Nick and Reagan decided on a little French Café not far from the loft. Nick was actually really calm on the car ride to the Café. They never really talk much in the car anyways Reagan always likes to blast her music the entire ride to wherever they're going. It's usually Adele or Sam Smith, so he didn't really mind at least she had good taste in music.
They were greeted by a young host. He asked how many and took them to a small table for sat down by a window seat close to the door. Nick thought he could do this just about an hour of pointless conversation and then they'd be back at the loft. That's when Reagan started asking Nick questions. Nick instantly felt a bit of uneasiness starting to kick in.
"So what did you do over the weekend?" She asked looking down at the menu.
"Um nothing much after you left Friday I just went to work and came home." Nick said as he pretended to read the menu but only really scanning his eyes over the words. He'd been there a few times and only ever got the two things he loved.
"Yea sorry again about Friday...did you have a better day on Saturday?"
"I–It was good...didn't really do much in the morning went to work and then me and Jess just watched a movie once I got off..." Nick knew if he told at least some of the truth it would make this whole lying thing a lot easier.
"Oh that's all you did while I was away?" Reagan said looking up from the menu.
"Pretty much. Nothing too exciting. Do you know what you want to eat?" He tried to get her off topic about his weekend. He didn't even care to ask about hers because he just wanted to get off the entire topic of the weekend.
"Yea I think I'm going to get the iced chai tea and a lemon tart."
"Sounds good I want the crème brûlée and the pistachio macaroon." He waved the waiter over so they could order. At least if they had food in their mouths they wouldn't have to talk as much and then they could hurry up and leave. He's not even sure why he agreed to go to brunch. It was mostly panic from both the girls standing in the same vicinity stressed him out, so he just let the panic take over and agreed to get food.
Meanwhile at the loft Jess was sitting on her bed. She was stretched out in some leggings and a sports bra . She decided to text Cece to see if she wanted to come over.
Hey Cece...I really need to talk to you can you come over in about an hour if you're not busy?
Ding.
Yea babe everything okay? I can be there in 30 minutes if that works? Schmidt and I just got home from the farmers market.
Ding.
Everything okay...just need to let some things off my chest. And yea sounds good.
Ding.
Of course Jess. I'll be there in a bit just need to put the stuff away. Do you need me to bring you anything?
Ding.
No thanks just be ready to listen to me vent.
Jess felt so overwhelmed with everything that had taken place last night and this morning, she knew all she needed was her best friend. No matter the situation Cece always made her feel better.
Almost exactly 30 minutes later Cece was over and ready to listen. The best friends were sitting on Jess's bed eating mini pretzels and drinking lemonade.
"So what's up Jess?"
Jess took another big gulp of her lemonade.
"Nick and I had sex last night." Jess waited for her friend to say something but instead Cece motioned for her to elaborate.
"He's been so stressed with Reagan and work...and we were watching a movie and he started touching me... and one thing after another— I'm freaking out because I would never sleep with another woman's boyfriend...it's not like me." Jess said feeling tears start to cloud her vision.
"Well— do you regret it?" Cece asked.
"N–y–nno to be honest and I know I should because it's wrong. But we talked this morning and we're both kinda okay with it I guess?" Jess said feeling the tears fall from her eyes.
"Then why are you crying babe?" Cece knew that she just needed to get all the questions out of the way before she could give any advice.
"I think I'm crying because I'm sad he's not with me. I'm upset because I know if Reagan finds out it'll hurt her. I'm angry because I wish he would just break up with her. I'm just a mess." Cece reached over and hugged Jess.
"Well what I think you should do is just try and act normal. If you and Nick both agreed on keeping it between yourselves...which I'm sure you did, than keep it that way for now. But you and I both know that if we were Reagan we would want to know." Cece pulled away from Jess so she could wipe her tears off her cheeks.
"We did agree to keep it a secret. And I know when the timing is right everything will come to light. I can't believe we did this Cece. The more I talk about it the more I feel bad. But I didn't regret sleeping with him... nothing is making sense right now." Jess started to roll the bag of pretzels until it was closed.
"How about we get you out of the loft and go do something fun. Maybe like mani and pedi? My treat." Cece smiled.
"Okay, but I need to not look like the loft troll so give me a little to get ready." Jess giggled.
Back at the Cafè Nick and Reagan were done eating and ready to leave. They talked mostly about the new show they had been watching, and Reagan insisted on going on a mini vacation to the mountains some time soon.
"Nick I really am glad I have you in my life. I feel like we balance each other out pretty well." Nick in the back of his mind was screaming hell no we don't. He wasn't sure why he couldn't just break up with her. He just cared so much about her feelings, which sucked because he knew if it came down to his feelings she wouldn't care.
"I'm glad too Reagan." He opened the car door for her. She smiled kissing him quickly and then getting in the car.
If Nick was honest with himself he did love Reagan. But not the same way he loved Jess. Reagan's love was more of a really good friend kind of love. The kind of love you would help move a friend into a new apartment. The kind of love you would visit a friend in the hospital if they got in an accident. The kind of love you think extra hard on what to get him or her for he or she's birthday. Where as the love he had for Jess what the kind of love he wanted to have a future with her. The love he wants to see flourish into a family. The kind of love you want to grow old with.
Okay... so I know pretty short chapter just wanted to get the Reagan and Nick "semi" talk out of the way. And also wanted to bring Cece into this chapter. Next chapter is going to be a little bit of a time jump. So see what happens next;)... also the other characters will most likely be in the next chapter.