Chapter 5- Freedom and a friend

I'm pretty impressed by how clean and tidy Nick's apartment is. I follow him into the kitchen and he pulls out a chair for me so I can sit down at the table. Immediately he starts rushing around the kitchen, making coffee and searching through the cupboards.

"How does beans and egg on toast sound?"

"It sounds great."

I smile at him. Anything would sound great. I'm starving. Also, I'm flattered by the attention he's giving me. It's been a long time since anybody made me breakfast.

I had this boyfriend in my junior year of high school. Every morning I would go round to his house before school and he would make me breakfast. I thought he was the most romantic, caring guy in the whole school. Then he disappeared during the homecoming dance and I caught him outside, making out with my best friend. My breakfast-making hero turned out to be a cheating fiend.

I watch Nick spreading butter on the toast. I find myself hoping that he won't do the same thing to me, even though he isn't my boyfriend. Of course I don't actually have a best friend now for him to cheat on me with. I guess Nick's one of the best friends I've got and he can't exactly cheat on me with himself.

Nick places the plate of hot food in front of me and I start to eat. Real food tastes so good. I'm a terrible cook. I can't even make something simple like this.

After breakfast I help him clear up. It's the least I can do. I'm starting to feel tired again. Nick notices this.

"You can sleep here if you like. You can just stop by your apartment on the way into work to pick up some clean clothes and that. You look so tired," he justifies his offer.

I consider this. It's tempting. It can't hurt right? And I really am too tired to go home right now.

"Sure. Thanks. Umm.... could I take a shower?"

"Yeah. No problem. I'll just fetch you a clean towel."

I stand in the shower, with my eyes closed, savouring the peace. The sound of the running water is calming. I'm thinking about Nick. I think about Nick a lot these days. I wish he were here with me, right now. God. What am I thinking? It's insane.

Reluctantly I shut off the hot water and step out in to the steam filled bathroom. Having dried myself off, I realise I've got nothing to change into, to sleep in. I wrap the towel around me and decide to ask Nock if I can borrow an old t-shirt or something.

I feel self-conscious, creeping around his apartment wearing nothing but a towel. I can see a flickering light under a door at the far end of the hall. I guess it's his bedroom. He's probably watching TV. I knock gingerly on the door.

"Sara?" he calls out.

Slowly I open the door. He's lying stretched out on his bed, wearing just a pair of jeans. I can't stop myself staring at his hard, muscled chest. My mind goes blank. I can't remember what I came in her for.

He looks a little shocked himself, reminding me that I'm wearing just a towel. I look a little sheepish.

"Could I borrow a t-shirt to sleep in?"

Nick gives himself a little shake.

"What? Oh yeah. Sure."

He jumps off his bed and begins searching through a draw. Finally he straightens up and hands me a soft, black t-shirt.

As our hands touch, I swear I feel a tiny shock. Like electricity. A connection. Nick notices it too. He takes hold of my hand. His other hand reaches up and gently strokes my face. I look up into his eyes. He leans in, kissing me. Tenderly at first, as though testing the water, waiting to see if I slap him for pushing his luck. He needn't bother. I don't try to fight this. It feels so... right. I kiss him back, more intensely.

He's moving back, guiding me towards his bed. I let him. I barely notice as my towel comes loose and falls to the floor. Willingly I fall into his arms. No longer afraid. At least not right now.