Nick offered to drive but Jess insisted he didn't, but Nick thanked god for small mercies as he didn't have to sit in the front with her because Bob was there. He knew he'd sat next to her he'd just feel terrible about what had happened in the apartment but he wouldn't be able to take his eyes of her. Her sari was stunning, but not as much as she was. He was actually concerned for CeCe, it was her wedding day and she'd have to try really hard to beat what Jess was looking like. Sure, CeCe was pretty but she always seemed much too outrageous for Nick. She also seemed kinda judgemental and he wasn't sure why Jess liked her in the beginning. He did like her now though but not in a way he found her attractive. It felt like she was like a sister in law because of Schmidt. He'd always thought those kids would get together, but here he was in the back seat of a nice smelling car, on his way to CeCe and Shivrang's wedding. And Schmidt was going with Elizabeth. Nick was glad Elizabeth was back in Schmidt's life. He seemed a lot happier and he was glad. He was always worried Schmidt would never settle down and he'd be stuck with him forever.
Not that Nick was going to be alone forever. Before Jess had really spoken to him, he was sure he'd wanted to move in and take things to the next level with Caroline. That night when he'd panicked, Nick thought that was one of the first times he'd ever wanted to kiss Jess. He had hated himself that night for thinking it, but when she was talking to him, he really had wanted to. After that he'd simply put it down to nerves of moving in with Caroline, but that feeling was always there. He didn't like her as any more than a friend, but sometimes Nick would catch himself staring at her at random moments, or being very careful when he had any physical contact with her. He knew she didn't want to kiss him; she'd made that clear by dating Sam and going on a few dates with other guys, which he was fine with. Although sometimes he did want to hit that guy, especially when he'd hurt her the first time. Unfortunately after he'd kissed Jess that first time, Sam had gotten to hit him first.
That kiss was amazing. He'd never felt anything like it. Nick pulled a funny face, he sounded like a mushy romantic teenage girl. Yuck. He had a feeling the second one would have been better if Jess and him both hadn't been really hurt. He was glad of the circumstances as she told him she wanted him and that she liked him. It was in a platonic way, but it was still nice to hear.
"Nick?" Jess' real life voice snapped him out of his train of thought.
"Jessica?" He asked back. Jess. He'd meant Jess. Nick loved the name Jess, but to him Jess had always been the name of his turtle, not the name of his beautiful room-mate. Just roommate. Nick screamed internally. His thoughts were someplace else today. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, that sofa was uncomfortable.
"I was asking you if you were excited about the wedding." Jess offered.
"Oh. Sure, yeah I think it'll be great. How about you, maid of honour?"
"I'm so excited. CeCe is bound to have a beautiful day and I'm just so happy for her." Jess gushed.
"When do you want to get married, Jess?" Bob asked.
"What?" Jess seemed uncomfortable. "Um.. I don't know Dad. Not for a while."
"What! Why not?" Bob mumbled.
"I just don't want to dad. I'd have to find the right guy and get a house and a mortgage. I couldn't leave the guys to cope without me. They'd never last, would you Nick?"
"No. We couldn't live without you Jess." Nick said in a soft tone. He knew if was true of Schmidt and Winston, they'd kill each other in five minutes. Plus they'd have to find someone else to take the room in the loft, but Nick had mostly said it for himself. He definitely couldn't live without Jess, she took care of him and went out and ran errands with him. She made his boring, lonely afternoons exciting. Jess caught Nick's eye in the mirror and smiled slightly. Nick let out one low key, very quiet laugh to himself and continued looking at Jess. She looked down after a few seconds, to keep an eye on the road and not get them all killed. Nick didn't think if he was driving he would have done the same. Her eyes were like magic.
They pulled up outside of the hotel that CeCe was getting married at. They were having a traditional Indian wedding and Nick thought it sounded interesting.
"We're here!" Jess squealed. They all got out the car and Bob went to the trunk to get out his suitcase. "Dad CeCe says there's a room at the back of the hotel through a red door where you can put your suitcase so you don't have to wait for me to give you the keys or whatever."
"Okay, I'll meet you guys in there in a minute." Bob said then walked off in search of this door.
"You look so beautiful." Nick blurted out and Jess blushed.
"Thanks Nick. I like your suit."
And with that, Nick leaned down and kissed her passionately, not caring who saw them.