The Other Woman

Summary:

Just my luck, I meet this amazing guy, just to find out he broke my best friend's heart to date me. But I REALLY like him, like, he might be the one. Did I happen to mention this boy is Nick Jonas?

Chapter One

"Shit," I muttered under my breath. I had been held back late at work and I was supposed to be picking up Miley's dry-cleaning at the Chinese Laundromat that closes in four minutes. I glare at my watch, trying to make the hands spin backwards, but I have no such luck. I run up to the door, just as the owner turns the closed sign over. I pound on the door, but suddenly he has reverted back to Chinese and has no idea what 'Open Please!' means. Figures.

I have no choice but to call it a loss. Miley is going to furious, but it's not like I'm not used to her wrath by now. The city has done strange things to us, but I'm still glad we're roommates, if for no other reason but she usually ends up holding up my side of the rent.

I shake my head and take a sip of my coffee. Who knew they could make cappuccino taste like cupcakes? I pull my coat tighter to me against the bitter January frost. Who'd known that Manhattan could be this cold? You'd think that the exhaust alone could keep this place tropical all year.

I stepped out of the doorway and into the flow of foot traffic. I was finally getting used to the massive flow of people that fluctuate through the city all day, along with the subways and the taxis. I still wondered at it like a small child sometimes. Even the snow had taken me by surprise. I had danced on the sidewalk in front of our condo for almost half an hour before Miley called me in, something about catching cold. She sounded so much like my mother sometimes. I smiled at the criticism of my best friend.

I'm still amazed we've been able to stick it out so long. We're so different it's ridiculous. But I guess opposites attract. I haven't seen much of her lately though. She's had a lot of fashion spreads lately, and some new boyfriend she's hiding from me. Good for her though, it's been a while since her last big breakup. I'm still staying out of the dating scene, hoping that one day I'll just trip over the perfect guy. I giggled at the thought.

I got a few strange looks, giggling at myself. These are the times I wish owned one of those Bluetooth headsets. Do you realize how many people get away with laughing at themselves just by having one of those stupid things in their ear?

Instead I pull out my iPod and put it on shuffle. The Clash comes roaring through the ear buds, which turn a few more heads, enough for me to turn it down. I walk like this for a few more blocks, quietly sipping my coffee and listening to Euro-punk, counting the blocks until home. 12-11-10-9…

I pause for only second in front of a newsstand, seeing one of Miley's covers and smiling. Then I grab the Mirror and dig through until I find my article. One day I'll be on the front page, but today I'm on page…17D? I'll take what I can get.

I take another step in what I think is the right direction, but I forget I'm in the reverse flow of traffic and crash headfirst into another innocent bystander. My coffee and briefcase fall directly into the flow of loafers and stilettos, and I watch as the man ducks to pick up the leather brand-name briefcase Miley bought me when I first got published. The coffee was beyond lost.

He ducked into the small alcove created by the newsstand and handed the case back to me. I looked at him for the first time. He looked my age, skinny, tall, and had dark, curly hair that refused to be tamed by the fedora he had tried to cover it with. He took off his sunglasses to look at me and a wave of instant recognition hit me.

"You're Nick Jonas," I said, forgetting to pause for three seconds like Miley told me to.

"Please don't scream," he said, covering his eyes again.

"We're both adults here. I won't scream like a teenage girl," I said, covering my mouth to let out a squeal. Hey, I tried.

He shook his head and I realized this had probably happened to him a thousand and one times over the course of his life. "I'm sorry, habit. I'm Lilly. Thanks for picking up my briefcase, one more stiletto and it would have been toast. If only my coffee had fared better."

I held out my hand and he shook it. I could feel the instant warmth surge up my arm. I looked up into his dark glasses and I could feel that my eyes were connecting with his, even through the lenses. As if to prove me right, he lifted the frames and his eyes bore down on mine.

"It's cold out here. There's a Starbucks at the end of this block. Do you mind if I replace that spilled coffee?"

I thought for a second and then did the only rational thing I could think of. I slapped myself across the face; and it hurt like a mother. I held the side of my face as Nick looked at me questioningly.

"Do you make a habit of slapping yourself across the face?"

"Only when I have to question my own eyes…and ears," I said, trying to recover. I could only hope I hadn't left a hand-shaped mark on my face.

"So, about that coffee?" he continued. I was amazed he was still up for it. I mean, I'd pretty much just admitted I was completely insane. I would have run away from me.

