"Hello" he answered as quickly as he could upon seeing it was Jess. He grabbed the remote and turned the TV off and put his beer on the side table.

"Hi". She suddenly felt shy and vulnerable. Why hadn't she waited a bit longer.

"Hi back" he said pausing afterwards to cover up his huge grin.

"Um, thank you for the photo of the rose. Was that real?"

"of course it was real. I saw it tonight. It's called a Blue Beauty. Comes from Germany."

"Well, I have never seen anything like it before."

"yeah, me either. I am glad you liked it" He paused. He had to get this right. "Hey Jess."

"yeah"

"I am sorry about last night and those stupid texts. it was kind of a wild night in Austin."

"Looked that way."

He cringed from embarrassment.

"Yeah, I was visiting an old college buddy and she had a party for me. It got a little wild playing drinking games from the old days."

She tried to picture Nick with these buddies yelling "chug chug chug."

She cautiously said "was Missy your friend you stayed with?"

"Ugh yes, we were friends in college. Just friends though."

Jess relaxed a bit more upon hearinG that. "Oh, I thought you were telling me she was your new girlfriend."

"No, no, nothing like that." Thank goodness he hadn't had sex with Missy or this conversation may have been a lot different. "I think I was trying to say she was a friend and a girl, like you. I was just being stupid. I am sorry."

Jess didn't know what to say now. Nick usually didn't talk like this. He rarely apologized let alone tell her why he was being stupid. She was smiling and clutching her phone very tightly. She sighed heavily and Nick heard.

"What's up?"

"You seem different." She squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart was beating so fast right now.

"I do, how so?"

"I don't know exactly. Just more...open. Maybe it is just me though. I miss you around here. The loft just isn't the same."

"Yeah, I keep wanting to tell you things I see or do and instead I am alone. You feel so far away."

She sucked in her breath hearing that. He sounded sad. "You OK Nick?"

"I am now" he said.

He asked about Winston because he had been texting him for the last few days. Jess told him about how the station had some major shake up and were reorganizing the Company. Winston was down there 24/7 making sure he came out with an actual job. He had only come twice this week to shower and change his clothes.

"So when do you get to Chicago?"

"It looks like tomorrow afternoon. I am not that far now."

"You aren't gonna do something rash Nick like move back to Chicago or something are you? Because that is something I would have a lot to say about."

"Oh really, and what would you say to me, hypothetically" he blurted out playfully.

"Well, I would point out how much nicer LA is then Chicago because we have sunshine and an ocean. No more beach picnics."

He remembered their recent walk in the sand when he had carried a 50 lb. basket with bows on it so that Jess could have utensils with lunch. Although once he saw what she had brough to eat, he instantly was happy about the job.

"Obviously your best friends."

"Yeah, I am not going anywhere Jess. This was just me getting away for a bit, clearing my head."

"It just seemed like such a spontaneous decision. I just wanna make sure you are gonna come back because I just, well, ya know."

"Yeah, I know" He smiled knowing she really missed him. "I almost forgot to ask about your date?"

"Not much to tell you. He talked, I listened, he walked me to the door."

"Did he kiss you?" He asked heart pounding.

"Ewww Nick. No way."

"So you got another free meal from a poor shmuck that you are using to fill up your time while I am gone."

Hmmm, she thought, he had kind of nailed it. "Yes, pretty much" she laughed.

"Good, but that's all he can be is a place holder that buys you meals, k? Nothing more."

"Why Nick, are you a bit jealous?"

He chuckled "Yes, pretty much."

"Nick, get some sleep. You have a big weekend coming up."

He yawned "yeah, I know. If you see Winston, remind him to call me because I don't know if I am supposed to be picking him up at the airport and if so tomorrow or Saturday."

"Will do Nick. Good night."

"Night Jessica."

She held her phone to her chest while she looked up at the sky. She missed her Nick Miller. This guy she could chat with so easily.

She texted him one last thing before he fell asleep.

stars.

He instantly answered back

Stars.

Nick pulled up in front of his childhood home. He turned the car off and sat in it for a bit. Wow, that had been quite an adventure. He felt exhausted but also excited. He wasn't sure why he felt excited but it felt like his life might be looking up somehow. He pictured her blue eyes for the millionth time since LA. He remembered one of the first times they went out for coffee together. She was telling him a story about a boy in her class that would collect his boogers in one certain place on his desk. The way she had said boogers was adorable because she would whisper it like it was a bad word. He shook his head and reminded himself he was in Chicago now. No more daydreaming about Jessica Day for hours and hours a day.

He walked to the front door and pushed it in. His Mom's house was filled with familiar faces. They chimed in unison "Nicky". He made the rounds saying hellos and ended up in the kitchen with his Mom. She looked like she had been cooking all day. There were dirty bowls piling up in the sink and dishes with foil over them.

"Mom, what can I do to help?"

"You need to go down to Harvey's and get your tux fitted for tomorrow. Take your brother. He is driving everyone crazy."

"You got it Mom."

He grabbed his little brother mid sentence, by the elbow, and dragged him out to his car. Nick knew if his brother was nervous then he was telling stupid stories to everyone and acting like a 14 year old. They arrived at the tux shop and went in the back door. Harvey was their Uncle and he was sitting behind a desk in the back of the store.

"Nicky my boy" Harvey said as he reached over and kissed Nicky's cheek. "You are home."

"Hey Harvey. I am. I came to get my monkey suit for tomorrow."

"Of course you are, of course. Follow me Nicky."

His brother sat in a seat near the desk and started reading a comic book he found.

Harvey measured Nick and began setting out shoes and ties on a table.

"You get to pick out your tie and shoes."

Nick looked and there was a bow tie, skinny tie and regular tie, all black. There were shiny shoes, suede and leather ones. He didn't know what to pick.

He took out his phone and snapped a picture

can you help me pick a tie and shoes out for the wedding?

Are you gonna be wearing a tux Miller?

Yeah, I am in the wedding.

She sucked in her breath picturing Nick in a tux. She whistled out loud.

can you take a closer photo of the shoes?

Nick moved the shoes closer together and snapped another photo. Uncle Harvey walked in with his suit and stopped in his tracks when he saw Nick with his phone taking a picture.

"Nick, you OK?"

"Yeah, just getting some advice."

Harvey shook his head. Kid moves out west and comes back not knowing how to pick out shoes.

I would go with the fatter tie and leather shoes. I want a photo of you tomorrow.

You got it doll, thanks.

Jess was running around the loft doing laundry and cleaning her room. Winston had been home earlier and made a mess in the kitchen. She didn't have time so she left it for Schmidt to clean up.

you still up?

yes Nick, it's 10:00 here.

oh yeah, I forgot. Just got back from the rehearsal dinner. Lots of drunk Millers making toasts. Kind of epic.

did you make one?

no, I have to tomorrow though.

do you know what you are gonna say..

of course no Jess, have you met me?

well, speak from the heart and everyone will be impressed

easier said then done

yeah, sometimes it is