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One

1 year ago

Nikki carries her last box up the six flights of stairs and sets it just inside her apartment as she hears the door beside hers open. She pauses when she sees a tall, and obviously sleepy, man step out into the hallway in only sweatpants. "Um, hello."

The man with big blue eyes and light brown hair begins to talk quickly in french as Nikki groans.

"Um... désolée. Je ne parles pas Français." He glares at her annoyed as he crosses his arms over his bare chest. "Je m'appelle Nichole?"

He sighs, fluttering his eyes before dropping his arms to his sides as he watches her hold her hand out to him. "Lucas." He accepts her hand, taking in her flushed cheeks, wet with perspiration, a few loose blonde curls hanging in her dark, jade green, eyes. "Nice to meet you."

She grins up at him, suddenly uncomfortable at standing in front of this attractive stranger in only leggings and a sports bra. "Did I wake you up?"

"You did." He chuckles as she frowns, hanging her head down as he takes a step toward her. "It's okay. Need help?" He brushes past her to peek into her apartment at the boxes stacked in the living area.

"Nope. I got it all. It's nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm sorry for waking you up at..." she inspects her watch with a laugh, "ten in the morning."

He chuckles, stepping back into the doorway of his apartment. "I was doing night shoots. I don't normally sleep so late."

"Night shoots? Like a photographer?"

"No," he chuckles again. "I'm an actor. I was shooting all night."

"Oh! That's great!" She grins, stepping closer and lowering her voice as if she is afraid someone is listening in. "Are you like a famous actor here?"

"Something like that." He brings his hand up to twirl a curl between his fingers as she tenses slightly. "Trés jolie."

"Lucas?"

Nikki hears a girl calling for him from inside the apartment as she steps away from Lucas as he sighs. "I should go. I have a lot to unpack before I start work next week."

"Enchanté, Nichole." He gives her a small wink as heat shoots through her, watching him turn away, closing the door behind him.

"Nice to meet you too," she mutters to herself, turning to her own apartment.

***
Present Day

Lucas lets himself into the apartment beside his, hearing water running in the kitchen. He finds his friend and neighbor, Nikki, standing at the kitchen sink, doing dishes. He grins, sneaking up behind her and squeezing her sides, eliciting a loud squeal.

"Lucas!" She sprays him with water as he laughs, watching her bring her hand to her chest as she drops the sprayer in the sink and shuts off the water. "Jesus, Luke! We are in our 30s! Far too old for jump scares."

Lucas laughs, accepting a towel from Nikki as he leans back against the counter. "Come on, Nik. It was funny."

She rolls her eyes, chewing on the corner of his mouth. "What are you doing here so early? Don't you have a set to get to?"

"I do..." he sighs, his blue eyes piercing her green ones as she cocks a brow up at him.

"What is it?" She takes a step toward him, grabbing his hand as he smiles. "The girlfriend?"

"Oui." He shrugs, bringing a hand up to tuck some blonde hair behind her ear with a small smile.

"You're the one that said you don't date women you work with. I told you it was a bad idea, Luke."

"Tu es une amie terrible."

Nikki giggles as Lucas chuckles, pulling her into a hug. "English, please Luke."

"You know what I said. You don't need a translation. And I don't need to be teased." He rests his head on hers for a moment before she pulls away.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Lucas shakes his head as he watches Nikki pull on her coat with a sigh. "Non. You have work. But... maybe tonight you could come over? I can make you dinner and we can watch a cheesy French film?"

She pauses at the door as he leans past her to open it for her. "Actually, I have a date with Théo tonight."

"Oh." He tenses, trying not to look disappointed as she shrugs, nudging him out of the apartment ahead of her. "What about a double?"

Nikki groans as she hears Lucas follow her down the stairs. "Your girlfriend hates me, Luke. I really don't think that is a good idea."

"She doesn't hate you."

She laughs at the bottom of the stairs, turning back to him. "She called me a cunt and told me to stay away from you."

He grimaces, grabbing her arm before she can leave the apartment complex. "She's a little possessive and jealous."

Nikki rolls her eyes, pulling her arm away. "No, she's a little young and very immature, and you're far too good for her, Luke. No..." she sighs, "I am not doing this with you, and I'm not hanging out with her."

"Please, Nikki!" He pleads and grabs her hand just as she exits, forcing her to turn back to him again. "You're one of my closest friends and she is my girlfriend. Can't we try and get along?"

"No, Luke, we cannot. Désolée."

Lucas grimaces as he watches her walk away from him. Or more aptly, stomp away down the street.