15

After more than two months into living together, the initial awkwardness had all but disappeared, replaced by a comfortable, almost seamless camaraderie. Chas had settled into Nick’s space as if it were her own, and the tension that had once existed between them—stemming from the unexpectedness of their living arrangement—was now replaced by an easygoing, almost sibling-like relationship.

One morning, Nick was making his usual breakfast—scrambled eggs with toast and a side of bacon—when Chas wandered into the kitchen, her hair still damp from the shower, wearing one of her oversized t-shirts that could practically swallow her whole.

“Good morning,” Nick said with a smirk, flipping the eggs in the pan. “You’re up early. Or should I say… still half-asleep?”

Chas, squinting against the light, slurred back, “I’m always awake early. You just don’t notice because I look like a zombie before coffee.”

“Fair point,” Nick said, passing her a cup of coffee before she had a chance to speak again. “You do look like the undead.”

“Oh, you’re so funny,” Chas muttered, but she took the coffee gratefully, feeling her body start to come alive with each sip. “What’s for breakfast today, Chef?”

Nick raised an eyebrow, grinning. “You can always count on me for the classics—eggs, toast, bacon. The usual.”

Chas took a dramatic sniff of the air, pretending to be impressed. “Wow, you’ve got it all figured out, huh? What’s next, a five-star omelet?”

“Maybe when you stop putting Nutella on your scrambled eggs.”

Chas froze mid-sip. “That’s what I call creative breakfast art, thank you very much.”

“Creative, or questionable?” Nick laughed, turning back to the stove, not missing a beat.

“Oh, you’re just jealous you didn’t think of it first,” Chas shot back, her face breaking into a grin. “You know, my Nutella skills are top-notch.”

Nick gave her an exaggerated, thoughtful look. “Mmm, yeah, I bet you’re famous for it in the five-star Nutella restaurants in your head.”

“Exactly!” she said, raising her mug in a mock toast. “I’m basically a breakfast icon. You should be honored.”

“Honored, huh?” Nick said, lifting a plate with eggs and toast, passing it to her. “Well, don’t mind me, breakfast royalty. I’ll just get back to my masterpiece.”

Chas’s laughter filled the room as she took a bite, still chuckling at the absurdity of their banter. They’d been slipping into these funny, light-hearted moments more and more, and Chas realized how easy it had become to just be herself around Nick.

Nick leaned against the counter, watching Chas devour her breakfast with a satisfied smile on his face. “You know,” he said, his voice teasing, “for someone who calls herself a breakfast icon, you sure don’t hold back when it comes to shoving food into your mouth like a teenager.”

Chas paused mid-bite, giving him a mock glare. “Excuse me, Mr. Rock Star, but at least I don’t eat my toast with an obnoxious amount of butter. Seriously, you’d think you were trying to lubricate an engine.”

Nick laughed, shrugging. “Hey, it’s called flavor. You wouldn’t understand, Miss Nutella-on-Eggs.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, then took another bite, chewing dramatically just to annoy him. “You’re just mad that I’m living my best life.”

“Yeah, sure,” Nick said, rolling his eyes, but his smirk gave him away.

Chas plopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh, sinking into the cushions like she planned to stay there all day. She grabbed the nearest throw pillow and hugged it, mumbling, “It’s the weekend, Nick. Let this day be what it’s meant to be: a lazy day.”

Nick, still cleaning up the breakfast plates, shot her a look from the kitchen. “Oh no, no, no. You’ve had plenty of lazy days. Today, we’re doing something healthy.”

Chas peeked at him from over the pillow, her brows furrowed. “Define healthy.”

“Jogging,” Nick said, his voice smug as if he had just announced the best idea in the world.

Chas’s groan could’ve been heard from a mile away. “You can’t be serious. I just showered. Do I look like I’m dressed to run anywhere?”

Nick walked over, crossing his arms and giving her a pointed look. “You’re wearing an oversized t-shirt and shorts. That’s practically workout gear. Perfect for jogging.”

She clutched the pillow tighter, glaring at him. “This is lazy day attire, not ‘get dragged around the block like a dog on a leash’ attire.”

Nick smirked, grabbing her wrist and gently pulling her up from the couch. “Come on, it’s a beautiful day outside. A little fresh air, a little movement. You’ll thank me later.”

