Smiling, I stare at the message Nick had sent me while I was in line at Starbucks. There still were a few people ahead of me so I had enough time to answer him back. Truthfully, I didn't have anything planned out today. I was likely going to spend this Friday like the last one; in bed watching Netflix, but the hell I would tell Nick that. With a reply in mind, I started to type.
Well, lets see...my schedule for tonight is pretty full.
His reply came instantly.
Liar.
I let out a small laugh and look looked ahead in surprise, seeing only one person ahead of me in line. I decided to put my phone away and order two black coffees once the person ahead of me was done. Grabbing the two coffees, I walk across the street to ROZ&CO. It's been a month now since the incident and to say I've been doing great is an understatement. There has been ups and downs since then but I've been doing fine now.
I greet the security guards by the door and the receptionist before taking the elevator to the 24th floor.
~~~
"...move the money should be put in the safe of the basement in my office. Here are the keys to it. Make sure to-" Jullian halted his conversation with Nick once he saw me.
"You know, you two could continue the conversation," I state as I hand Jullian his cup of coffee after throwing out my empty cup. "Just pretend that I'm not here." I tell them jokingly.
"Nah, it wasn't really that important." Jullian said taking a sip from his cup. "By the way, can you show Nick the safe to the office? After that, I have some paperwork for you to complete and files to put away for me."
"Sure." I responded walking out of the office with Nick trailing behind me. We stepped into the elevator and I pressed the button that leads to the main lobby. "It was a surprise seeing you here."
He looks at me amused. "It was a surprise seeing you here too." His green eyes were gleaming with mischief as he defended himself.
I let out a small laugh. "Nick, you do know I work here." I say in a playful voice hearing him laugh. Over the past month, Nick and I had gotten close. He would come over to my house or we would take a small walk outside. I'd be lying if I said I didn't grow to like him. I'd also be lying if I said that I didn't get nervous around him or that I didn't feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach when our fingers brushed. Though I'd be really lying if I said that I didn't wonder if he felt the same way.
I had also learned a lot about him over the past month. From how his parents had died when he was eight in a car crash to how he had been close to his uncle. I sometimes think in awe of how he lived his childhood in such hardships.
"By the way," Nick said breaking me out of my thought, "you didn't answer my text."
I give him an apologetic look as we stepped off the elevator and start to lead him to the safe room. "I'm so sorry!" I apologized. "I kind of got distracted ordering Jullian's coffee and forgot about it."
He nodded and plucked out a yellow tulip from one of the vases as we passed by it. I laughed while shaking my head. "What are you doing now?" I asked.
He made a turn halfway around so that he was walking with his front towards me, holding the tulip out in front of my face, smiling. "Changed your mind?"
I let out a laugh and purse my lips while stroking my chin as if in deep thought. "Let's see, maybe I can fit you in Mr.Matthews for tonight." I state, taking the tulip out of his hand.
Before he can open his mouth, I grab his grey suit lapels and pull him back from bumping into a passer-by. The passer-by glances at us then looks back at his phone uninterested. I let out a small sigh and look up at Nick. I notice the small distance between us, and awkwardly clear my throat pushing him away. "I think we should hurry up. I need to do work anyways after this." I suggested.
Nick nodded, showing his agreement. We walked the rest of the way in awkward silence, knowing what was about to happen a few moments ago. Once we arrived at the safe room, I figured out the door was locked and I forgot the keys.
"Damn it." I mumble, kicking the door. I look up to Nick who gives me an amused expression to which I return with a glare. Nick laughs it off and takes out a key. I let out a small 'oh' once I hear the click of a lock opening. We enter the safe room and the door shuts after us. "So," I break the silence, "welcome to the safe room." I spread my arms out, gesturing to the space around us.
Nick walked towards the huge silver safe and looked at the keypad with glowing numbers on it. It looked as if he was mentally noting something about it. Feeling awkward just standing in the corner of the room, I started to speak. "I'll just leave you to it." I state backing away to the exit. "Just make sure to lock the door after you."
I hear Nick let out a small hum of agreement, as I try to turn the door handle. Keep in mind the key word is trying. "Shit." I mumble. I jiggle the doorknob again but it wouldn't budge. I was so focused on opening the door that I didn't notice Nick behind me. "Need help?"
My breath got caught in my throat having him so close to me. I could feel his body heat radiating off him as he enclosed his arms around me to reach the doorknob. He ended up struggling to open the door too. I was so fazed by his intoxicating cologne that I almost didn't catch what he had said next. Once again, keyword 'almost'.
"I guess we're stuck in here for now." Nick informed me as he sat down on the floor with his knees to his chest. He pats the empty floor beside him and I copy his actions sitting next to him. "I'll call Jullian to come get us." He states taking out his phone. I nod and lean my head back, deep in thought.
Why did it sound like Nick was asking me on a date earlier? Holy shit. What if he is? Does he like me? Nick never answered my question about why he was here. Not only that, but why would Jullian want me to show him the safe? When did Jullian and Nick become friends?
"He's coming." Nick informed me, halting my train of thoughts. I looked over to him and noticed how close we were yet once again. I decided to be bold and rest my head on his shoulder, while Nick grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. His hands were rough and calloused against my softer ones.
"When did you and Jullian become friends?" I asked out of the blue.
"We were both raised at the same orphanage," He let out a chuckle as if reminiscing something funny, "we liked the same girl, and we would get into fights and everything for her, but in the end, we called it a truce. Turns out, the girl didn't even like us! In fact, she was lesbian."
I chuckle at the thought of little Jullian and Nick fighting over a girl. I had known Jullian had been an orphan, but not that the same orphanage Nick had been in. I tilt my head upwards and notice Nick's parted lips inches away from mine. He lifts his hand up and cups the side of my face, leaning forward slowly as if asking permission to kiss me. I give him a slow nod of assurance that he needed and he closed the space between us.
***
Just out of curiosity, what predictions do you have so far?
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