Sorry the last chapter was short. The title means in French "art exhibitions and martini glasses". Enjoy and please review!
People filled the museum with talks and chatter about the pieces that were displayed. Alice was holding tight onto Nick's arm. He had his hands in his pocket. Alice lead them to this sculpture of a naked woman on a unicycle. 'This place is weird' Nick thought. They have been there for two hours and it was beginning to get late and he just wanted to eat real food and sleep. " Hey Alice, When do you think we can leave?" Alice turned her face and Nick was meet with an annoyed look.
"Why are you trying to leave? Is there someone else?" Alice was giving him a hard time. Nick sighed. " Alice it's 8:53. I need sleep you know." Alice unhooked herself from him and walked away. She turned her head and looked back at Nick. "Let's go." Nick was getting a bit annoyed with her. okay a lot annoyed with her. She has a temper. Nick followed behind not wanting to say anything that would cause an argument.
Nick got in around 10 o'clock. He took off his coat and placed it on the rack. He made his way to the kitchen and saw figure scrabbling around in the refrigerator. Jess. She didn't hear anyone come in so he took this opportunity to scare her. He slowly kicked his shoes off and crept silently over to her. He got behind her as she still searched the fridge. His hands hovered over the sides of her waist. They came closer and closer till they landed on her hips. Jess jumped and screamed. "Nick! What the hell dude. So annoying." Jess said catching her breath while taking out a bag. Nick laughed and sat down at the island. Jess took a to-go box out of the bag and placed it in the microwave. " So how did it go." Nick asked hoping she wasn't still mad at him.
" It was fun. We ate at this place called…" snapping her fingers to backtrack her memory. "Oh , Norman Central Steakhouse. I had the juiciest steak burger ever. The carnival was so fun. Schmidt and Winston left and me and Jeremy had a blast. How about you Miller."
Nick shifted in his chair. " Let's see. We had the juiciest wine and cheese one could have. I'm starving but I feel so great.Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. Alice wanted to look at this one painting for hours as I suffered for freedom. It was a blast.' Nick finished with the fakest enthusiasm. Jess was laughing hard and you could see red flush her face. Nick joined in and laughed at how ridiculous he sounded. "I do not sound like that." Jess said slapping his arm. " When you are as hungry and tired as me that it what I hear. '
The microwave beeped and Jess collected herself before taking the food out. She placed it in front of Nick and he looked up at her. She went back and grabbed two forks. " Wanna share this pasta?" Nick couldn't deny her again; especially when being offered free food. " Sure." Nick replied. He took the fork and dug right in. Jess watched him before digging in herself.
After the box was clear Nick threw his fork in the box patting his stomach. " Jess thanks." Jess nodded then looked at him smiling. "What Jess?" She motioned her finger circling her mouth. Nick still was confused. She grabbed a napkin and wiped the mess of his mouth. She balled it up and threw it in the now empty take-out box. " I guess I better get ready for bed." Nick said standing up. Jess grabbed the box and threw it away. " Alright then. Goodnight Miller."
" Alright Goodnight Day."
The bar was empty and Nick was almost going to fall asleep on the job. Schmidt, Winston and Jess showed up because they already knew how dreadful Tuesday's at Clyde was so why not bring him some company. They all sat at the furthest booth in the corner by the jukebox. Soon Nick came over. "What can I get ya?" Nick asked.
"I'll have two Sex on The Beach because me a Winston are getting lucky tonight." Schmidt said pointing between him and Winston. Jess shifted her eyes across the room and Nick looked behind him trying to find where they would have any type of luck. " Okay… Two Sex on The Beach and what can I get the lady-... wait don't tell me. Let me guess; pink wine?" Nick finished with a questionable look. Jess shot him a small grin. She shook her head. "No?" Nick replied.
"I'm good for the night, but thanks."
"Okay." with that he turned back around and walked towards the bar. Jess watched him leave. She bit down on her lip before turning away. Schmidt and Winston were getting closer now and they were starting to fight like they were 11 year olds fighting over who gets to play with the Xbox first. "I told you I don't want to download Spotify. I stay faithful to Pandora till the end."
" Dude, Spotify is better. You get to play any song by any artist and they have every album. Pandora on the other hand will not do that."
" Winston I must decline the trade of music sharing."
" Schmidt I was listening to Rick James on Pandora and after It ending Katy Perry station was on. I know what I'm talking about."
" Anything you say my brown commodore." Schmidt said rolling his eyes. Jess and Winston looked at each other and then at Schmidt."JAR!" they said in unison. The group bust out laughing. Nick returned with two drinks in his hand as he placed them on the table. Both boys took their drink and raise them to Nick as a thank you. " If you guys need anything im at the bar". He winked and walked away.