“Doubtful,” Chas muttered, reluctantly getting to her feet. “The only thing I’m thanking you for is ruining my lazy morning.”

Nick laughed, handing her a pair of trainers he’d somehow retrieved without her noticing. “You’re going to love it. Trust me.”

She slipped on the shoes with an exaggerated pout. “I’ll hold you to that. If this ends with me gasping for air and wanting to throw up, you owe me ice cream.”

“Deal,” Nick said with a grin, already lacing up his own shoes.

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By the time they made it out of the house and started jogging down the street, Chas was already regretting her decision. “You call this jogging? You’re practically sprinting!” she called out, trailing behind Nick.

Nick slowed his pace slightly, turning back to give her a teasing look. “This isn’t sprinting, Chas. You’re just slow.”

She glared at him, wiping sweat off her brow. “I’m conserving energy. It’s called strategy.”

Nick laughed, jogging backward for a moment to keep eye contact with her. “Strategy, huh? Well, your strategy better include catching up.”

Chas pushed herself to jog a little faster, her breath coming out in huffs. “You’re enjoying this way too much, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” Nick admitted, grinning. “But come on, doesn’t it feel good? The fresh air, the endorphins…”

“Ask me again when I’m not dying,” she shot back, though she couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto her face.

After a while, Nick slowed to a stop at the edge of a park, waiting for her to catch up. When she finally reached him, she bent over, hands on her knees, panting. “Okay… jogging is officially the worst idea you’ve ever had.”

Nick handed her a water bottle he’d brought along, his smirk firmly in place. “You survived, didn’t you?”

“Barely,” she muttered, taking a long sip.

He leaned against a nearby tree, watching her recover. “You have to admit, though—it’s not the worst way to spend a weekend morning.”

Chas straightened up, giving him a pointed look. “We’ll see. You still owe me ice cream.”

Nick laughed, nodding. “Fair enough. Come on, let’s head back. I’ll even let you have your lazy afternoon after this.”

Chas perked up at that, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Lazy afternoon and ice cream. Deal?”

Nick shook his head, chuckling. “You drive a hard bargain. Deal.”

Nick gestured toward an empty bench under the shade of a large tree. “Alright, we’ll take a break,” he said, plopping down with a satisfied sigh. “Can’t have you passing out on me.”

Chas flopped onto the bench beside him, dramatically leaning her head back. “Finally. I was about five seconds away from calling an ambulance.”

Nick chuckled, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Oh, come on. You didn’t die, and you got some exercise. I’d call that a win.”

Chas peeked at him from the corner of her eye, a small smirk forming. “The only winning part is the ice cream I’m getting after this.”

Nick rolled his eyes, taking a sip from his water bottle before holding it out to her. “Here. Hydrate before you start plotting your next lazy scheme.”

She took the bottle, brushing her fingers against his for a second longer than necessary. “You act like I don’t deserve a reward for my suffering.”

Nick watched as she tilted her head back to drink, the sunlight catching in her damp curls, her skin glowing from the exertion. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just secretly admiring the way she had pushed through—even if she complained the whole time.

Chas, meanwhile, found herself sneaking glances at Nick from under her lashes. His t-shirt was slightly damp with sweat, clinging to his frame, and the way he leaned back, relaxed and confident, made her stomach do an annoying little flip. It was ridiculous, really.

But before the moment could linger too long, Chas wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and smirked. “So, tell me the truth—was this whole jogging thing just an excuse to show off your superior stamina?”

Nick scoffed, giving her a sideways glance. “Oh, absolutely. I live for moments where I can outshine you.”

Chas nudged him with her elbow. “Rude. And here I thought you dragged me out here for my well-being.”

“That too,” Nick admitted, grinning. “But mostly, I just wanted to see if you’d actually survive a morning without your lazy-day routine.”

Chas gasped in mock offense. “Excuse you, my lazy-day routine is a sacred tradition.”

Nick smirked. “Right. And yet, here you are, outside, getting fresh air like a normal human.”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “Against my will.”

Nick laughed, reaching over to tug at the sleeve of her oversized t-shirt. “Admit it, it wasn’t that bad.”

Chas bit her lip, pretending to contemplate. “Mmm… I’ll admit it after I get my ice cream.”

