Jess was tired she knew she should go home, she had an early start in the morning but she couldn't bring herself to leave the bar. She had barely seen Nick in two weeks and she was really starting to miss him. Christmas time was always busy at Clyde's and it was the time of year he made the most extra cash so she didn't want to complain. She was perched on a stool at the end of the bar with her head resting on her hand. She was so happy just to stare at him and watch him work. Nick would always complain and joke about his job but the truth is he worked damn hard. He had worked back to back shifts for days and he looked exhausted. Her heart ached for him a little bit.

Just as she was getting lost in her thoughts he walked over wearing a tired smile. "hey you" he said as he leaned over the bar to kiss her gently. He
lowered his head slightly as she ran her hands through his hair kissing his forehead."I'm so sorry Jess I really wanted some time with you tonight but it's just so cra..." She kissed him on the lips cutting him off. "You don't need to apologise to me Nick, I'm here, you're here and right now that's enough".

Thats wasn't strictly true and they both knew it, it wasn't enough.

Nick hated how much he was at the mercy of the bar, he couldn't just say no to a shift, he couldn't just take a few days off. There was a thousand college students lined up to snap up his job if he did and Shane wasn't known for her flexibility where he was concerned. He had seen so little of Jess though,she had come to the bar almost every night but truth be told that made him feel more guilty.

As they continued to lean across the bar towards one another playing with each others hands Jess' attention was drawn to Shane who standing at the back of the bar talking to two young girls who couldnt have been more than 20 or 21. It still made jess uncomfortable that Shane still worked there but she never mentioned it to Nick, he had no control over it after all.

Nick followed Jess stare to see what she was looking at over his shoulder. "oh them...two newbies Shane has taken on. She's trying to draw a younger crowd in here or some crap like that but hey if they help me get some time off then I'm all for it" Nick said casually.

"They look pretty young" Jess said her brow furrowed and her eyes squinting in their direction.

"Yep looks like I'll have to brush up on my MTV, or is it Saved by the Bell...Sesame Street?" Nick said jokingly, trying to elicit a chuckle from her as
he noticed a wave of concern go over her face. He knew it sill bothered Jess that he worked with Shane even though she never mentioned last thing he wanted to do was say anything to make that worse. As her face cracked into a smile he went to kiss her again just as Shane called over to him.

"Miller, it's really lovely to see you relaxing with your little friend while we're so busy but if you would be kind enough to spare a moment I need you
to show Stacey and Victoria how to change the barrels"

Jess, always trying to be the bigger person, mustered a smile at Shane which was met blankly. She took that as her cue to leave.

"Hey Nick you're busy I'm gonna take off."

"No wait five minutes and I'll walk you to your car"

"No no it's fine really I parked right outside" Jess gathered up her books and bag and leaned over to kiss Nick on the cheek. "I'll keep the bed warm for
you" she whispered as she pecked him again and walked away. Nick just sighed as he watched her leave wanting so badly to leave with her.

"Miller let's go" Shane barked. He turned slowly on his heels and followed the girls down to the basement.

Nick continued to patiently go through the dos and don'ts of changing the barrels with the strong sense that neither of them were listening. He felt himself getting more annoyed as they muttered and giggled to one another every time his back was turned. All he wanted was to be at home with Jess in bed talking, laughing and making love which is exactly what his mind had drifted to when he realised the girls had stopped talking and were staring
right at him expectantly.

"uh so that's basically it, I think we're done here for now." Nick made a start to leave as Stacey grabbed his arm stopping him.

"Wait, I think I need you to show me one more time, there are a couple of things I didn't get"

Nick tensed up at the overfamiliar arm grab from someone he had just met. He knew she was messing with him, but he also knew that if one bad word got back to Shane he would be out of there. He sighed and restarted the process. Once again Stacey started whispering to the other girl and Nick could feel his annoyance starting to rise.

An hour or so later as Nick was mixing cocktails for a group of women had come right after work and proceeded to get louder and more intoxicated, Stacey appeared next to him and started drying glasses.

"So that was your girlfriend who was in here earlier? I say girlfriend cos I don't see a ring...not totally off the market yet huh?"

Nick looked at her and shifted a little uncomfortably. "yeah, Jess, she's my girlfriend"

"Cool, cool, so have you guys been together long?"

"6 months" Nick answered reluctantly staring away from her.

"Oh ok so it's still early days then...does she come in here a lot"

"She has lately cos we havent seen much..." Nick trailed off. "Look I gotta get these drinks over to those women so could you see to these other customers please...thanks" he said with a half hearted smile as he walked away with the tray of drinks.

Stacey served the handful of guys standing at the bar glancing at Nick every minute or so. When the last customer had walked off with his whiskey Stacey sauntered over to Victoria

"What do you think of Nick?"

"What do you mean?" Victoria asked as she stacked the clean glasses back on the shelves

"Do you think he's cute? I think he's really cute in a rough manly kinda way"

"I think he's way too old for you and I think he's spoken for...that's what I think" Victoria replied dismissively,
before disappearing down into the cellar.

"hmmm" Stacey sounded to herself cooly disregarding her colleagues comment as she continued to glare at Nick.