Chapter 4
The next morning, Nancy woke up to the smell of pancakes and bacon. Confused and surprised, she trotted down stairs and found Ned in the kitchen with an apron on. Nancy didn't know what sight to be more surprised at; Ned in her house at 8 o'clock in the morning or Ned in a frilly old lady apron. Never-the-less, she burst out laughing.
"What's so funny, Nancy?" He asked with a mock serious look on his face.
"You—in –a –pink –lacy -apron!!" she exclaimed between laughs.
Finally, Ned cracked. He laughed and took the apron off. "Jeez, I'll never do anything nice for you again if all you do is laugh at me!" he teased.
Nancy finally stopped laughing, her sides hurting, and her eyes watering. "So Nickerson, how did you get in here?"
Ned playfully rolled his eyes. "Nance, I hung around with you for 5 years and then some. Don't you think I would have learned how to pick a lock by now?"
"Come on Nickerson, you would have never broken into my apartment. I know you too well." Nancy retorted.
Ned sighed dramatically. "Fine, you caught me. I used the spare key you leave under your mat when you didn't answer the doorbell."
Nancy laughed. "Well, it was very nice of you, but you really didn't have to do this."
"I know, but I wanted to do a little something for you. You know like how I used to." He said quietly, blushing.
Nancy felt a wave of courage come over her. She walked over to Ned and gave him a hug. "Thanks." She whispered. They gazed deep into each other's eyes and leaned in. Just as their lips were about to touch, the smoke alarm went off. Ned jumped away and yelled "Shot! The bacon!" He groaned and rushed to retrieve the burnt bacon, and Nancy chuckled.
"We always get interrupted like that." She said.
Ned smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, we do. Now do you think you could help me fix breakfast? You always were the better cook. Remember that French cooking class we took together?"
Nancy went over to help him. "Yes. I remember it like it was yesterday. You were so jealous of that chef-"
Ned cut her off. "Oh, yeah like you haven't been jealous before." He teased.
Nancy looked down. "Ned, um, do you remember when you came in before your second wedding planning meeting with me and you said that uh, you still…" she trailed off.
"Love you?" Ned finished for her in a whisper. "I meant it."
Tears filled Nancy's eyes. "Ned…I-"
She was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone. They both groaned. At this rate, they were never going to sort out their feelings.
Nancy finished breakfast, while Ned answered the call. She couldn't help but notice how pale his face was getting. He finally hung up and looked at Nancy.
"Nan, you know how I gave Bess the check for part of my wedding?" Ned asked.
"Yeah," Nancy said slowly. She didn't like where this was going.
"It's gone." He said bluntly. "Bess went to take it out of the bank today since Gabriella and I aren't getting married and it was stolen."
Nancy sighed. She was back to square one. It wasn't the week before the wedding, and it wasn't the final payment. "Ned, I am so sorry. Was it a huge amount?"
Ned shook his head. "It was only the cost for the flowers, and it's not like I'm struggling for money, but it completely blows our idea out. It doesn't go with the pattern."
"I know." Nancy said. "I have to get into my office. Bess is probably a wreck. She gets so flustered and upset."
Ned nodded. "I would come, but I have a game at 3 today. I really can't miss it."
Nancy completely understood, but still wished he could come with her. "That's fine Ned. Don't worry about it. Can you pick me up after the game?"
"Sure Nan. But before I go…do you remember what I used to do for good luck before my games?" Ned asked shyly.
Nancy was confused. He couldn't mean what she thought he meant…could he?
He came closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Nancy's instinctively went up around his neck. They leaned in and their lips met in a sweet, lingering kiss. Nancy reluctantly pulled back and gave him a little smile.
"I'll see you later, Ned." She pecked his cheek. "We um, should talk about…you know…"
He nodded and then grinned. "Yeah. Thanks for the good luck kiss."
Nancy blushed. "Anytime, Nickerson."
They smiled at each other, and Nancy knew that they would have many good luck kisses in the future.
Author
Note: Read and Review! I
hope you are enjoying the story so far! I'm thinking I'll finish
it in about 2 more chapters. Keep a look out for updates!