Unspoken Truths

The warm sunlight streamed through the office window, spilling across Nick's desk as he absently flipped through the reports in front of him. His movements were mechanical, his mind clearly somewhere else. The creak of the door snapped him out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see Adam saunter in, a knowing grin lighting up his face.

"How's the fever?" Adam asked casually, but there was something sharp in his tone.

Nick shrugged, avoiding his friend's gaze. "I'm fine," he muttered, his voice flat. He shifted in his chair, feigning interest in the papers, though his hand had stopped moving.

Adam didn't budge, his grin fading into something more serious. "You sure? Because I think there's something else bugging you."

Nick stiffened, the words hitting too close to home. He swallowed hard, his fingers curling tightly around the edge of the desk. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral, though his heart thudded in his chest.

Adam chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, man. Don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about." He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You need to tell Jane how you feel."

Nick froze, his breath catching in his throat. He forced out a laugh, low and unconvincing. "There's nothing to tell," he said quickly, spinning his chair to face the window. The fading sunlight painted golden streaks across his face, masking the faint redness creeping up his neck. "We're just friends."

Adam let out a loud scoff, pushing off the doorframe and stepping closer.

"Dude, it's written all over your face."

Nick stared at the horizon, watching the sun sink below the skyline, its light fading into a soft glow. His jaw tightened, and he balled his fists, the words running circles in his head.

Adam's words hit him like a ton of bricks. The truth he'd been dodging couldn't be ignored anymore, and it made his chest feel tight. Love. He thought about Jane's laugh, the way her eyes sparkled when they climbed the mountain, her playful teasing, and how just being around her made everything feel warmer. His heart raced at the memories, but the idea of telling her made his stomach twist. What if she didn't feel the same? What if he messed everything up?

In her apartment, Jane sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through camping photos on her phone. Maria, her roommate, leaned in, curious.

"Check this out!" Jane burst into laughter, pointing to a photo of Nick mid-race, hauling her over his shoulder like a sack of flour. "Can you believe this guy? He carried me like he was kidnapping me!" Her laughter filled the room, her cheeks flushing pink.

Maria glanced between the screen and Jane's face, her lips curling into a smirk. "You know, he looks kinda cute doing it. Are you sure you didn't enjoy it, even a little?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone light and teasing.

Jane rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her with a soft smile. "It was crazy," she admitted, her voice tinged with reluctant admiration. "But he won the race. No one else could've pulled that off."

Maria leaned back on the couch, watching Jane closely. Every time Jane talked about Nick, her voice softened, and her face lit up, even over the smallest thing. Sure, Jane mentioned Richard now and then, but it was clear to Maria that whatever Jane had felt for him was fading. Nick, though? That was different—stronger.

Maria kept her thoughts to herself. Pushing Jane to see what was obvious wouldn't help. Love had its own way of showing up when the moment was right.

Jane's phone buzzed, lighting up with Nick's name. Her lips curled into a smile as she swiped to answer.

"Are you free?" His voice came through, steady but warm.

"Uh, yeah. Why?"

"Dinner?" he asked, keeping it simple.

Her smile grew. "Sure."

"Come down," he said.

Without hesitation, Jane grabbed her jacket, her heart racing as she headed for the door.

"Now? Are you here?" Jane asked, stepping onto the balcony. Her heart jumped when she spotted Nick by his car, hands in his pockets, looking up at her.

"Yes."

"Okay, give me ten minutes!" she called out, rushing back inside.

She tore through her closet, tossing on a casual outfit that looked like she hadn't tried too hard but still felt right. Grabbing her bag, she hurried toward the door.

Maria leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, grinning. "So, you're ditching dinner with me?"

Jane paused, fumbling with her words. "He didn't even ask before showing up!" she said, her cheeks turning pink.

Maria laughed. "Go. Don't keep him waiting."

Jane shot her an embarrassed grin and bolted out the door, excitement bubbling as she skipped down the stairs.

Outside, Nick leaned casually against his car, his eyes following her as she jogged toward him. He shook his head, smiling. "How many times do I have to tell you not to run on the stairs?" he said, half amused, half serious.

"Why do you treat me like a kid?" Jane said, rolling her eyes with a playful smirk.

Nick walked over and opened the car door for her. She climbed in, and he closed it before sliding into the driver's seat.

"Where are we going?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her voice.

"To dinner, obviously," he said, throwing her a smug grin.

"Where?"

"Hill Palace," he replied casually, keeping his eyes on the road.

Jane's jaw dropped. "What?! Are you serious?"

"Why not?" he teased, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"I'm not dressed for that!" she blurted, tugging at her casual top as if it could magically transform.