He groaned playfully, but there was amusement in his eyes. “Fine. Let’s go before you start whining again.”

She grinned, hopping up from the bench, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. As they started walking back, their playful bickering continued, but beneath it all, there was a quiet warmth—a mutual, unspoken fondness that neither of them fully acknowledged just yet.

As promised, Nick took Chas to a nearby ice cream stand, rolling his eyes as she excitedly examined the flavors like a kid in a candy store.

“Oh my God, they have cookie dough!” Chas practically bounced on her feet. “And pistachio! And caramel swirl!”

Nick smirked, arms crossed. “You’re acting like you’ve never seen ice cream before.”

Chas ignored him, already pointing at the menu. “I want a double scoop—cookie dough and caramel swirl.”

Nick sighed dramatically but handed over the cash. “Yeah, yeah, anything for the queen of suffering.”

When she got her ice cream, Chas took a huge bite and sighed blissfully. “Mmm. This is so worth the torture you put me through today.”

Nick chuckled, watching her with an amused expression. Her face practically lit up with joy, and she looked completely carefree in this moment—like a kid who had just won the lottery.

Something about it made his chest tighten in a way he couldn’t explain.

Chas glanced up at him, licking her spoon before tilting her head. “Why are you staring at me like that? You jealous of my superior ice cream choice?”

Nick blinked, snapping out of it. “Nah, I’m just wondering how someone in their twenties can act like a five-year-old over dessert.”

Chas pouted, clutching her cup protectively. “Excuse you, ice cream brings out the best in me.”

Nick chuckled, shaking his head. “I can see that.”

As they walked, Chas stole occasional glances at Nick, feeling something warm settle in her chest. She didn’t know why, but being around him like this—seeing him indulge her whims, being effortlessly kind and protective—it made her feel safe. Like she could trust him with anything.

And that scared her a little.

She had never really had someone look after her like this, not in such an easy, natural way. It was as if Nick wanted to take care of her, even though she was perfectly capable of handling herself. And that small, unfamiliar spark in her heart? She had no idea what it meant.

Meanwhile, Nick was just as conflicted.

Chas had this way of bringing out something in him that he hadn’t felt in years—this urge to tease her, but also to protect her, to make sure she was okay, even over the little things like getting her stupid ice cream.

He told himself it was just because she was younger, still a bit naïve in some ways, and he was just being responsible. But deep down, he knew that was a lie.

Because the truth was—he liked seeing her like this.

Carefree. Playful. Childish, even.

And the worst part?

He liked how it made him feel, too.

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As they walked back toward Nick’s house, still basking in the afterglow of their morning outing, they passed by one of his longtime neighbors, Mrs. Dawson. She was an older woman in her late sixties, with short silver hair and a sharp eye for everything that went on in the neighborhood. She was tending to the flowers in her front yard when she spotted them.

Nick knew that look immediately—curiosity.

“Well, well,” Mrs. Dawson mused, dusting off her hands as she straightened up. “Nicholas, dear, I didn’t know you had company these days.”

Nick exhaled a quiet sigh, knowing exactly where this was going. With a polite smile, he slowed his pace and nodded toward her. “Morning, Mrs. Dawson. This is Chas, my housemate.”

Chas, who had been licking the last bit of caramel swirl from her spoon, quickly straightened up at the mention of her name. She gave a friendly wave. “Hi! Nice to meet you.”

Mrs. Dawson’s eyes twinkled as she studied Chas. “Housemate, you say?”

Nick nodded, keeping his tone light. “Yep. She’s staying with me for a while.”

The older woman hummed thoughtfully. “That’s interesting. I’ve seen you two coming and going, and the neighborhood’s been wondering… Well, you know how people talk.”

Chas stifled a laugh, glancing at Nick. “You’re neighborhood gossip material now. Congrats.”

Nick rolled his eyes, but Mrs. Dawson chuckled. “Oh, don’t you worry, dear, I’ll make sure they get the correct story. But I must say, Nicholas, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you with company. And such a lovely young lady, too.”

Chas felt a sudden warmth creep into her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if it was from the compliment or the way Mrs. Dawson’s words subtly hinted at something more.

Nick, ever the gentleman, simply smiled. “Well, thank you, Mrs. Dawson. But really, Chas is just a housemate.”

