When I Met You

Chapter 20 - Nick's POV

I was not sure how I got myself into this situation. I know she didn't do it on purpose, but I was constantly booted back into the friend zone. Not that I would do anything to jeopardize her relationship with Blake. If that was even a thing, because they never talked and she blocked him. I know her heart still belonged to him, but she was hurting deeply. Either it was the worst rough patch in history or they were done for. For Chelsea's sake, I hoped the latter. Was I biased? Probably.

Over the past month there have been awkward moments between me and Chelsea that made me question whether she felt the same. I mean obviously I thought she was gorgeous and smart, but it was complicated.

The first incident was quite embarrassing to be honest. Probably more so for her, but I felt like I was to blame. Four weeks ago:

I was relaxing on the sofa reading a novel when Chelsea called out my name. "Nick." I thought I was imagining it as I slowly set my book down and removed my glasses. "Nick, can you come here, please." I walked down the hallway towards the only bathroom in the house. The water was running.

"Chelsea?" I knocked.

"Yes, come in!" I assume she shouted thinking I couldn't hear over the water pattering.

"Uh-are you-uh decent?" I would think so, but I figured it was polite to ask, regardless.

"Well." She paused. "Not necessarily, but I need your help."

For fuck's sake, what would she need help with in the bathroom? Naked, nonetheless? I'd be lying if I said the prospect wasn't enticing, but I couldn't. "Umm, well I can't come in until you're properly clothed, Chels."

"Please, Nick." She begged.

"Okay, can you like-uh wrap a towel around your body?" Fuck. It's hard to be a gentleman. The thought of Chelsea naked made blood rush throughout my body as my heart throbbed quicker than normal.

"Well, funny story..."

I groaned. Fuck. Fuck Fuck. I couldn't see her naked. I wouldn't be able to control myself. "Chelsea, please tell me you have a towel in there?"

Silence revealed the truth.

"Could you maybe turn around or stay in the shower behind the curtain?" I asked.

"Nick, I'm not sure what the big deal is. I'm sure you've seen plenty of naked women in your lifetime." She stifled a laugh. It wasn't funny.

"Haha. Aren't you quite the comedian today?" Sarcasm, of course. "I'm sure you're dying to show off that beautiful body of yours, but not today."

"You wish." She scoffed.

Hmmm. If only she knew. "Seriously, Chelsea. What's wrong?"

"You mean, besides forgetting my towel?"

"Yes, Chelsea."

"Well, I was trying to readjust the shower curtain and the rod it sort of fell. I just can't do it by myself." She sighed. "Can you please help me?"

Of course, it did. I had been intending to get a new, more sturdy one. It kind of just slipped my mind. "Ok, I'm coming in, then." I gently creaked the door open and I let out a sigh of relief when I realized she was still in the shower, strategically covering her body with as much of the curtain as possible.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." She said to avoid an awkward silence.

"You're all good. I've been meaning to fix it for a while now. Just never got around to it, I suppose." Walking over to the tub, I could help but feel guilty for putting her into this situation. However, another part of me was probably thrilled at the idea of a naked Chelsea. I grabbed one side of the rod as she continued holding the more curtain bunched side, hiding behind it. She had turned the water off as a courtesy, because I would have been absolutely drenched. I had a good quarter of my body in the shower as I fiddled with the rod. I tried my best to keep my back facing her. However, I needed to extend the rod slightly, but it fell from my grip into the tub. As I reached for it, I realized I was merely a foot away from Chelsea's bare body. I had to turn my head slightly to see but as I lifted my arm to bring back up the rod, so did my eyes. Lingering for no more than a second, before swiftly shifting my gaze back to fixing the actual issue at hand.