Jealousy, Jealousy

Nick staggered, trying to catch up to Amelia, who was walking really fast. He called her name a few times, but she ignored him. She was heading toward a cab parked by the curb.

"Amelia, wait! Why are you rushing home?" Nick asked, stumbling a bit.

Amelia was just about to jump into the cab when Nick caught up to her, grabbing her arm. "Let go!" she snapped.

"No!" Nick shot back, tightening his grip.

They went back and forth for a minute until the cab driver, getting impatient, asked, "So… you gettin' in or not, miss?"

Amelia said, "Yes!"

At the same time, Nick blurted, "No!"

The driver sighed, unsure what to do. But when Nick flashed a hundred-dollar bill, the driver grinned and said, "Well, I guess it's no!" He pulled away, leaving them standing there.

Nick turned to Amelia, still a bit wobbly but trying to focus. "Hey, now tell me. Why'd you get so mad all of a sudden? You jealous?"

"Yes! I mean, no!" Amelia blurted out in a panic. "It's none of my business."

Nick chuckled at her, clearly enjoying how her words didn't match her actions. "Look, maybe not telling the team you're my wife was a mistake. We could officially announce it—"

"No! Don't do that," Amelia quickly shot down the idea. That kind of announcement would practically be like telling her family she was back with Nick. "I'm not mad."

"Then what?" Nick, who had been enjoying her jealousy, pressed on.

"I just find it disgusting," Amelia said, trying to cover it up. "Even though I don't love you, I still can't stand seeing you with that gross, trashy girl."

"Then, why are you so mad and leaving early? You could just ask me to ignore her. Mingle's important for your job, too," Nick said, looking genuinely confused. Amelia could only respond with her sigh. "Is it about having to work with Adam Carter and Rowena Smith?"

"That's one thing," Amelia admitted, her tone sharp. "But more importantly, why am I, a mother, out drinking with colleagues while my daughter's sick at home?"

Nick blinked in surprise. "I told you, Sally—"

Amelia cut him off, her voice rising. "Do you want me to walk into the house drunk? What kind of example would that set for the kids?"

Nick was struck silent, realizing how much he had missed. It wasn't just about Sally being at home—it was about the example he and Amelia were setting as parents. He hadn't even considered that. The weight of her words hit him like a cold slap, and he suddenly straightened up, trying to shake off the alcohol's haze.

"Okay, okay, I get it. I messed up," Nick muttered. He adjusted his jacket, smoothing it out. "Do I at least look sober?"

Amelia sighed, frustrated but resigned. "You look fine."

Nick kept glancing over at Amelia, staring for so long until he finally spoke. "Are you really not mad about Rowena kissing me?"

Amelia scoffed. "A little." But her face was all scrunched up.

Nick smirked, but he turned his head so she wouldn't see it. "If you want, I can give you something much better." He grabbed Amelia's shoulder, turning her to face him. Her red lips had him swallowing hard, even though her expression was still furious.

"Something better?" Amelia mocked, her eyes glaring at him with anger, though to Nick, that fire in her eyes made her look even more tempting. It was way more enticing than any sweet talk he'd heard all night. "What's that supposed to be?"

Nick swallowed again, feeling his heart race a little. "A kiss that's way hotter… or maybe somethin' more than just a kiss. You can have anything from me."

His voice came out softer than he intended, and his eyes held that desperate look that always seemed to break her walls down. For a second, Amelia almost believed the sincerity behind his words. But she wasn't about to let her guard down so easily, so she turned her face away, trying to stay strong.

Nick wasn't having that, though. He gently grabbed her chin and pulled her back toward him, forcing their eyes to meet again. His gaze was intense, and Amelia couldn't help but feel her defenses slipping. 

'You have no idea how irresistible you are, do you?' Nick thought as he locked eyes with her, seeing the fight slowly fade from her expression. 'I had plans to keep things cool with you after everything—after all the lies, you running away from home, everything. But look at me now?'

'Nick, why do you always make me feel so conflicted?' Amelia thought, her heart racing even as she tried to hold onto her anger. 

Without realizing it, their faces had gotten dangerously close. Their noses almost touched, and their lips were just a breath apart. The tension between them crackled like electricity, and neither of them moved to pull away. 

"Amy, you left your wallet!" a drunk voice suddenly called out, breaking the moment like a glass shattering on the ground.

Both of them jumped, startled, as Professor Lewis stumbled toward them, holding Amelia's wallet in his hand. "Oh, damn, did I interrupt somethin'? C'mon, kissing on the street's fine, but don't be gettin' all hot and heavy out here. Get a room." 

He handed Amelia her wallet with a knowing grin, then turned to Nick, slapping him on the back. "You should just announce she's your wife, man. Not everyone knows it."

He glanced between Amelia and Nick, then added, "Or, at least, wear your rings! Pests are everywhere."

That comment hit them both like a bucket of cold water. They exchanged a look, suddenly remembering something they hadn't thought about in a long time. They didn't even know where their wedding rings were. It had been so long since they'd worn them, and with their secret marriage, they'd never felt the need to. Even their families didn't make a fuss about it, and they'd all just grown used to the absence of the rings.

"Do you still have yours?" Nick asked, suddenly feeling a bit sheepish.