Mrs. Dawson’s knowing smile didn’t falter. “Of course, dear.”

Chas bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She could tell the older woman wasn’t entirely convinced, and a small, mischievous part of her found that amusing.

“Well,” Nick said, sensing the conversation veering into dangerous territory, “we’d better get going. Enjoy your gardening.”

Mrs. Dawson waved them off with a sly smile. “You two have a nice day now.”

As soon as they were a safe distance away, Chas nudged Nick playfully. “Just a housemate, huh? You realize she doesn’t believe you at all, right?”

Nick groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I noticed.”

Chas grinned. “I bet the whole neighborhood thinks I’m your secret girlfriend now.”

Nick scoffed. “Great. Just what I need.”

She elbowed him. “Oh, come on, it’s kind of funny.”

Nick sighed dramatically. “Hilarious.”

As they neared Nick’s house, Chas couldn’t resist the urge to tease him further. Her playful grin reappeared, and she nudged him with her elbow again.

“You know,” she said with mock seriousness, “maybe we’ve got this all wrong. Mrs. Dawson’s probably thinking I’m not your secret girlfriend at all.”

Nick gave her a sidelong glance, his brow raised. “Oh yeah? What else could she be thinking?”

Chas leaned in slightly, lowering her voice in exaggerated secrecy. “Maybe she thinks I’m your secret daughter.”

Nick froze mid-step, his eyes widening with disbelief. “What?”

Chas burst into laughter, barely able to contain herself. “You know, it kind of fits. You’re all gentlemanly and protective, and you’re always looking out for me. Maybe Mrs. Dawson is just trying to figure out what’s going on in your secret family life.”

Nick shot her a playful glare. “You’re really going to give me a complex, aren’t you?”

Chas only laughed harder, her shoulders shaking with the force of it. “I mean, you do act like you’re playing the protective dad role. It’s kind of adorable.”

Nick rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “Great. Now I’m going to be the creepy dad figure in the neighborhood. Thanks.”

But Chas, still grinning, bumped his side with her hip. “Hey, you’re not the creepy dad. You’re more like the cool one. The one who brings his daughter ice cream after a run.”

Nick laughed despite himself. “Cool dad, huh? I guess I’ll take it.”

She glanced up at him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “You know, I’m not even mad about the whole ‘secret daughter’ thing. Maybe it’s kind of fun to think about.”

Nick raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Oh really? You think so?”

Chas shrugged, still grinning. “Well, you’re the one who always looks out for me. I’m like your little partner in crime.”

As they reached Nick’s front yard, just before stepping inside, a familiar voice called out from the neighboring house.

“Nick! Long time no see!”

Chas turned her head to see a woman around Nick’s age stepping onto her porch with a warm, bright smile. She had shoulder-length golden brown hair, soft features, and the effortless glow of someone who carried a natural warmth.

Nick smiled in return. “Hey, Loreen.”

Loreen wiped her hands on her apron, glancing curiously at Chas before looking back at Nick with a teasing glint in her eyes. “And who’s this? Don’t tell me you’ve finally gotten yourself a—”

Nick, already knowing where this was going, chuckled and raised a hand before she could finish. “Before you assume things, let me introduce you properly. This is Chas, my housemate.”

Loreen’s eyes widened slightly before her smile grew even warmer. “Oh! Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Chas.” She turned her attention fully to her now. “I’m Loreen. I live next door with my husband Jimmy and our son, Alan. Don’t be surprised if you see a little boy running around here sometimes.”

Chas gave a polite, slightly shy smile, still getting used to all the introductions today. “Nice to meet you too. And I don’t mind kids at all. If anything, I’m great with them.”

Loreen beamed. “That’s good to hear. Alan’s a handful, but he’s a sweetheart. Maybe you’ll get to meet him soon.” Then, with a smirk, she added, “So… housemates, huh?”

Nick sighed, knowing full well the curiosity brewing behind Loreen’s playful tone. “Yes, housemates. Nothing scandalous, before you ask.”

Loreen laughed. “Oh, come on, I wasn’t going to say anything—okay, maybe I was. But you can’t blame me! A young girl suddenly living with you? It’s bound to get the neighborhood talking.”

Chas exchanged a glance with Nick before smirking. “Oh, trust me, we’ve already had some wild theories today. First, I was a secret girlfriend, then I was his secret daughter.”

