Thanks so much for the reviews guys! I feel like i've got a little more of a pathway to follow now. It's going to be a little slow and drawn out... I just can't figure out how else to do it. Sorry!
Two hours had passed since Jess's mini breakdown and she was feeling a lot better than expected. Lying in bed, fixated on Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's chemistry, she barely heard the ding of her phone on the bedside table besides her. Turning to grab it, she saw his name on the screen.
Jess, I'm sorry about earlier. Swing by the bar if you get a chance later on?
Nick xx
She couldn't help but bite her bottom lip in attempt to contain her smile as she pulled her phone to her chest. Maybe she hadn't been able to tell him exactly how she felt, but she sure did get some things off her chest.
It was 9pm by the time Nick saw her take a seat on the bar stool that, over the years, had become hers.
"Hi" he whispered, his voice raspy like it hadn't been used for a while. He placed a glass of her favourite pink wine on the coaster in front of her, smiling as he took in her bright and refreshed smile.
"I'm going to need to find a new bar you know Nicholas." Nick could hear the complacent tone in her voice as he squinted, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Anyone around here would think this bartender knows me too well… and I can't get a reputation as the girl who spends all her time alone at the bar". She laughed, clearly pleased that she had managed to break the small but present tension between the two of them.
"God woman! First you cover my favourite button up in your tears and now you threaten to get rid of half my customers?" His face softened. "You look great tonight, Jess, I swear, half the guys in here are hanging around just to check you out."
Jess began to swirl her quickly disappearing wine as her cheeks turned his favourite kind of red.
"Look Jess, about earlier..."
"Oh speaking of earlier, Mr Its-not-that-hard-to-say-i-love-you... I had a little chat with Reagan after you left and it seems I may not be the only one who has a problem saying those 3 'little' words!"
Nick winced. He could tell she was finding this quite entertaining, but he wanted nothing more than to avoid this conversation at all costs.
"Another wine, Jessica?" He said with a tight expression, focusing his eyes anywhere but on hers. He knew she wasn't going to drop it that easy, but she sure was a sucker for him using her full name.
"Good try Nicholas." She smirked. She knew he knew. "I just think it's real funny that you can go on and on about how Robby and I have been together for a while blah blah blah and here you are with your girlfriend of what, 6 months? Whom you share a bedroom with, whom you moved to New Orleans with. And you're telling ME I'm the chicken?"
Their eyes met and she dropped her shoulders in a sigh.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to say here, Jess?"
"I just want you to be honest with me, Nick." Jess's eyes went wide as she stuttered quickly to correct herself. "I mean Reagan… You have to be honest with Reagan."
Nick's face went from soft and interested to full blown turtle face before Jess could even meet his eyes again.
"Jessica Damn Day." He screeched her name with his teeth clenched. "I'm so sick of you getting involved in my life. This is between me and Reagan. If she has a problem, I should be the one she talks to about it. Me. Her boyfriend. Not my know-it-all ex-girlfriend."
The look on her face was as raw as he'd ever seen as the tears started to well up in her eyes. The whole night had taken a complete turn that she did not see coming.
"Maybe she would talk to you if you weren't such a stone cold, has no feelings, asshole."
Nick shook his head. He hated that he always made her upset, but she just knew so well how to push his buttons. He let out a big breath and closed his eyes.
"Get outta here already, would ya. We can't even hold a conversation for longer that 20 minutes without me making you cry."
Jess swung the rest of her wine down her throat and headed for the door, without even looking in his direction.
After a long and soothing shower, jess put on her favourite pyjama set and headed towards her bedroom.
"Jess!" Reagan called out, way too eager for Jess's concern.
"Um yeh, Reagan, whats up"
"I'm about to put on a movie, wanna stay up for a bit with me? The popcorn is cooking as we speak!"
"Give me two seconds and I'll be right out!" Jess put on a cheery tone as she turned to her bedroom and shut the door behind her. I can't let him think he gets to me. She told herself over and over.
Moving out to sit on the couch besides Reagan and the bowl of popcorn, they started to watch as the opening credits came on. About fifteen minutes into the movie, the loft door swung open.
"Nick! You're home early!" Reagan jumped off the couch towards the light switch as Nick made a B-line straight to his bedroom.
"Raincheck on the movie Jess? Sorry but I've got to go deal with that. I mean, I'm the one that's supposed to be mad, right?'