Nico isn't home when I get there. I try not to be concerned about where he is but I can't help it. I don't call him because I'm mad at him. Still, midnight rolls around and he isn't here.

I don't go to sleep, not because I'm waiting for him, but because I'm not tired. Instead, I sit at the counter and work ahead on some homework. My eyes flicker to the clock every couple of seconds. An hour passes and it feels like forever when I finally hear the door open.

A breath of relief escapes me when he comes in. Nico pauses when he sees me like he's in awe.

We both stare at each other in silence.

"You waited," he says finally.

I let out a scoff. "Of course I did, you idiot. Where were you? Why didn't you call me?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not used to people wondering where I am... I dropped Tiffany off and went for a drive." He walks over to me and holds out a bouquet of flowers. "These are for you. I'm really sorry, Jennie."

Quietly, I accept the flowers. "Don't ever do that again," I say, even though I'm not exactly sure what "that" is referring to.

He stares into my eyes. "I won't," he promises. His eyes look even more blue than usual in this light. I feel my breath catch.

Kiss me.

What the hell? Freaked out, I frantically back up and say, "Ok, well, I'm tired so... good night."

The second that I turn away, he grabs my wrist and pulls me into him. My body tenses then relaxes against his, feeling the hardness of his chest against my cheek. Closing my eyes, I wrap my arms around his waist and breathe him in. He smells like butter popcorn and fresh flowers.

When he pulls away and caresses my cheek, I'm speechless. My heart is beating so loudly that I feel like there's no way he can't hear it. Taking my face in his hands, I feel the coolness of his rings against my cheek as he presses his forehead to mine.

"I came because I was jealous," he whispers.

With that, he walks to my room, leaving me stunned.

What the hell just happened?