Variance- How far actual results differ from expectation.

Friday afternoon, Vegas

Nick made his way back down the hall from Schmidt's room. Slipping his key card in the door, he stepped into his empty hotel suite. Taking a deep breath, he finally pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at the four missed calls from the familiar number. He rubbed his face and sat down on the couch. He was going to have to deal with this eventually, and if he didn't do it soon, he may lose his shot.

He pushed the "call" button on the screen and closed his eyes as he brought the phone to his ear. The person on the other end picked up after the first ring.

"Hi Clyde, it's Nick."

"Hey, I've been trying to reach you all morning."

Nick winced at Clyde annoyed tone. "I know, I'm really sorry. This entire trip was so last minute and..."

"I talked to the bank this morning, and I really hate to do this to you, but I'm going to need an answer by the end of the weekend."

"Right. Look, I'm waiting to hear back about my loan application first thing Monday morning. Do you think you might be able to give me just a couple more days?"

"I don't know, Miller. Things aren't looking good for my wife. I really need to make a decision."

"I just...I'm here with Jess, and we still haven't worked it out and..." He forced out a defeated breath, letting his next thought slip out. "I was planning on proposing..."

"WHOA, that's surprising news! I always loved that girl." There was a pause on the other end of the line as Nick held his breath. "Okay, listen, I'll give ya 'til Monday. I feel for you, and I know you've got a lot goin' on. But after that, I've gotta get this place on the market."

Nick sighed in relief, reaching up to tug at his eyes with his fingers. "Thank you. I...I really appreciate you doing all this, you have no idea."

"No problem, just let me know as soon as you can. And Good luck with Jess."

Nick let a smile escape his lips. "Thanks, Clyde."

As he hung up the phone, he closed his eyes and began rubbing his temples. This was all going to come down to the bank approving his loan on time. He hated how much of a mess he had made of his life, and that it could jeopardize everything he wanted with Jess. He took a deep breath before calling the next number, not sure if he could deal with any more bad news.

He started pacing throughout the room as he dialed. "Hello, this is Nick Miller. I'm calling about my lo..."

"AH, Mr. Miller, I actually have your file in front of me right now."

"Um, that's great. I'm...I'm just wondering how soon it will be until I can get an answer?"

"Well, I'm looking at the notes right now and the price certainly seems right. You're getting a killer deal on the property from this owner, so the assessment came out strong. But I have to say, if you had a co-applicant, especially one with a decent credit score, we could get you processed and out the door today."

Nick cringed. "I know, I just..."

"This is a big undertaking for just a single person. Have you thought about taking in a partner? Unfortunately, at this point that may be your only option. We really need to see more assets, even with the deal the owner is giving you."

"A partner just isn't possible. Is there any other way? A higher rate, maybe?"

"I can crunch some more numbers for you, see what we're willing to do. What about a spouse? Did you want your wife on the loan?"

He sucked in a short breath, caught off guard by the mention of the word 'wife'. "I'm actually not married..."

"Oh,...Okay, right, I see that now. Well, how about this? I'm willing to take another look at this and see what I can do, especially with the high property value we're showing. I'll be back in the office tomorrow, so I'll give you a final answer by the end of the day."

Letting out a relieved sigh, Nick paused his pacing in front of the bed. "Okay. Well. I really appreciate all the help."

"No problem. You have a good weekend, sir."

"You too."

Nick collapsed onto the mattress and tossed the phone on the bed next to him. Throwing himself backwards, he pulled his arms over his face in defeat. This had to work out, it just had to. His whole future with Jess depended on it. He took a deep breath and punched the bed, before standing up and making his way across the room to his suitcase. Kneeling down, he felt around the bottom corner and produced the black velvet jewelry box. He sat on the floor, and slowly opened the lid. Taking the ring out, he twirled it between his fingers and smiled. Pushing it onto his pinky, he closed his eyes and tried to think of the perfect proposal. After several frustrating minutes, he frowned and slid the ring back between the red velvet folds, closing the lid. Clasping the box in his fist, he leaned his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his hands.

Could he even do this without knowing what was going to happen with the bar? How could he ask Jess to spend the rest of her life with him, if he wasn't sure what that future would hold? What would she say if she knew that he was risking everything to own a bar? Did he really think he knew what he was doing?

What if he failed? Would she ever be able to forgive him?

Sudden he felt that if this weekend worked out at all, it would be a miracle.

Several minutes passed as Nick fought with himself over how many things could go wrong if he couldn't make the deal for the bar work. He was startled out of his thoughts by a knock at the door. He quickly shoved the ring back in his suitcase and made his way toward the door. Upon opening it, he found Winston on the other side.

Running his hand across his face, Nick stood back and motioned Winston into the room. "Hey, man."

Winston frowned. "You okay? You look terrible. Something happen with Jess?"

"No. I just..." He turned around and walked toward the couches in the seating area, Winston following at his heels.

"Damn, this is a SWEET room. How'd you swing this?"

"Schmidt got some deal." Nick sat down as Winston nodded, impressed as he looked around the room. Turning around, he sat down across from Nick with his back to the windows. "You just get here?"

Winston leaned back. "Yeah, Natalie had to stop at the clinic this morning. We saw Jess and Cece on the way in and she went to lunch with them."

"Natalie seems great. Really great..." Nick smiled weakly as his voice trailed off.

"What's up, Nick?" Winston narrowed his eyes.

Nick sighed, shaking his head. "It's the bar. I just talked to Clyde and...I have until Monday to secure a loan."

"Damn." Winston continued cautiously. "And the bank?"

"It's not good. I don't think I can do this Winston."

"Have you told Jess?"

Nick raised his voice, annoyed. "No I haven't TOLD JESS. Are you insane?"

"Look, couldn't she help you out with all of this?" Winston leaned forward.

"I don't want her help, Winston. I need to do this for her, don't you understand that?"

Winston just shook his head, disbelief written across his face. "No. No, I don't understand. That woman has stuck by you through everything the past year. Hell, the past three years, since the moment she moved in. What are you afraid of, man?"

"I'm not afraid..." Nick barked.

"Oh, you're not?" Raising his eyebrows, Winston slammed his fist on his knee. "Then why are you being so damn stubborn, Nick. If you want her by your side, let her be by your side. Stop being an idiot."

Nick stood up, his voice almost shouting. "What am I supposed to do, huh? Ask her for a loan? Have her co-sign her life away? What?"

"I don't know. All of those? None of those, it doesn't matter." Winston jumped up and grabbed Nick by the shoulder. Giving him a gentle shake, he lowered his voice slightly. "What matters is that you tell her. Let her decide how far she wants to go in this with you. Use your head."

Nick stared at his friend for a moment, before shaking his head and looking at the floor. "I'm sorry, I just can't." He stepped back from Winston's grasp. "I can't let her think that I'm using her for this."

"You're not using her. She's your partner..." Winston pursed his lips, staring at his friend intently. "Unless she's not..."

Nick's eyes darted back to Winston's glare. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Winston shook his head, disappointed. "I just...she can't help you if she doesn't know you need it."

There was an awkward silence, before Winston crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head once again. "Look, I'm not telling you what to do Nick, but...if you don't tell her, she's gonna be hurt. You have a good thing with Jess, don't let your damn pride screw it up."

All Nick could do was collapse back down onto the couch with his head in his hands. "I know, man...I know."