As Jessica guided Nick to the entertainment room where the others were gathered, he watched her carefully. She was even more beautiful than he had remembered. He thought back to the intense moment the two had shared barely a few minutes ago. Her eyes were so beautiful and yet so sad. In them Nick saw honesty and innocence, yet there was something wrong. In her eyes Nick saw anguish. He had always been very perceptive. He was blessed with the ability to read people extraordinarily well. Jessica�s eyes were the eyes of someone who had been hurt so badly that they couldn�t forget. Nick had had to exercise all of his self-restraint to keep from reaching out and hugging her. He wanted so badly to tell her that it was okay. Jessica used to be so happy, he thought sadly to himself. She was so vibrant and full of energy. It�s all been replaced with sadness and pain now. Someone or something took it away from her.
Nick followed Jessica into the entertainment room. He was completely oblivious to his surroundings. AJ was sprawled on the lush cream carpet with Elizabeth close by his side. Brian and Lila were sharing the loveseat in the corner, deeply engrossed in an intimate conversation.
�Finally,� a voice chided interrupting Nick�s thoughts. �What took you guys so long?� AJ asked in mock anger.
Neither Nick nor Jessica answered AJ�s inquiry. Jessica assumed her usual position on the sofa. Nick strategically placed himself in the plush leather armchair right across from Jessica. An uncomfortable silence engulfed the room, as no one knew what to say next.
Jessica stared at Nick drinking in every little detail. He looked the same although he had matured a lot since the last time she had seen him. He was wearing a tight black tank top, which revealed his tanned muscular build and a pair of baggy dark blue jeans. Jessica observed that he was wearing a thick gold chain with an oversized cross hanging from it. She noted for the first time that on his left shoulder was a tattoo of a ferocious looking shark. She watched as Nick instinctively reached up to push a stray strand of hair out of his eyes. Nick�s thick blonde hair was perfectly offset by his amazing blue eyes.
�So Nick, tell us about your girlfriend,� Lila piped up breaking the silence. �Alyssa, right?�
�Ex-girlfriend,� Nick corrected running his hands through his hair. �We broke up a few months ago. It was a mutual thing. Our relationship wasn�t headed anywhere. We were totally wrong for each other.�
�Sorry,� Lila said sympathetically.
�We realized that we�d be better of as friends. We were on totally different wavelengths,� Nick said coolly.
My sentiments exactly, Elizabeth thought to herself. She looked over at AJ. It was going to be so hard to let him go. She cared about him so much. She knew in her heart though, it was something she couldn�t prolong any more.
�So Jess, what about you? Are you seeing someone?� Nick asked cautiously, eyeing Jessica to catch her reaction.
Nick watched as hurt and pain registered on Jessica�s face. Without making eye contact, Jessica answered wistfully, �I used to have a boyfriend�� her voice trailing off as she spoke.
From the corner of his eye, Nick could see Brian and Lila shooting him stern looks. Brian drew his hand across his throat signalling Nick to change the subject.
The silence in the room was almost eerie. Nick was perturbed by Jessica�s reaction. It bothered him to see her so sad and upset. She and Justin must have broken up recently. Maybe that�s what�s bothering her, Nick said to himself trying to convince himself that was what had happened. Subconsciously, he knew that it was much more than a break up that had scarred Jessica so deeply. It had to be�
Brian pulled Lila into his strong arms kissing her gently on the lips. �See you tomorrow baby,� he said sweetly. �Don�t worry about Jessica so much. She�ll be okay,� he said gently smoothing her hair as they sat on the couch in the entertainment room.
Lila smiled as she kissed Brian back softly. He was perfect. He always knew exactly what to say to uplift her spirits when she was down. He was always so honest and so sincere with her. Brian could read Lila like an open book. He knew all her fears, as well as her hopes and dreams.
With a sigh, Lila broke away from Brian. She couldn�t help being worried about her friend. �As much as I wish you could stay with me tonight, you�d better get going. Nick and AJ are waiting for you,� Lila said with a coy smile as Brian pulled her into his arms again.
