Which was why I was single when I did meet Jess. And why she made me feel things I’d never felt in my life, never been allowed to feel. It was also why I’d do anything for the girl, including apologizing on her behalf to the whole damn student body if I needed to. I’d make a fool of myself if it meant she’d forgive me.
I started laughing when I thought about Jess slapping me. No girl had ever hit me before. I deserved it, for sure, but it had been worth it. Talking to Grand Master Paz was one of the greatest fucking moments in my life, and I’d do it all over again.
Apology Accepted
Jess
Nick was waiting for me in the parking lot as I walked through it heading toward my apartment. I spotted him sitting in his black truck before he noticed me. When I knocked on the driver’s side window, he startled before opening the door.
“Scared the shit out of me, Michaelson.”
“Parking lots are super dangerous in the daytime,” I teased.
He smacked my butt as I walked away. “I’m starving. Please tell me you’re hungry.”
I glanced back at him. “I could definitely eat.”
After turning the handle and finding it locked, I fished my keys from the bottom of my bag. I unlocked the door and tossed my stuff on the counter as Rachel came out of her room.
“You’re home?”
She looked around. “Obviously.”
Laughing, I said, “The door was locked, so I just assumed you weren’t here.”
Rachel sat on the couch as I passed by her.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to both my roommate and my boyfriend before running into my room to change clothes.
“So, Nick,” I heard Rachel say. “I heard all about your epic speech today. Addressing the crowd? Nice touch.”
I tossed on a clean top and headed back out as Rachel gave me a wink followed by a pointed look that said she needed to hear all the details.
Nick wrapped an arm around my waist. “Yeah, well. Didn’t want people thinking Jess was a—” He turned me around so that I faced him. “What’d you say, babe? An idiot?”
I laughed, nodding in agreement.
“Yeah. I didn’t want anyone to think Jess was an idiot for staying with me. But she got a good hit in there first,” he said, rubbing his cheek.
“I heard about that too. The slap heard around campus.” Rachel covered her open mouth with a hand dramatically. “I’m shocked at your unladylike behavior, Jess.”
I shrugged. “Hey, I never claimed to be a lady.”
“I’ll say,” Nick said, still rubbing his cheek.
I shoved at him. “All right, we’re going to get something to eat, and then I’ll be back. I think.” I glanced at Nick, not knowing what he had planned.
“She’ll be back later. Much later.” He smiled before moving to give Rachel a quick hug good-bye.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she shouted as we neared the door.
“That’s not very limiting, Rach,” I shouted back as I stepped outside.
When we pulled into the nearly full parking lot of a local Italian restaurant known for having the best pizza and pasta in town, Nick glanced at me. “You like Italian, yeah?”
I smiled. “What if I said no?”
“I think part of me might die. Jess, this place is the best.”
“I know it is. I love it here. The gnocchi.” I moaned like I was in heaven before kissing my fingertips and lifting them toward the sky.
“Don’t moan like that unless I’m underneath you. Or on top of you. Or kissing you. Or touching you,” he said, his gaze lingering on my mouth.
“I can’t help what good gnocchi does to me.” I licked my lips.
“You’re trying to kill me,” he said before hopping out of his truck.
When I turned to get out, he said, “Stay put,” so I stopped and waited as he opened my door and extended a hand to help me down.
Such a simple thing, but it meant a lot to me. Guys didn’t do that kind of thing anymore. Those small gestures mattered; they truly did.
We held hands as we entered through the red-and-white-checkered door, and once we were seated in a booth, it was as if no one else existed but the two of us. Nick had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room. When his attention was focused on you, you felt invincible, larger than life, and important.
“I’m really sorry again about last night,” he said.
I cringed a little, wanting to forget the radio bit that I’d heard. “I know. God, I was so pissed.”
“I know.” He pointed at his cheek. “Aren’t you going to apologize for striking me?”
I laughed. “Striking you? No. You deserved it.”
His jaw fell open. “Deserved it?” He started to say something else, but then stopped and shrugged one shoulder. “You’re right.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I smiled and leaned toward him, cupping my ear. “Could you repeat that, please?”
“You heard me the first time, woman.” He leaned away from me, his eyes narrowed playfully.
“No, I don’t think I did.”
“I said you were right,” he mumbled, looking toward the floor as I laughed.
The waiter greeted us, took our drink orders, and informed us of the specials that evening. Every word he spoke made me want to drool, but somehow I refrained. I loved food, and Italian was my weakness.