Of Suitcases and Other Things

24

Nikko looked up. Ten minutes to midnight. Almost time to pack up. Finally! Her mind yelled out. It had been a long day and she couldn't wait to curl up in her bed.

But wait! Wasn't she forgetting something? Of course. There was that little matter of discussing with Jay about what happened earlier. She hadn't been able to bring it up again because Alex shadowed him the entire night observing the going-ons of the pub.

Nikko sighed, guess their conversation would have to wait until tomorrow. She started packing her bag and was lost in thought when she heard Jay's voice behind her.

"Ready to go?"

"You're leaving?" She asked confused.

"Yeah. I told Alex that your shift ends early and I was going to bring you home. He'll be fine. We're done with business anyway." Jay said reaching for her things.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh." Nikko glared at him. "And what else did you tell him?"

"Nothing. That's all I said." Jay tucked her belongings under one arm and walked a few steps before realizing that she wasn't following. He turned around and gave her a quizzical look.

"I don't believe you." Nikko said before her mouth returned to a taut line.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Jay's blank look annoyed Nikko further. "Oh yes you do. Didn't you forget I told you earlier that we needed to talk?"

"Ah now I remember." He smiled faintly, "You want to talk? we can go for coffee and talk."

"There's no need for coffee, we can talk now." Nikko folded her arms in front of her chest.

"I think you're forgetting who's got your stuff." Jay said trying to keep a straight face as he held up Nikko's bag.

Nikko pressed her lips together struggling to calm herself as she realized she wasn't about to win this one.

"I'll be at my car waiting." Jay chuckled as he walked away. "Don't take too long."

----

Five minutes later, Nikko dropped down onto Jay's passenger seat, her features still set in a frown.

Jay handed her bag to her and teased, "I'm sure a mocha java frost is going to turn that frown upside down."

Nikko grabbed her things, averting her eyes away from his bedimpled smile. She wasn't in the mood to be be charmed tonight, she thought, slamming the car door closed.

"Hey!" Jay shot her a warning look as he started the engine. "Don't take you're anger out on my car. It's been nothing but good to you."

"Wish I could say the same for the driver." Nikko muttered.

"I heard that." Jay said as he maneuvered the car into traffic. "This driver's been plenty nice to you."

"Really?" She said keeping her eyes forward. "You call this being nice?"

"You wanted to talk, so we'll talk.
In the process I'm treating you out for coffee." Jay pointed out. "It's a win-win situation for you."

"It's entrapment!" she said finally turning to him, "You withheld my stuff from me to get me to go with you."

"I did, at first, but I distinctly remember handing over your bag once you got in the car." Jay glanced at Nikko as her brows knitted together. "You could've left right then, but you obviously missed that."

Nikko paused as his statement sunk in. "That's because you distracted me!" she huffed at him.

"Distracted you?" Jay raised an eyebrow at her. "How exactly did I distract you?" His lips slowly curled into an amused smile.