Page 74 of My Rock Star Neighbor
Is Nick planning to kiss me?My heart flutters, but I need to remember that Nick is not promising anything, and I want to minimize my heartbreak.Plus, do I really want to spend the rest of my career hearing,“I know who you are.You’re Nick Devlin’s girlfriend,”and having people doubt my credentials?
Chapter twenty-one
Maddie
It’sonlythetwoof us back in Nick’s apartment.He has refused to let me out of his sight.He’s playing mellow mood music.He can’t really be planning a kissing tutoring session, can he?
“I need to shower, but you’re not allowed to leave,” he says sternly.
“There’s nothing more to discuss,” I say.
“That’s true,” he says.
I narrow my eyes.“Then I’m leaving.”
He shakes his head.“I’ll bang on the wall all night if you leave.”
“Clause one,” I say.“No noise past ten p.m.”
“No music past ten p.m.”He tsks.“Should have read that a bit more carefully.And you call yourself a reporter?”
I frown.“Seriously?I’m sure I wrote noise.It’s sometimes so hard to distinguish.”
He clutches his heart.“Ouch.”
I check clause one, and indeed, it is music.I was so worried about the physical contact that I didn’t pay close enough attention.
“You’re staying, right?”Nick is gathering up a change of clothes.At least he’s going to emerge dressed.
I don’t answer, and he disappears into the bathroom.I could leave.I have my keys and his keys.But I stay and look around.So…this is Nick’s apartment.I’ve seen it a few times from the doorway or through the window from the fire escape when I’m knocking to tell him to lower the volume, but not at my leisure.A guitar stand, a blue loveseat, a kitchen like mine, posters of bands everywhere, a photo of him and his mom, a photo of him and another man in front of Pickles—probably that mentor guy, not his dad.Nick seems well-balanced for someone who’s been through so much.
The rushing water stops.That was the quickest shower ever.This is my last chance to leave.I bite my lip.
Various shuffling noises sound in the bathroom.
I move from the couch to a chair at his dining table—much more formal.I need to take control of this situation.
I am anamazingkisser.Men melt when I kiss them.They’re practically beating down the door to kiss me.I wet my lips as Nick peeks out the door, no shirt, one sharply defined shoulder.
“Making sure you are still here,” he says.
“I’m not leaving,” I say as if I’m completely comfortable.
He opens the door wide, T-shirt in hand.I open up his newspaper.There’s a slight swish of the T-shirt being pulled on, and then Nick steps out and takes a seat across from me at his tiny table.He is lounging, though, with his legs on either side of me.
“Sarah’s article is good,” I say.“She totally mocked myMeet the City Agenciesseries idea.‘Everyone will be buying copies to read that.’”
“You’re avoiding the topic,” Nick says.
“Not at all.I’ve decided you’re right that my ex wanted to throw off my confidence.And you’re right.I’m a good kisser.”
For a second, Nick’s eyes flicker.I’ve surprised him.
“Great.We can kiss next time, then?”he asks.
No.Ugh.He’s so annoying.
“Let’s practice,” Nick says.“You’ve insisted that we practice for everything else, and this is probably the most critical piece of the puzzle.”