Nick chuckled. "You look fine."

"No, I don't! Turn around!" she insisted, her voice rising in panic.

Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, relax. I'm kidding. I'm not actually taking you there."

Jane shot him a sharp look, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You better not be messing with me again."

Nick pulled into a small lot next to a cozy food truck. The air filled with the familiar aroma of spices, making Jane's stomach growl.

"I figured we'd go to your favorite spot," Nick said, cutting the engine.

Jane blinked, surprised. "How do you even know this is my favorite?"

Nick rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away. "I saw you here once... with Maria. Thought you might like it," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual.

Her face softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips. "You're right. I love it. Let's go."

They grabbed a seat by the lake, the moonlight dancing on the water's surface. The air felt cool, and the gentle rustling of leaves added a calm rhythm to the moment. Jane leaned back, her eyes fixed on the shimmering lake, her smile never fading.

Nick sat across from her, his gaze shifting between the peaceful view and her face, glowing softly in the moonlight.

A waiter walked up, balancing a notepad and pen, his smile easy and familiar. "Good evening, Jane," he said with a nod.

"Good evening!" Jane replied, her tone cheerful. "Thanks!"

After ordering two bowls of chicken noodles, Nick leaned back, soaking in the moment. The mix of laughter, moonlight, and the quiet hum of the lake felt just right.

The savory smell of noodles cooking filled the air, blending with the faint sound of laughter from nearby diners. Nick glanced at Jane, noticing how her eyes sparkled as she stared at the lake, her hair swaying lightly in the breeze.

"I've always thought about bringing you here," she said softly. "They have the best chicken noodles."

Jane started talking about all the times she'd come here with Maria, her voice lively and her hands moving as she told the stories. Nick stayed quiet, watching her. He couldn't help but notice the way her smile lit up her face or how her laughter seemed to float across the lake like a melody.

When their bowls of noodles finally arrived, Jane's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. She clapped her hands and bounced a little on the seat, her excitement bubbling over.

Nick laughed, shaking his head. "You're such a foodie," he teased, grinning at her.

"Just look at this!" Jane exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the steaming bowls of noodles and the golden, crispy chicken on the side.

She grabbed her fork, speared a piece of chicken, and blew on it gently. Without hesitating, she held it out toward Nick. "Here, try this!"

Nick froze, caught off guard by her sudden gesture. His heart skipped a beat as he stared at her, but her expectant eyes urged him on. Slowly, he leaned forward, letting her feed him.

The chicken was hot and perfectly spiced, but Nick barely noticed. All he could focus on was the sound of her laughter afterward, light and carefree, her face glowing with joy.

"Good, right?" she asked, giggling, her eyes sparkling.

Nick nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "It's perfect."

But what Nick really meant was her. She was perfect. Sitting across from her, with the lake shimmering behind them and her laughter filling the air, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

At a nearby table, an older couple chatted quietly, their soft laughter breaking the silence now and then. The woman glanced at Nick and Jane, then leaned closer to her husband, her smile warm and knowing. "It's nice to be young and in love," she said just loud enough for them to hear.

Jane froze, her eyes going wide. Her cheeks turned pink as the words sank in. She quickly looked down at her bowl, stirring her noodles to distract herself from the wave of embarrassment.

Nick, on the other hand, smiled politely at the couple, a soft chuckle slipping out. He didn't seem fazed at all. As he went back to eating, he kept stealing glances at Jane, his grin widening every time she caught him.

Jane's heart pounded, and no amount of stirring her noodles could calm it down.

Jane tried to shake off the woman's comment, but it stuck with her. It wasn't just what she'd said—it was everything that had changed lately. Since their trip, Nick had been acting differently around her. He wasn't as playful, and the jealousy he showed when Richard was around didn't annoy her anymore. In fact, it kind of felt... cute.

Curiosity bubbled up as Nick quietly ate, and without thinking, she looked up at him. The soft light from the outdoor lamps highlighted his features in a way she hadn't noticed before. His white shirt fit perfectly over his broad shoulders, a couple of buttons undone, giving her a glimpse of his chest. The sleeves were rolled up, showing off his forearms as he casually picked up a piece of chicken.

His hair was neatly styled, though a few strands hung loose over his forehead. Jane's gaze drifted to his lips, naturally pink, and her breath hitched. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, her pulse picking up.

When Nick looked up and caught her staring, she couldn't look away. It was like seeing him for the first time. A slow, teasing smile spread across his face, and her heart raced even faster.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Nick asked, his voice teasing and warm.