After 3 minutes the boys finished their drinks and slide out of the booth. " Where you fellas going?" asked Jess. " Jukebox." Winston answered. Schmidt grabbed Winston by the collar and lead him away. Now Jess was all alone. This is very uncomfortable she thought. Her eyes searched the bar until she spotted Nick leaned over the counter with both elbows holding him up. He had a towel over his shoulders and sleeves pulled up. Jess took a deep breath before moving out of her spot in the booth. She walked over there slowly nervous and she didn't know why. Jessica Day, calm down he is your friend. Just go over there and talk because roommates can do that. Nick saw her walk up and shifted his body towards her.
" Awww somebody got lonely." Nick teased.
Jess slid on the stool and propped both her arms on the counter. " Nooooo… I changed my mind."
"About what?"
" I do want something to drink'." Nick already started to get the drink out.
" But not a pink wine." Jess shot a grin. Nick moved over so that he was now face to face with her. " Then what do you want?" His eyes got dark when he said that.
" I wanna try something new; a little experiment if you say. Give ummm, a Sex in The City martini." Nick's heart was beating more than it should. He pulled back and got to work. Jess was watching him as he shook the mixer and attempted to make a tune out of it. " Miller, give me my drink". He stopped shaking the mixer and poured her drink out into a martini glass. He placed the drink in front of her. " Enjoy." Jess grabbed the glass cup and took one sip out of the straw. She squeezed her eyes together. It wasn't even that strong of a drink and she had seem to make him believe it was, but then again this is Jess.
"Too strong for ya Day?"
" No… maybe. Here you try." He waved his hands to signal her 'no'. "Miller are you going to be a baby about this."
"No"
"Come on"
" No Jessica"
" Do it Nicky"
" Please do ever call me that Jess'
" Nicky"Jess sang.
"Jess I will tape your mouth for a week."
" Nickyyyy" This time she said it low with dark eyes staring at him. She walked her fingers to Nick's hand and grabbed it. And there was that irregular heart beat again. She pulled it until his fingers wrapped around the leg of the glass. Without another word Nick pull the glass up to his lips still watching her. She was watching him. Nick gulped down the whole thing making the straw fall out. " He squeezed his eyes tight taking in the rush. " WOAH! Okay that is strong, but I guess it's because that was the first time-"
"Naaaaah"
" Jess I'm telling you-"
"I don't wanna hear it. You can take whiskey but not a girly drink." Nick smiled at her remark. " Okay you caught me but don't tell the guys; they're going to think I'm no longer a grumpy ol' man. I can put my reputation at stake." Jess laughed. "Okay Miller but that will be the only favor I'll do you". He winked at her giving her finger guns.
" I wanna know the joke?" a curious voice said behind Jess. Jeremy. He came in a suit with his hair slicked back. Jess stood up from the stool and hugged him. He stood there after she left him out of her release. Nick nodded his head as a hello. " Jess, Schmidt texted me and told me you guys would be hear. You weren't answering your phone so I came up here to take you out. I wanna take you to the movies." She looked over at Nick who was already wiping the bar down while looking down. " Sure. Let's get going then." Jess stated. Jeremy grabbed Jess' hand and lead her towards the door. Jess looked back one more time still seeing Nick still looking down. Just a minute ago they were laughing and having a good time, now he didn't even wanna meet her gaze. She felt like she had left a child unattended when it needs some form of attention. One last longing stare before they exited the bar hand in hand.
Nick looked up to see her one more time but she had already left. He continued to wipe down the counter. He looked up and saw Winston and Schmidt dancing to 'Fly Me to The Moon' by Frank Sinatra. They were half way through the song and he hadn't notice. The music fill the room and even when he was with Jess it was unnoticed. " Ah guys, I'm about to close up so get movin'" Nick yelled throwing the towel over his shoulder. They both looked up coming out of their zone. " Thank man you've killed our vibe,flow,motion." Schmidt yelled back. Winston patted him on the back and rubbed his shoulder. " Come on Schmidty, It's getting late anyways." Schmidt shrugged him off and began walking. Nick rolled his eyes as he got out from behind the bar.
" Yeah, whatever Schmidt."Nick said annoyed.
" Don't get mad if we continue this at the loft."
"Hell Naw. I'm going to sleep. I have to get up early because I'm going police training."
" ugh, Booring."
Nick shut off the lights and shut and locked the door.
As you can see I advertised Spotify and please don't shame me. I'll have another one up soon.