Loreen burst out laughing. “His daughter? Oh, that’s good.” She wiped at her eyes, still giggling. “Wow, Nick, you’re really out here collecting new identities.”

Nick groaned dramatically. “Fantastic. First, I’m a dad, and now the whole neighborhood thinks I’ve got a secret double life.”

Chas snickered, nudging his side. “Embrace it, old man.”

Loreen shook her head, still amused. “Well, I’ll let you two get inside. But Chas, you’re welcome to drop by anytime. I’d love to chat more.”

Chas smiled, feeling a little more at ease now. “Thanks, I’d like that.”

As they finally stepped inside, Nick muttered under his breath, “This neighborhood is going to eat me alive.”

Chas just grinned. “Nah, they love you. You’re like their mysterious rockstar-turned-suburban dad.”

Nick shot her a look. “If you call me dad one more time, you’re doing the dishes for a week.”

Chas gasped in mock horror. “You wouldn’t.”

Nick smirked. “Try me.”

Their laughter echoed through the house as the door closed behind them, the teasing banter a natural part of their routine now.

As soon as they stepped inside, Chas let out a dramatic sigh and plopped herself onto the couch, sprawling out like she had just completed a marathon.

“Weekend officially declared as lazy day,” she mumbled, grabbing a throw pillow and hugging it to her chest.

Nick, still standing near the door, raised an eyebrow as he toed off his sneakers. “Oh no, princess, you’re not getting away with another lazy weekend.”

Chas peeked up at him with a glare. “Excuse me?”

Nick smirked, walking over and leaning on the back of the couch. “I’m challenging you to come to the gym with me next weekend.”

Chas made a face. “Ha. That’s cute. But no.”

Nick crossed his arms. “Why not?”

She rolled onto her side, looking up at him. “Because my body rejects the concept of unnecessary movement.”

Nick scoffed. “Unnecessary? You were literally sprinting after an ice cream truck earlier.”

“That was a necessity,” Chas corrected with a serious expression. “That was about survival.”

Nick laughed, shaking his head. “Come on, it’ll be fun. We’ll start with something easy. Treadmill, some light weights—”

“Yeah, yeah, until you trick me into lifting some heavy thing and I collapse in the middle of the gym,” Chas cut in. “I see your evil plan, Nicholas.”

Nick leaned down closer, grinning. “Oh, so now I’m Nicholas?”

Chas stuck her tongue out at him before rolling onto her stomach. “Look, I appreciate the invitation, really. But I am perfectly happy being weak and fragile.”

Nick laughed, reaching down to playfully pinch her cheek. “Alright, weak and fragile Chas. But one day, you’re going to cave, and when you do, I’m making you do burpees.”

Chas gasped dramatically and smacked his arm. “You’re a monster.”

Nick just smirked. “And you owe me after all that whining you did about jogging this morning.”

Chas groaned into the pillow. “Ugh. Fine. But I demand a reward after.”

Nick chuckled. “Ice cream again?”

Chas peeked up at him. “Duh.”

Nick shook his head in amusement. “Deal.”

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Another weekend rolled around, and despite her previous protests, Chas found herself standing in the middle of Nick’s usual gym, already regretting all of her life choices.

She adjusted the oversized hoodie she had stubbornly worn over her workout clothes, looking around the place like a lost puppy. The sound of weights clanking, treadmills whirring, and overly enthusiastic gym bros hyping each other up filled the air.

Nick, dressed in a black sleeveless workout shirt and shorts, stood beside her, arms crossed, looking entirely too amused. “Alright, rookie, ready for your first training session?”

Chas gave him a deadpan stare. “I still have time to run away.”

Nick chuckled. “Nope. You’re committed now. Come on, let’s start with some stretches.”

He guided her through a few warm-ups, and to her credit, Chas followed along without too much complaint—until he had her on a treadmill.

“Just a light jog,” Nick instructed, setting her speed low.

Chas squinted at him. “Define light.”

Nick smirked. “You’ll be fine. Just start walking, then pick up the pace.”

She sighed dramatically but did as told, walking at first before easing into a slow jog. For the first few minutes, she actually thought, Okay, this isn’t so bad. But then Nick upped the speed slightly.