"I'm game if you are," I answered. I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. This is Nicholas Jerry Jonas we're talking about. You just don't screw with that.

We were both smart enough not to try to start a conversation over the noise of the city. As soon as we hit the door of the Starbucks, the wave of warmth hit me. I am so glad I'm doing this, if only for sheer heat.

I give him my order as I take possession of one of the little bistro tables. I pick up the Mirror on the tabletop and leaf through it to admire my little smidgeon of an article. I already had one framed at home, and I'd sent a copy back to my mom. What can I say, it was my baby.

Nick came and sat down across from me and sat the cup in front of me. I picked it up and held it for a second, just for the warmth. I took a sip, but it was still too hot to swig. Neither of us said anything for a few minutes, and I am the first one to acknowledge awkward silences.

"Do you know that lake in Central Park? The one with the ducks?" I ask. I've found the question an easy conversation starter. He nods, so I continue. "Where do the ducks go this time of year?"

He ponders it for a second before answering. "South I guess. Even the geese go south. Why do you ask?"

"Just a question. When I got to Manhattan, I was winging it from Catcher in the Rye. Holden asks that question and never really gets an answer. I'm still trying to find it."

"I'm sorry, I've never read it," he said, still amused by my question.

"Really? Well, I guess it was a cover…" he looks at me questionably again. "Sometimes I feel like the Catcher in the Rye, sometimes I wish that I could catch your eye…"

"I think I underestimated your fandom Miss Lilly," he said, chuckling to himself.

"Oh, so many do. But we all have our dirty little secrets don't we Mr. Jonas," I said, flirtingly. I do have my Elizabeth Bennet moments now and then.

"It seems you have an unfair advantage over me Lilly. You know so much about me, and I know almost nothing about you."

I shake my head, knowing I'll probably tell him my life story, but I start, "My name is Lilly Truscott. I'm from Malibu, and I'd never seen snow until last year. I moved out here with my best friend so she could be a model and I could be a journalist. I just finished up at NYU last year after transferring from U of C Berkeley. I am under contract with the Mirror, even though I'm on page 17D. I live nine blocks that way."

I finished by pointing in the direction I'd been heading in when we, uh, ran into each other. He looked at me, just watching me for a few minutes before continuing.

"Mets or Yankees?"

"Dodgers, which counts because they should still be in Brooklyn. I know you're a Yankees fan, but you just can't beat the Dodgers. Babe Ruth, Jackie Robison…"

"Okay, okay, you've made your point. Costello or Presley?"

"Hmm, battle of the Elvis. Clever. Hmm, tie. Personally, I'd rather listen to Costello, but you can't beat the King. Period."

"Spaghetti or Sushi?"

"Real Italian cooking versus raw fish? You're kidding right?"

"Blazing Saddles or Holy Grail?"

"Are you truly making me choose between Mel Brooks and Monty Python? That's like choosing between…I can't even find an equal genius comparison! Hmm, Blazing Saddles. Crossed more lines. 'Where all the white women at?'" I said, quoting the movie.

We bantered on like this for almost two hours. I don't know about him, but I completely lost track of time. Miley would be wondering what happened to me. We were both still getting used to the city, and I knew my first instinct would be that she had gotten mugged, or raped, or kidnapped. I could only hope her mind wasn't as melodramatic as mine.

"I'm sorry Nick. I should probably get going. My roommate's going to worry. We're both new to the city, and I don't need her putting up missing posters before I get home. The coffee was great…"

"Why is this goodbye? Can I at least walk you home?"

I actually had to think on it for a minute. Its not like I don't want to stay with him, even for a little bit longer, but I have never been good at the whole dropping-off-at-the-doorstep concept. I took one look up into his dark eyes and my defenses crumble.

"Are you sure? I mean you must have better things to do…"

"Nope," he said, completely cutting off my rambling. "Left right?" he said as we came out the door.

"Right"

"Like, right left, or right right?"

"This way," I answer him, dragging him by his elbow into the traffic flowing to the left. Once we had adjusted to the flow of people, I dropped my arm.

I start to realize how cold it really is and I start to blow on my fingertips, realizing how pointless fingerless gloves are. Nick took notice.

"I don't understand you girls and wearing those stupid fingerless gloves. Your fingertips are going to freeze, which is not fashionable. Gangrene is not sexy!" As he ranted he took off his leather gloves and made me put them on.

"Well aren't your hands going to freeze now, genius?"

