A/N: Thank you to everyone who has been reading my story so far. Sorry that this took a little bit to post but school is crazy. I hope you enjoy!
I don't own anything.
It had been two months since the wedding and Zoey and Jess had just had their first fight. It was over something stupid and was actually resolved relatively quickly. It was March and a week from her 24th birthday. Zoey read on the couch in her pajamas, shorts and a tank top, as she normally did on her mornings off.
Jess strolled out of the bedroom in his normal sweatpants and tee shirt. "Good morning beautiful." He greeted, leaning down for a kiss when he reached the couch. Zoey smiled and returned the kiss before lifting her legs so that Jess could sit next to her with her legs in his lap.
"Good morning my handsome boyfriend. You seem to be in a good mood this morning." She said, looking up from The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
"I am. I'm almost finished writing my novel. I call that a success."
"Well, go you." Zoey smiled, putting a bookmark in her book. "I can't wait to read this novel that you've been working on."
"It'll still be a little bit. I have to get it edited and published." Jess explained.
"Still, it's very exciting." She said, crossing her legs.
"I guess.. Hey, do you have today off?" Jess asked.
Zoey paused to think. "I do, but I'm opening tomorrow. Why do you ask?"
"Well, how do you feel about having a date night?" Jess proposed.
"I like the sound of that. What did you have in mind?"
"You'll just have to wait and see." Jess smirked.
"I can't wait." Zoey was almost giddy with anticipation. Jess leaned forward and kissed her.
[HOURS LATER]
Zoey emerged from her bedroom in spring appropriate shorts, clean cut top, a colorful scarf, and wet hair. "Does this go with what you had planned?" She asked for the third time today.
Jess looked up from his book and smirked. "You don't do well with surprises, do you?"
Zoey gave Jess an unimpressed look. "Not usually. I like to be prepared." She paused for a moment and turned so that Jess could get the full effect of her outfit. "Hot or cold?"
Jess put his book down. "To answer your question in more than one word... That outfit is the most appropriate of the ones you've shown me."
"Good. Because the next outfit would have been jeans and a tee shirt which might defeat the purpose of a date night.." With that, Zoey walked back into her bedroom and got ready the rest of the way.
In that time, Jess got ready and fixed his own hair into a sort of messy quiff. He had changed into a button up short sleeve shirt, a pair of black jeans, a leather jacket, and some converse shoes. Once he felt like he was ready he went into the livingroom where Zoey was waiting. Zoey had her hair curled and her make up done. She had on the last outfit that she showed him with a pair of converse shoes. "Don't you look fetching." Jess smiled.
"Fetching?" Zoey quirked an eyebrow as she stood up.
"Yes, fetching." Jess smirked as he walked toward her and gave her a kiss. "Come on, lets go. Got everything?"
"Yeah, in my purse." She responded as she took Jess' hand, interlacing her fingers with his.
Jess smirked and lead Zoey out of the apartment and locked the door behind them. They walked down the two flights of stairs and outside. It was a beautiful spring day, a little windy, but it was manageable. The pair walk past the park, which had people setting up for some sort of performance, and go into a low-key restaurant.
The restaurant had an easy and comforting feel to it with a hint of Italian. A smiling hostess showed them to a table. Jess pulled out a chair as Zoey sat down. Zoey then smiled as Jess pushed the chair in and made his way to the other side of the table. The pair ordered their drinks and looked at the menus.
A few minutes pass by before the waitress returned with their drinks. Jess and Zoey ordered what they wanted and handed the menus back to the waitress. Zoey leaned forward. "So, anything new with Truncheon?"
"We're having an open house in a couple of weeks." He pauses to take a sip of beer. "How about the diner? Anything new there?"
"Now that you mention it, um.." She took a sip of her mixed drink. "There was some talk among my fellow employees that there was going to be a talent agent coming down from New York... It could just be a rumor, but you never know.."
"It never hurts to be prepared." Jess seemed pretty calm.
"I know, and it would be a great opportunity for me." Zoey was starting to get a bit excited and then reality seeped back in. "If it happens."
Jess could see her face start to fall. "Hey, don't be like that. If it happens, I'm sure that you'll blow that talent agent away. There is no doubt in my mind that you would kill it."
"Thank you." She smiled and took another sip of her drink. "Enough about me though. Let's just relax and enjoy our date night."
Jess nodded with a slight grin and took a sip of his beer. He was excited for the possibility that Zoey had in store, but he didn't want to lose her. He wasn't sure if he was ready to leave Philly if it even came to that. If he needed to, he could write anywhere. He must have been silent for too long because Zoey was starting to look worried. "Are you okay?" He heard her ask.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking." He said simply.
