A love to die for.

Chapter 8: We took a polaroid.

Nick drove us to a little café called Lula Café. We arrive and I see that it's pretty crowded already. It is 4 pm, so brunch and lunch are already over, but the weather is great so I guess that's why more people decided to sit outside and enjoy themselves.

Nick parks our car and I take my seatbelt off. When I go to reach to open the door of the car, Nick places his hand on my upper arm and stops me. My eyes meet his. "I just... Are you a bit better?" He asks with a flair of concern flashing on his face. I smile small. "I don't think I could get worse, so yes. I'm a bit better. Thanks for your concern. Now, where's my hot cocoa?" I raise my eyebrows and open the door of the car, leaving him behind, laughing.

The waiter places my cup of hot cocoa with a glimpse of smile. I return it and thank him. "He totally flirted with you, fyi." I raise my eyebrows, while taking a cautious sip of my drink. "He was definitely not." I tell Nick. It is his time to raise his eyebrows. "You're either very stubborn or very blind." "Well, I'm most certainly stubborn but I just know for sure that he was not flirting with me." "Why don't you realize that almost every guy wants to date you? Except for gay guys, and inclusive lesbians." "Almost?" I wink at him. He blushes, but doesn't even try to answer.

I smile. "Thought so." I stretch out my hand in front of me and pretend to look at my nails, thoughtfully. "You're totally in love with me." A grin appears on my face. "I'm not even going to try and defend myself, because at least you're smiling. And, if it takes my confidence getting crushed to get you smile again... Then, I'm just happy to help you." He explains. I roll my eyes, "You're no fun." I take another, bigger, sip from my cup and let my eyes meet his. "But, you are pretty great. Thank you."

His phone starts buzzing and he grabs it from the table. "Sorry, duty calls." he apologizes. I wave it away, showing him that I don't mind. "Hey." "-" "Really?" "-" "Of course, I understand. But does it have to be so soon?" "-" "You know what happened the last time. Which was literally an hour ago." Wait, is he talking about me? About the previous 'incident' that had happened at the police station? Nick's eyes cross mine and he gives me a small smile.

"I'll ask her." "-" "Yes, I have her number." "-" "I told you why. Because we have become friends during the case last year." Yeah, this is totally about me. "-" "I'll pretend that I haven't just heard that." "-" "Alright, bye." "-" "I'll see you then, yes." "-". Nick ends the call and tugs his phone back in his pocket.

I raise my eyebrows and wait for him to tell me what that call was all about. "Yes, it was about you." He tells me, answering my look on my face. "Oh, I figured as much. When do I need to come back for another interrogation?" "Wait, how do you know about that?" he asks confused. He looks cute when confused. So did Jackson. I, almost invisible, shake my head.

"Again, I figured as much. I thought that, after everything that went down, they probably weren't done asking me questions about Jackson and everything." He nods slowly. "You're right." He laces his fingers and smiles back at me. As always. True that. I answer him.

"So, when? Next week?" He shakes his head and unlaces his fingers in order to take his cup and takes a sip of his Coke. "Tomorrow. At noon." My mouth falls open. Literally.

"Wait, what? That soon?" He puts his elbows on the table and lowers his head in his hands. He groans. "I know." He says when he pulls his head back up. "Sorry. I tried, but-" "I know you did. It's okay." I let out a deep sigh. "It had to be done some day. I guess it's better when I have passed this all. Maybe then I can process it." I whisper the last part. I fumble with my hands on my lap.

A moment of silence passes between us, with neither of us knowing what to say or do. Luckily, our waiter comes back and asks us if we want anything else. Nick's eyes and mine lock, most certainly waiting for the other to answer. "I'm fine, thank you." I answer with a faux smile. "Yeah... Me too." Nick answers, hesitantly. "Alright, would you like the check then?" I nod, "Yes, please." The waiter excuses himself and walks away again.