"Well, this one can go in my pocket, but you'll just have to keep this one from falling off," he said, smiling as he took my hand. I could tell my cheeks were getting pinker, but I was really hoping he blamed it on the cold.

We walked in silent comfort for the next few blocks, and I couldn't help but look up at his face every once in a while to check. Yes, I am really holding hands with Nick Jonas.

We got to the doorstep and I felt this overwhelming feeling of not wanting it to end. I could tell he felt the same way by the way he looked at me and refused to let go of my hand. He stared at me for a few moments before dropping my hand. I went to take the gloves off, but he stopped me.

"Keep them. I'd rather you had all your fingers next time I see you."

It was sweet and I held them to my heart. I realized he said next time and my heart jumped. He wanted to see me again.

"Well what are you going to do? Your hands will freeze."

He reached out and cupped my cheek with the hand I had been holding. Whether it was the fact my cheek was so cold or not, I'll never know, but his touch burned. At the same time he leaned toward me and I could feel his breath hot on my face.

"I don't think they'll freeze," he said, suave and sexy as hell. I felt about a bazillion degrees at my core, and I was literally burning up, no pun intended. I didn't think it could get any hotter, but it did. He leaned toward me and gave me the lightest kiss I've ever experienced. Our lips barely touched, but the jolt that went through me was everything but. He pulled away and it looked like he was guilt tripping himself.

His face changed though as he asked me, "Can I have your number?"

When he asked me, I could barely remember, but I put the digits into his cell phone, Nick Jonas's cell phone.

He stood there and watched me go up the stairs. I held my breath and counted the steps I took up to the door, not putting it past prior experiences to trip and break my head open. I almost expected it. I turned around one last time and smiled at him, just to see him smiling back, his hands rooted in his pockets. I could feel his gloves in mine.

As soon as I entered the hallway, I heard furious footsteps coming down the stairs. I should have been home hours ago…

"Lillian Rebecca! Where do you think you've been?" I started to unravel my layers, holding for the rant, still unable to wipe the smile off my face.

"Out…" I said, trying my best to walk away from her and toward the kitchen, but I heard the tapping of her heels as she followed.

"And where is my dry-cleaning that I asked you to pick up…hold it a second, is that look what I think it is?"

I instinctively frowned and looked at the floor, but I could feel myself blushing. "What look? I have a look?"

"You met somebody! An XY-chromosome somebody! Is he cute, smart, funny? Details!" I swear I didn't hear her breathe once in that entire statement.

"All of the above, but that's all you're going to get Miss I've-Been-dating-a-guy-for-three-weeks-and-still-remain-totally-cryptic."

"Oh crap! Speaking of tall, dark and none of your business, I'm late! I think we're going to move up a level in our relationship tonight…"

As she reached for the knob I asked, "What level would that be?"

She winked just as the door closed, "Ciao!"

I shook my head and laughed a little to myself. Good old Miley. She was never going to change, and for once I was sort of glad.

I debated my options for the night. This could very likely be my last night of being single for a while, I could only hope. I could stay home and have a chick flick night.

Even though the six hour long BBC version of Pride & Prejudice was calling my name, I had a feeling I'd rather get out. I called Erika, this girl I worked with, and asked her if she had plans. She was as single as I was, so we decided to go to one of the local 'shitstops on the way to fame' locales.

I met her at the door, where the bouncer, who knew me by name by now, let us in. The place smelled heavily of cigarette smoke and spilled drinks, but it was starting to grow on me. I'd been dragged here on a date once, and I had grown more attached to the place than I had the guy. Some band that sounded sort of like early Green Day slash Fall Out Boy was rocking their set. I don't think Erika had ever been here before because her hand was hovering close to her nose, waiting to plug it.

"It's fine!" I screamed at her over the music as I found a table near the bar. We ordered drinks and I asked her what was going on. I noticed that she was already distracted by a guy at the bar who was making eyes at her, but she answered me anyway.

"The Announcements section isn't exactly the front page, but after 27 Dresses, it seems a little better. How about you? I saw the article on 17D. Not bad for only being here a year. It was on that Soup Kitchen on 4th right? Cool stuff."

"Yeah, not the only thing that's going right though. I met this guy today, and he was into me, but something was holding him back. I don't know. Is that normal guy behavior?"

"There is no such thing as normal guy behavior. Guys are genetically abnormal. What's his name?" she leaned forward, able to ignore the eyes staring at her from the bar for at least a few moments.