“Whoa—HEY!” Chas clutched the sides of the treadmill in panic. “Why does it feel like I’m suddenly being chased?”

Nick laughed. “This is literally basic cardio.”

“It feels like I’m running for my life.”

Nick just shook his head in amusement. “Alright, alright, let’s move on before you have a meltdown.”

What followed was a series of light weight exercises—though to Chas, it might as well have been military training. Nick showed her how to do simple squats, lunges, and bicep curls, making sure her form was correct, but the entire time, Chas had her own commentary.

“Oh, so this is how people willingly suffer?” she muttered while holding a squat.

Nick raised an eyebrow. “It’s called building strength.”

“It’s called torture, Nicholas.”

As much as their gym session was filled with Chas’s exaggerated suffering and endless complaints, there was an undeniable undercurrent of something softer between them—something neither of them openly acknowledged, but both secretly felt.

Like now, for example.

Nick stood behind Chas, adjusting her posture as she attempted another squat. His hands lightly rested on her waist to guide her movements. “Keep your back straight, like this.”

Chas shivered slightly at the contact but quickly covered it up with sarcasm. “Geez, Nick, buy me dinner first before touching me like this.”

Nick huffed a laugh but didn’t let go. “I am buying you ice cream later, aren’t I?”

Chas clicked her tongue. “Damn, that’s true. Carry on, then.”

As much as Nick was trying to be the responsible one—guiding her, making sure she kept proper form—his focus was beginning to slip. Just a little.

Chas, despite being on the skinnier side, had a body type that was… distracting, to say the least. Small waist, fuller hips, and round derrière—all perfectly accentuated in those damn leggings she had decided to wear today. And her thighs, though not overly thick, had just the right amount of softness to them.

Nick was a professional. He had self-control. But right now? Right now, he was struggling.

Chas, of course, was completely oblivious. She was too busy complaining about her suffering.

“Ugh, how many more of these?” she whined, holding the squat position with a dramatic sigh.

Nick cleared his throat, keeping his voice steady. “Five more. Come on, you got this.”

Chas groaned but complied, moving up and down with each rep. And Nick, being the good trainer he was, kept his hands on her waist to make sure she had the right posture.

It was a mistake.

Because every time she moved, he could feel the curve of her waist, the shift of her hips beneath his palms. His fingers lightly grazed her sides as she straightened, and he had to force himself to not focus on the way her body moved under his touch.

He was losing his mind.

Chas, still completely unaware, let out an exhausted breath. “Nick, if I pass out, promise me you’ll tell people I died in a cool way.”

Nick exhaled a sharp laugh, grateful for the distraction. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Something dramatic. Maybe say I fought off a bear or something.”

Nick smirked, shaking his head. “Right, because that’s totally believable.”

“It is if you sell it well enough.”

Nick chuckled, finally stepping back once she finished the set. “Alright, you survived. No bear story needed.”

Chas immediately plopped onto the mat, sprawled out like a starfish. “I can’t feel my legs.”

Nick, still reeling from his own internal crisis, rolled his shoulders and tried to push away certain thoughts.

This was fine. Everything was fine.

Just a normal gym session with his housemate.

Who just so happened to have an insanely distracting body.

Yup. Totally normal.

He couldn’t help but notice how cute she looked—her determination, her slightly furrowed brows, the way her loose curls bounced with each movement. Even when she complained, there was an endearing quality to it that made him want to tease her even more.

And Chas wasn’t immune either.

After another round of cardio, Nick pulled off his hoodie, revealing his toned arms and broad shoulders beneath his sleeveless shirt. Chas, in the middle of pretending to die from exhaustion, suddenly found herself very awake.

“Oh,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Nick raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Chas quickly looked away, waving him off. “Nothing, nothing—just realizing the suffering I have to endure just to reach that level of fitness.”

Nick smirked, clearly catching on to her flustered reaction. “You checking me out, Chas?”

She scoffed, crossing her arms. “Please. I was admiring the concept of fitness, not you.”

Nick let out a low chuckle, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “Uh-huh. Sure.”

Chas stuck out her tongue, but as they moved to their next set of exercises, she found herself sneaking occasional glances at him. The way he focused when he worked out, the slight sheen of sweat on his skin—it was unfair how good he looked.