The sun was starting to go down when they left the restaurant. Zoey snuggled up to Jess as they walked to the park where there was now a sign to signify 'Shakespeare in the Park.'
"Let's go. I've never been to a Shakespeare in the Park before." Zoey smiled.
Jess smirked and nodded. "Let me just get something for us to sit on."
"I'll be by the bench near the sign." Zoey smirked as Jess leaned in and kissed her before quickly returning to the apartment to grab a blanket.
It wasn't long before he was back by her side with a couple of blankets and what looked like a little cooler. Zoey lead Jess to the spot that she had been scoping out. Jess laid out the first blanket and placed the cooler near the front. Zoey sat down and stretched out her legs. Jess soon sat next to her and waited for the play to begin. He and Zoey talked and messed with their phones before the curtains opened.
The play seemed to go by very quickly. Before they knew it, it was time for intermission. Jess and Zoey were drinking and having a good time. Zoey was smiling and talking about her Shakespeare experience in high school. Jess chuckled a few times at her story.
Before the lights went down, Jess' hands cupped Zoey's face as he smiled. "I love you Zoey Anderson."
Zoey grinned back. "I love you too, Jess Mariano." She couldn't help the smile that overcame her entire face as they kissed tenderly.
The rest of the play almost seemed to fly by. By the end of it, Jess and Zoey were wrapped up in the second blanket since the temperature dropped. "That was really enjoyable. They did a good job." Zoey said, as she started to get up. She had a slight buzz and so did Jess, but seemed like he was a bit more intoxicated than she was.
"Yeah, good play." He said as he gather up the blankets and Zoey grabbed the empty cooler.
The pair leaned into each other for support as they made their way back to the apartment. They both stumbled up the stairs a couple of times. Slowly, they made their way their apartment. Jess took the key out of his back pocket and unlocked the door, opening it slightly.
It didn't take too long to put everything away. Zoey leaned on the back of the couch for a moment of support before she made her way to the front and sat down. Jess snacked on some chips to make himself feel better. A few minutes later, Jess walked into the living room. "You coming to bed?" He smiled as he took off his leather jacket.
Zoey crossed her legs and smiled. "Yeah, I'll be in in a minute." She said as she took off her scarf. She heard a soft okay before Jess disappeared into the bedroom. Zoey stretched out a little bit before rising from the couch. She smiled at the memories of earlier in the evening as she made her way to her bedroom and changed into some soffees and a crop top. She then made her way to the bedroom.
Jess had just put on his pajama bottoms when he heard the door start to open quietly. He looked behind him before turning fully. "I'm happy to see that you're in a good mood." He said with his crooked grin.
Zoey looked Jess up and down as she entered the room. His shirtless frame made her heart rate speed up slightly. "Well, what can I say? I had an amazing time tonight." She told him as she made her way over to him and got onto her tiptoes to put her arms around his neck.
Jess smiled, "So did I." He said as he pushed a few strands of hair out of Zoey's face. His arms then wrapped around her bare waist. "Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?" He whispered in her ear.
"I don't remember, but it's always nice to hear." She blushed. "You know, you looked pretty handsome yourself. With that leather jacket and your hair pushed back..."
"Oh yeah?" He smirked
"Yeah." She said with a mischievous smile.
They both leaned into each other, kissing passionately. Zoey's hands almost instantly went into his hair. Jess' grip tightened around Zoey, bringing them closer. At some point, Jess lifted Zoey up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Zoey's breathing hitched as Jess lightly bit and tugged on her bottom lip. Her hands trailed down to the nape of his neck. Her kisses were turning more tender and loving as they made their way to the bed.
[THE NEXT MORNING]
Zoey woke up with slightly sore muscles. A smile appeared on her face when memories of last night came back, quickly followed by blushing. She looked over at Jess who was sleeping peacefully. She cuddled up to him and promptly fell back asleep in the warmth of his arms.
Jess woke up a couple of hours later, comforter to his waist and his girlfriend sleeping in his arms looking content. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Goodmorning." He heard her mumble.
"Good morning to you too." He grinned.
Zoey moved up to be face to face with Jess. "Last night was.. amazing." She blushed.
"I couldn't agree more." He smirked before giving her a chaste kiss.
"I love you." She smiled.
"I love you too, Zo."
Zoey looked over at the clock and frowned. "I have to get ready for work.." Jess' hold on Zoey tightened as his phone rang. It was a text telling him to get to Truncheon.
"Time to go back to reality.." Jess said, kissing Zoey once again before they both got up and started to get ready for their day.
So, what did you guys think? Let me know. I hope that you're having a wonderful Pi day!