"That's the thing. You remember the Jonas Brothers right? Pop band, good hair…"

"Yeah, sure. I had their posters all over my walls when I was a teenager. What, does he look like one of them or something?"

I smirked and looked away, hoping she would get the hint. She did.

"You mean…ohmigod! Which one?"

"Nick, and he's as cute as ever. And he's as amazing as any fangirl's dream. But I don't know if anything will come of it. I mean, he is Nick Jonas!"

"And you're Lilly Truscott, future award-winning journalist," she said, writing the sentence with her hands. "Don't put yourself down. You're a pretty awesome gal."

We both smiled before I saw her eyes dart back over to the bar, where the guy looked like he was asking his friend whether or not he should come over here. I took one look at Erika and said, "Go ask him to dance, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure, I mean this was supposed to be a girl's night. You're positive right?" she was actually worried about me. Odd considering Miley, who would have forgotten I existed had an opportunity like this had arisen.

"140%. Go on, you're getting older by the second."

She walked over to the bar and then off to the dance floor. I smiled and closed my eyes, just getting into the music. It could have been hours for all I knew, but my phone started vibrating. I looked at the new text and couldn't help hoping it was Nick, but I recognized the number as Miley's. The message was short.

HE DUMPED ME. I NEED YOU, BEN, AND JERRY. LUVZ YA – MILEZ

I shook my head. I was alone anyway, why not? Erika could keep herself busy for the rest of the night. I looked toward the dance floor and I couldn't see her, so I did the next best thing. I walked over to the bar and found the guy who'd been talking to Erika's guy.

"You came here with that guy dancing with my friend right?" he nodded, looking a little dazed.

"When they get back here…wait a minute. What's nine times seven?"

"Sixty-three?"

"Oh good, you're not wasted. When they get back, tell her Miley needed me and I had to leave. Got that?"

He nodded again. Satisfied, I pushed my way through the people and out into the night air. It was actually a beautiful night, between the fresh air and the urban symphony of horns and sirens. I had realized I was a city girl almost as soon as I got here. Don't get me wrong, the beaches of Malibu are amazing, but this feels even homier than that to me. This is home.

I stopped at the Rite-Aid on the corner and picked up the pints of ice cream, Cherry Garcia for me, Half Baked for her. On the next block I stopped at Blockbuster and rented the usual "John Tucker Must Die" and "Say Anything" to watch once Miley cried herself to sleep.

Finally, I came to the doorstep and took a deep breath. This was going to be a long night. Each break up to Miley is the end of the world. Time for the apocalypse.

As soon as I dropped the keys in the bowl by the door, I could hear her sobbing in the living room. I double checked the bags to make sure I had everything, just putting off the inevitable.

"Lilly, is that you?"

I inwardly groaned before yelling back, "Yeah, and I come bearing John Tucker and Half-Baked."

I stopped in the kitchen and picked up two spoons then dropped on the couch. As far as I could tell, she'd been alternating through the endings of Tuck Everlasting, Titanic, and Tristan + Isolde. That kind of stuff could make a unicorn cut itself.

"Lilly, you're a godsend. I know I'm a handful, and I'm sorry," I knew she was just being overemotional, but I pretended she meant it. I walked over to the TV and put in the DVD as she dug into the carton of ice cream.

"So, what happened?" I said, planning to let her vent without actually listening.

"Well, he took me out to eat, and everything was going great. I mean, he was amazing, and a total gentleman. But then I moved to kiss him and he stopped me. He told me that he thought we should break up. He said there was some other girl, and he thought he loved her. I asked him how long he's known her and he told me a few hours, but how could you possibly know you love someone in a matter of hours? So I poured my drink all over him and left. You think I'd have learned after Jake not to date celebrities."

By now she had my full attention. This all sounded oddly familiar.

"He's a celebrity? Would I know him?"

"You should. You've pretty much been in love with him since we were thirteen…" Oh no.

" Cute and sensitive my ass. Nick Jonas is the bastard who broke up with me."

So guys, I've been being pressed to write a new chapter story since I finished Freedom, and I think this is it. Keep in mind that, like Lilly, my Manhattan experience comes from Catcher in the Rye, Just My Luck, The Devil Wears Prada, and an actress friend of mine who lives in Astoria. I'm in suburban Detroit, and the closest I've been to NYC is Buffalo. I hope I have it right though. Anyway, I appreciate constructive criticism, as well as fluffy awesome reviews. Whatev. Just leave feedback :)