�They can wait,� Brian said in between kisses.
Lila pushed Brian away giggling. �Seriously. They�re waiting,� she said standing up to smooth out her slightly rumpled clothes.
Brian encircled his arm around Lila�s waist and together the two walked to the door. Nick and AJ were already waiting for them there. AJ had his arm around Elizabeth and was giving her a goodnight kiss. Jessica and Nick were standing in awkward silence each as unsure as the other of what to say. AJ and Elizabeth broke apart as soon Brian and Lila approached.
�Ready to go? Brian inquired.
AJ and Nick nodded in unison. �Thanks for the dinner Liz. It was great,� Nick said giving Elizabeth a warm hug. As he hugged Elizabeth out of the corner of his eye, he watched Jessica as she stared blankly at the floor.
�I still can�t believe that you�re actually here in LA,� Lila said with disbelief as she gave Nick a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. �It�s so great to see you again. Just like old times,� Lila said with a smile
Nick smiled back replying �It�s great to be back. I think I�m really going to like LA,� he said gazing at Jessica. Unfazed by his gaze, Jessica�s head remained bent, her attention glued to the floor.
�Bye Jessica,� Nick said softly.
She looked up quickly at the mention of her name. Her eyes were bright as she said �Bye Nick. It was great seeing you again.�
The others exchanged goodbyes and hugs and the boys left. Jessica waved half-heartedly as Brian�s Jeep Cherokee sped off into the darkness. She closed the door behind her with a sigh. As she turned around she came face to face with Lila and Elizabeth. The girls had their arms folded across their chests. Serious looks masked their faces.
�Spill it Jess. What�s wrong? You�ve been acting aloof all night. You barely said a word at dinner,� Lila said.
�We�re here to listen if you want,� Elizabeth added.
Jessica looked at them hot tears stinging her eyes. They know me so well, she though to herself as her tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.
�Let�s go sit down,� Lila said soothingly.
Elizabeth placed her arm on Jessica�s shoulder as she guided Jessica towards the entertainment room. Once inside, Jessica sank into the leather couch, Lila, and Elizabeth on either side of her. They waited patiently for her tears to subside and for her to catch her breath.
�I�m so confused and scared. I thought it was all over that he couldn�t hurt me anymore. It does hurt though. It hurts badly,� Jessica whispered.
�I know it hurts Jessica. You don�t need to be scared anymore. Justin is gone. He won�t hurt you again,� Lila said comfortingly.
�That�s just it. He�s not gone and he�s still hurting me,� she said her voice barely audible.
Elizabeth and Lila exchanged confused looks. �I had a dream last night. It was horrible. Justin was there and he�� her voice cracked as she burst into tears again.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Jessica gently giving her a hug. �Don�t worry, Jess. We don�t need to talk about it anymore.�
Brian glanced at Nick in the rear view mirror of his Jeep. Nick had a preoccupied look upon his face as he sat quietly staring out the window into the darkness of the night. AJ noticed Nick�s uncharacteristic silence as well.
Nick�s thoughts were concentrated on Jessica. She had acted distant all throughout dinner. She was so different from the Jessica he used to know a few years back. This Jessica was quiet and reserved. She was scared and hurt.
�She was hurt really badly in the past Nick. It�s nothing personal bro,� Brian supplied. He knew that Nick was thinking about Jessica. In his opinion Jessica and Nick would make an ideal couple. They could be so good together. Jessica just wasn�t ready.
Brian watched as Nick flinched slightly at the mention of his name, running a hand through his hair. Nick diverted his attention from the window to the road ahead of them.
�Justin hurt her real bad. She�s not ready for a relationship right now. Forget about her man,� AJ said bluntly in an attempt to detract Nick�s thoughts from Jessica.
The idea of anyone ever hurting someone like Jessica was unfathomable to Nick. How could anyone ever hurt someone as precious as she is? he wondered incredulously to himself.
Brian looked into his mirror again. Nick had a faraway look in his eyes. Nick was falling for Jessica. Fast. Brian was sure of it.
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