but all he could think was uh oh busted.
"A word please."
"Jess now isn't the time."
"Now is exactly the right time."
Jess dragged Nick from out the bar and to a place they could talk without ears listening in.
"Did you seriously wake Winston, so he would interrupt me taking to Pete?"
"No, that's crazy"
Jess gave Nick that told him that she did not believe him for a second.
"We were talking about work Nick, I was telling him the ideas I had to try and get the kids more involved at school. That was it. How could you not trust me?"
"What Jess no, of course I trust you. It's other guys I don't trust. You may have been talking about work but he was seeing and hearing something different. Did you not see how close he was getting."
"Not really I wasn't paying too much attention to him. But next time talk to me. I can't believe after everything we have been though you are still playing these games."
"Jess I'm sorry, you right I should have, it's just... Well it's just that when I see you with a guy like that, I can't help but think you would be better off."
Jess soften, she wish Nick could see himself the way she saw him "Nick, I want to be with you. No one else."
"Yeah sure." It's not that he didn't believe what she was saying, he felt like this couldn't last. It was just too good, things didn't happen like this for him.
Jess could tell he was still struggling with what she was saying. Hopefully with time he would get that she is in this for the long haul. Leaning up, put her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on the side of his cheek.
"Have to say jealous Nick Miller is very sweet."
"I m sure you believe that."
"I do! Spencer never use to care if another guy was bothering me."
"Stupid jackass, never knew what he had." He was hugging her back now. Wishing they were at home. This would be a lot more fun.
Back at the bar Pete and Winston were watching the couple in the corner.
"Did I get in the middle of something there? She never said she had a boyfriend."
Winston smiled fondly at the couple. "When they first got together it was odd for the rest of us, but for them very little changed, I think that they forget that not everyone knows."
"They serious then?" Pete inquired.
Winston laughed "We know they love each other, just waiting for them to figure it out.. Knowing them it might take awhile."
"Guess I was wasting my time here tonight then." Pete muttered as he walked off to the other side of the bar where he would hopefully have more luck.
