Second Chances (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 7 - one step forward, three steps back

[a/n : once again, thank you for those who are reading this fic. hope you enjoy it! Also, EJ doesn't have a last name because I forgot he and Ashlyn are cousins, and I thought it would be weird that we haven't mentioned them as cousins this whole time. So they're not cousins in this fic lol]
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"I still can't believe he said yes so quickly!" Nini vocalized her surprise to EJ over lunch. She had pitched her YAC project idea to her boss, Doyle, and he had said yes without a second thought. She had asked Kourtney and EJ out for a celebratory lunch, but Kourtney was interviewing a bunch of new employees, so it was just EJ and her for today. 

"Well. It was a really great idea, and it's for a good cause too, Nini." 

"Thanks, EJ." Nini thought for a moment, "Can I ask you something? It's been bothering me for a while." 

"Shoot." 

"I know we call you EJ all the time, but what does EJ actually stand for?" 

EJ scrunched his face. He hated when people asked for his real name, because they would definitely make fun of it after he told them. 

"Here we go..." EJ sighed audibly, "The E in EJ stands for Elton. the J stands for John." 

Nini was trying so hard and failing to supress her laugh. 

"It's okay.. go ahead and laugh, everyone does when I tell them." EJ said sarcastically, "My parents are big fans of Elton John okay? My mom gave birth to the song 'I'm Still Standing', and my dad wanted me to be an astronaut when I was younger, so he could call me 'Rocket Man.' "

Nini burst out laughing after EJ's explanation, and had to drink a glass of water to clear her throat. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize I was in the presence of Sir Elton John." Nini teased, "Your parent's are the cutest by the way." 

"Speaking of cute..." EJ was desperate to change the topic, "Have you given any thought to the puppy thing?" 

"I have..." Nini bit into her sandwich. ".. and I think I'm ready for a puppy. But I'd like to see them for myself before making any decisions."

EJ had a cheshire grin on his face. "Okay then, this Saturday we'll go to the shelter." 

"Okay, deal. You get me a puppy, and I'll get you a date, Elton." 
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EJ and Nini walked out of the elevator to their floor, and bid their goodbyes. Seeing that she still had about 20 minutes to spare, Nini thought she could nap for a bit and just relax in her office, she was super stuffed from lunch and it made her sluggish. But the universe seemed to have other plans. 

"Nini, there's someone here to see you. He said he's a photographer. He's been waiting here for like an hour." 

The receptionist pointed towards the waiting area. Nini furrowed her brows. She didn't remember setting up any meetings with a photographer. She scanned the waiting area and until she found the pair of brown eyes already gazing into hers. Lo and behold, Ricky Bowen in all his glory. Her heart thumped against her chest in that familiar way it always did when Ricky was around, and she was finding it hard to breathe. 

He was wearing a white crewneck tee, jeans, and a leather jacket that Nini had gotten him for Christmas last year. His curly hair was unruly and he had a slight stubble on his face, she wondered how long it had been since he'd shaved. But it was always those eyes that drew her in. They were a very specific shade of brown, like the color of a teddy bear, or a chocolate milkshake. As she stared into his orbs, she was taken back to the last time she saw them. They were so full of hatred and anger towards her, and suddenly she was there again, in his living room, crying while he yelled at her.