Jane snapped out of her daze, her face turning bright red. She quickly looked down at her bowl, her hands shaking as she fumbled with her fork. The fork clattered to the ground, and she flinched, embarrassed.

Nick raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. He leaned in a little closer, his face just a few inches from hers.

"Do I look handsome?" he asked, his voice lower now, playful but soft.

Jane's breath caught as he moved closer. She couldn't find the words, her heart pounding in her chest as his presence made it hard to think.

Finally, she managed to breathe again, whispering, "You wish," her voice shaky but filled with nervous energy.

Nick leaned back in his seat, still watching her closely. Jane crossed her arms, trying to compose herself, but the soft giggles from the older couple made her cheeks burn even more.

Embarrassed, she stood up suddenly, brushing off the moment. "I'm done. Let's go," she said quickly, her voice full of nerves as she walked toward the open area near the food stall to catch her breath.

Nick paid the bill quickly and caught up with her, flashing his usual teasing smile. "Running away from me already?" he asked, his voice light, though his heart was still racing from their moment together.

Jane didn't answer, walking ahead with her pace quickening. As Nick caught up, their shoulders brushed, and she glanced up at him. Before she could say anything, her foot hit a small stone, and she almost lost her balance.

"Ah—" she gasped, bracing for a fall, but Nick's arms shot out, catching her around the hips and pulling her into his chest.

Her breath caught as her hand pressed against his chest, feeling the quick, steady beat of his heart. She looked up at him, her eyes wide, and the warmth between them seemed to pulse.

Nick's grip tightened just a little, his gaze dropping to her lips. Jane's focus followed his, her mind racing. Just a step closer...

Her chest tightened as their faces inched closer, the world around them disappearing. His warm breath brushed her cheek, and her heart pounded so loudly that she wondered if he could hear it too.

Nick was about to say something when Jane's phone rang, breaking the moment. It was only for a second that her eyes glanced over to it. The name Richard was flashing upon the screen. Jane stepped back quickly, flustered, while Nick cleared his throat and turned away, his grip on her gone in an instant.

Jane pulled out her phone and answered. "Hello?"

Nick's face darkened in annoyance as he overheard part of the conversation. When Jane mentioned Richard's name, he felt his jaw tighten.

She hung up with a small smile. "That was Richard. He invited me to his birthday party tomorrow."

Nick turned to her, his expression sour. "And you're going, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jane blinked, surprised by the shift in his mood. "Of course," she said, watching him closely.

Nick's frustration showed. "Why do you like him so much?" he asked, his voice sharper than before.

Jane tilted her head, playing innocent. "What's wrong with Richard? He's great," she teased, enjoying the jealousy she could feel building in him.

Nick's hands clenched into fists at his sides. "He's not the right guy for you, Jane. You need to be careful."

Jane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why's that?"

He hesitated, his jaw tightening as he looked away. "Just trust me."

Jane shrugged, trying to hide the small smile tugging at her lips. She couldn't help but enjoy seeing him so worked up. "Do you want to come?" she teased.

Nick rolled his eyes, scoffing. "I'd rather not be the third wheel at an uninvited party," he muttered, crossing his arms.

The drive back to Jane's apartment was quiet—too quiet. The fun, light mood from earlier seemed to vanish, replaced by a thick silence. Jane sneaked glances at Nick, noticing how tight his jaw was and how his hands gripped the steering wheel a little too hard, his knuckles turning white.

She shifted in her seat. I shouldn't have teased him so much. I went too far, she thought, her chest tightening. She wanted to say something to break the silence, but the words wouldn't come.

Instead, she just watched him, noticing how his shoulders stiffened every time she moved. It was clear he was upset, and it made her feel worse. She felt guilty about leaving things the way she did with Nick, she knew she couldn't say anything at that moment. 

She considered telling him that Richard was just a friend, but she held back. It didn't feel like the right time. He probably wouldn't believe her in this mood anyway.

When they finally reached her apartment, Nick stopped the car without saying a word. The silence between them felt heavy, making Jane feel small.

"Thanks for the ride," she said quietly, her voice almost lost in the stillness.

Nick nodded briefly, not meeting her eyes. He waited for her to get out, then sped off before she could even fully close the door.

Jane stood there for a moment, watching his car disappear into the night. A long sigh escaped her, and her heart sank. The tension she had caused weighed on her.

I need to fix this, she thought as she climbed the stairs to her apartment. Nick's annoyed expression still played in her mind, making her chest ache. She knew she had to clear things up, to let him know that Richard didn't matter to her like that.

Leaning against her apartment door, she sighed again. For now, all she could do was hope he wouldn't stay mad for long.