Bravo 🤍

Twenty-Eight

Nikki scoffs, placing both her arms over her head. "His arms are crossed, and he's irritated. It means nothing. They like to make these things seem like more than they are. Either way, I'm sure Alba was lapping it up."

"How do you know?"

"Because I've known Lucas for almost two years now. I know when he's annoyed. I'm not worried."

"If it means nothing and you're not worried, then why are you going back to sleep?" Michelle crosses her arms over her chest as her sister groans under the blanket.

"Because I'm not awake enough to deal with it..."

Her phone vibrates off the table as Michelle laughs. "Well, I think Lucas wants you to deal with it now."

"Ugh... fine!" She sits up as Michelle slips back into her room. She clicks accept on the FaceTime request. "Lucas, good morning."

"Doll!"

She puts her hand up before he can say anything else. "It's fine. I saw the pictures of you guys. I know it doesn't mean anything. I trust you, Lucas."

He sighs, relieved, bringing a hand up to his head. "Dieu merci." He smiles as she chuckles. "I'm sorry. I didn't know there were photos of us. She came up to me while I was talking to someone else."

"I know. I could tell you were annoyed. I'm okay. I'm more annoyed that she has gotten to see you before me."

"Oh, mon ange. I'll see you soon, I promise." He sighs, smirking at her. "You're so cute when you first wake up. It's nice to have a girlfriend that isn't jealous."

"I didn't say I'm not jealous, I'm just not jealous of her."

Lucas laughs, throwing his head back. "Well, you don't have to be jealous of anyone. Ever."

"I know. I guess I should get up and get dressed. I love you. Call me before bed?"

"Can't go to sleep until I talk to you." He winks at her as she giggles. "I love you too."

"So, we believe him?"

Nikki turns to Michelle hovering in the doorway of her room with a smile. Nikki sighs, rolling her eyes. "Of course we do."

"Okay. What do you want to do today?"

"Shower and then coffee. After that, whatever you want."

"Deal!" Michelle laughs as grumpily pushes past her toward the bathroom.

***

"Venti blonde, 4 shots of espresso with 4 pumps each of vanilla and caramel syrup." ( @Goldilocks0988 ❤️U)

"Ugh... gross." Nikki nudges Michelle out of the way gently as she smiles at the barista. "Triple espresso and a splash of coconut milk."

Michelle only shrugs, crossing her arms over her chest annoyed. "Whatever. It's my one luxury. Leave me be."

Nikki giggles, raising her hands up in surrender. "Sorry. So, what are we doing today?"

Michelle grins, grabbing both their cups and handing Nikki's to her. "Nails?"

"Yes! I haven't gotten my nails done in forever."

"I know a great place around the corner, and I made appointments for us while you were in the shower." Michelle hooks her arm through Nikki's, leading her out of the coffee shop.

"This is so great," Nikki beams as she takes a seat in the cushioned chair beside Michelle after choosing their nail colors. "So... still no men able to charm my sweet Michelle?" She teases as Michelle rolls her eyes.

"Not really, no. Not all of us have numerous French men fawning over us."

"Meh..." Nikki shrugs, "probably just because I'm different. Men like different. I'm American and foreign to them."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. You always are so self-deprecating. Why can't you just be hot and interesting, and men like you?" She sighs as Nikki blushes, taking a drink of her coffee. "It's because you completely missed out on dating and exploring yourself when you were younger because you had to look after me. You've only really been seriously dating in the last few years."

"Hey, I wouldn't change anything. I was happy to have you."

"I know." Michelle leans over to grab her hand as tears well up in both their eyes. "You just had to grow up way too fast. You never had a chance to really look at yourself and learn who you are. Even during college, you had to come home to me every night. Just make sure when you decide what you want, that it is what you want and not what you think is expected of you."

"You mean Lucas? And France?"

"Yes."

"France is all I ever wanted, Elle. I always wanted to live there. I have no second thoughts about it at all."

"And Lucas?" She asks as a smile breaks across her sister's face.

"He is all I never knew I could have. Honestly, I went to France with a glimmer of hope that I could possibly meet someone, but I didn't put too much thought into it. But when I first met Lucas, it all clicked right away. I just wish we both hadn't waited so long. We were both stubborn and we both made mistakes. But we're together now, and that's all I want.'

"Good, I look forward to the giant, romantic wedding in France next spring."

Nikki giggles, hitting her sister on the arm. "He has already hinted at looking at engagement rings."

"Oooh!!" Michelle exclaims as they both laugh.

"He totally Sweet Home Alabama'd it, Michelle. He took me to Tiffany's and told me to pick out a present to replace the necklace he got me for Christmas. It was super swoony."

"That's so cute! Except that she didn't end up with him at the end of the movie."

"Shut up!" Nikki laughs, hitting her sister as they both break out laughing.

***

Michelle hears a soft knock on the apartment door the following morning as she's getting ready for work. She glances at Nikki to find her still asleep, snoring softly on the couch. She rolls her eyes, opening the door to find Lucas in front of her. "Hey!" She moves to the side to usher him in quietly with a grin. "What are you doing here?" She whispers as she pulls him into a hug.

"I couldn't stay away any longer."

"Ugh, you guys are disgusting..." She teases as she grabs her stuff. "Don't have sex on my bed. See you later." He laughs as she leans up to kiss his cheek before leaving the apartment.

Lucas sits on the edge of the coffee table, bringing his hand up to Nikki's cheek gently as she whimpers in her sleep. "Doll..." He smiles as she whimpers again and he moves his hand to her arm, shaking her slightly.

Nikki groans, swatting the hand from her arm and pulling the blanket up over her head. "Fuck off, Elle!" She hears a laugh as she throws the blanket off her, locking eyes with familiar blue ones. "Luke!"