2 weeks later...

"Nick, that was unbelievable. I mean out of this world fan-freakin'-tastic!" Jess sang as he nudged his nose into her neck.

She still couldn't believe it, the past 2 weeks had been absolute bliss. Sure they saw their friends and went to work, but Nick had a lot more free time in the evenings now that he owned the bar. Jess also really appreciated the fact that he was always ready and raring to go; constantly grabbing at her or caressing her with his big strong hands. And when they were in the company of others, he would undress her with his eyes, only to corner her later and ravish her in private.

Heck, they had 3 years of lost time to make up for. And they really could care less about Schmidt's incessant teasing regarding how they were acting like 2 hormonal teenagers who were endlessly pawing at one another.

Just Jess and Nick; in the shower, on the couch, after hours at the bar, in Jess' office. They even had sex in the car one night on their way home from Aly's place. Nick had hastily pulled off the express way and parked in a dark alley just to have his way with her. It wasn't exactly safe, but in that moment of passion, lust had taken over the logical parts of their brains.

"Whatcha thinkin' about honey?" Nick rasped as he playfully nipped away at her neck.

"About you." she giggled as he continued to tickle her with his ruff scruff. "Stop it Nick! You're going to give me razor burn."

"Well, I do have to shave. It's been a few days now." Nick laughed rubbing his chin.

Jess cupped his cheek and moved her thumb across his stubble, "Please don't shave it off Nick, I love your beard when it comes in full. It's always so soft and warm."

Nick moved in and lovingly pecked her lips, "Well my dear, I promise to let it grow back in next week, but today I need to shave."

"Why?" she pouted.

"I actually have a meeting with a publisher this afternoon and I've got to look spiffy. I just hope Schmidt will lend me one of his suits."

Jess pushed herself up to sit and leaned against the back wall behind his bed, "Seriously? That is wonderful news, I am so proud of you!"

"Thanks Honey. It's been a long time coming and Rea... I mean, oh err... sorry Jess. I forgot to mention that Reagan actually got me the appointment." The guilt washed over him as he nervously looked up to regard her reaction.

"Nick, come on, don't be like that. Who cares who got you the appointment, the important thing is that you're meeting with a publisher." Jess beamed excitedly, "I'm really happy for you!"

"Ok well, as long as you're fine with it. I'm gonna go and get ready now." He rejoiced as he lightly slapped his hand down on to her covered leg and stood up.

He then leaned over her, gently lifting her chin to peer into her eyes, "Thanks again Dollface, there wouldn't even be a Pepperwood if it wasn't for you." he drawled in his thick Chicago accent as he bent down and kissed her forehead before turning from the bed to gather his things.

Softly humming to herself, a smile spread widely across Jess' face. Things felt so perfect now, it was like she was this Disney princess who had been swept up off her feet and was floating on thin air. She had spent so many lonely nights over the past summer dreading what their relationship would be like when he returned, that it was almost inconceivable to believe that everything happening between them now was in fact reality.

She snuggled back down into his sheets, admiring his naked form and cute butt as he bent down to pluck his boxers up off the floor before disappearing out into the hallway.

Shortly after Nick had left the room, Jess felt a light buzzing from under her butt. "What the?" she exclaimed lifting the sheets to look for the annoying source. All of a sudden Nick's cell went flying through the air and tumbled loudly to the floor.

Jess scrambled out of bed and reached for his phone as it began vibrating a second time. Reagan's name flashed across the screen; 1 missed call and 1 text message.

"Humph." Jess pondered looking at Reagan's name and number as it rolled across the outer screen of his flip phone. Don't be silly Jess, she probably just wanted to remind him about his meeting today.

She was just about to place the phone down again, when it buzzed once more. Jess really didn't want to pry, but now she was curious to see what Reagan actually wanted.

She knew Reagan had been pissed the night of the threesome, but that was over 2 weeks ago, so why would she even care if Nick missed his appointment with the publisher.

"Hell with her." Jess breathed, flipping the phone open. She scrolled to his messages and opened the text.

"Hey Nicky, I think we need to talk, I hate seeing us like this. I thought we were having fun, but things just got messy with Jess. I want you to know that I still want to make this work."

"Oh man. This poor girl just doesn't get it." Jess huffed.

Jess clicked on the next message, "It was really good seeing you the other day. And I know that you had said that you needed time to think things through, but I can't stand not being with you."

Confusion crossed over Jess' features, "What the fuck is she talking about, Miller?"

The phone buzzed again, Jess could feel her blood boiling as the new message instantly appeared on the screen. "P.s. Im sorry I overreacted the other day. Let me make it up to you. Come by my apartment later. And Nick, I love you."

Tears began to roll down Jess' face as she angerly snapped his phone shut, tossing it to the end of the bed. When the hell did he see her?

"Hey sweetheart, have you seen my phone?" Nick asked, reappearing in his doorway as he twisted a q-tip in his ear with his red towel wrapped around his waist; his face was bare and his hair was still wet.

Jess quickly turned her head to the floor and stood up from his bed, holding his sheet over her exposed body. She began moving swiftly about his room, collecting her under garments and clothing which lay strewn across the floor.

"It's over there!" Jess stated angrily pointing to the corner of his bed.

Nick carefully eyed her as he moved towards his bed to retrieve the phone. "What's wrong, Jess?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong! Are you fucking serious right now!" Jess hollered as she pushed past him.

Nick reached out to grasp her arm only to feel her yank it away. "Tell me Nick, when did you see Reagan last?"

Silence took over the room, Nick could hear the thunder in his chest as his heart began to race and the blood rushed from his face.

"Nick, are you even listening to me? Why the hell did Reagan say you saw her the other day? And when were you going to tell me?"

"When, Ummm... how... ahhhh..." The panic had already set in and his stuttering gave it away.

"Jesus Nick, what the fuck is wrong with you? I thought we had something? I thought this was it, you and me."

"It is."

"Then tell me, why is Reagan texting you and saying that you still need to think things through?" Jess stared intently into his charcoal eyes, searching for an answer.

"I... I don't know why I told her that Jess. I was confused."

"Confused? I don't really see what's so confusing about this, unless you love her too!"

Nick stood quietly staring back at her, now he was even more confused.

"Hmpf... well I guess I should have known better when I told you that I still I loved you and you couldn't even say it back to me."

"No, Jess, I..."

"Save it Nick." Jess snapped as she turned to leave.

Nick squeezed the phone in his hand as it began to vibrate again, which had not gone unnoticed by Jess.

She nodded to his hand, "Oh by the way Reagan's in love with you. I'm sure you two will be very happy together once you manage to think things through!" she spat as she exited his room and ushered herself across the hallway into her own room, slamming the door behind her.