And as much as Nick enjoyed teasing her, he found himself doing the same. Watching the way she stubbornly pushed herself, the determination in her eyes, the way she scrunched her nose when something felt too difficult—it made him want to keep watching her, keep challenging her, just so he could see more of those little reactions.

By the time they reached the ab exercises, Chas was sprawled out on the mat, panting dramatically. “Leave me here. Let me become one with the gym floor.”

Nick smirked and crouched down beside her. “Come on, one more set. Then I’ll treat you to ice cream.”

Chas’s head snapped up. “Ice cream?”

Nick grinned. “I knew that would work.”

Chas groaned but forced herself up. “I hate how well you know me.”

“Trust me, I love it,” Nick teased, offering her a hand to pull her up.

And despite all her complaints, deep down, Chas couldn’t deny—there was something kind of nice about the way Nick pushed her, looked after her, and made her feel like she could actually do this. Not that she’d ever admit it out loud.

By the time they finished and Nick finally treated her to ice cream, Chas lit up like a little kid, happily munching on her cone.

Nick chuckled as he watched her. “I swear, you’re like a five-year-old sometimes.”

Chas, unfazed, grinned at him. “And yet, you still willingly spend time with me. Suspicious.”

Nick smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah, real suspicious.”

What neither of them said out loud was how, beneath all the teasing and playful bickering, there was something growing—something warm and unspoken between them. And maybe, just maybe, neither of them minded at all.

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Nick had barely stepped out of his room, hair still damp from the shower, when his eyes landed on Chas sprawled out on the couch.

Wearing that.

A cropped tank top that showed just a sliver of her stomach, and—God help him—hot pants.

Nick wasn’t even sure if they could be classified as shorts with how little they covered. Her legs were stretched out lazily, her skin still warm from the shower, and the way she was lying there so carelessly, flipping through her phone, completely unaware of what she was doing to him—

Get it together, Nick.

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to act normal as he made his way to the kitchen. “Comfortable?” he asked, keeping his voice even.

Chas yawned, stretching her arms over her head. “Very.”

Nick did not look. He refused to look.

“Nice to know someone is enjoying themselves while I’m suffering,” he muttered, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

Chas turned her head toward him, raising an eyebrow. “Suffering? What are you talking about?”

Nick took a long sip of water, way longer than necessary, as if hydrating would somehow cool him down. “Nothing. Just… sore from the gym.”

Chas smirked. “Oh, please. You didn’t even do half of what I did today.”

Nick nearly choked on his drink. “You did half of what I did.”

“Exactly,” she teased, rolling onto her side, resting her cheek on the cushion. “And I still feel like I’ve been run over.”

Nick exhaled slowly through his nose. Focus on the conversation. Not on the fact that she’s lying there looking like that.

To make matters worse, Chas, completely oblivious to his suffering, pouted. Actually pouted.

“You should give me a reward for working so hard today,” she mused, tapping her chin.

Nick arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Oh yeah? And what exactly do you have in mind?”

Chas grinned, eyes lighting up with mischief. “A foot massage.”

Nick snorted. “Not happening.”

She gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Wow. And here I thought you were a gentleman.”

Nick rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “Being a gentleman has limits, Chas.”

Chas stuck out her tongue, then turned her attention back to her phone, wiggling her toes as if to tempt him.

Nick dragged a hand down his face. He needed a distraction. Anything to stop himself from overanalyzing how ridiculous and adorable she was at the same time.

But deep down, he knew the truth.

He was completely screwed.

Nick let out a long, exaggerated sigh, rubbing his temples. “You are so lucky I have the patience of a saint.”

Chas grinned triumphantly as she shifted on the couch, dropping one foot onto his lap. “Admit it. You want to do this.”

Nick scoffed, feigning reluctance as his hands instinctively wrapped around her ankle. “I swear, if you tell anyone about this, my reputation is ruined.”

Chas wiggled her toes, biting back a giggle. “Relax, tough guy. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Nick shook his head, muttering something about how did he end up here before he started kneading his thumbs into the sole of her foot. Chas immediately let out a pleased hum, stretching further into the couch like a lazy cat.

“Ohhh, okay, you’re actually good at this,” she sighed, her voice laced with pure bliss. “Where did you learn this?”

Nick smirked, keeping his focus on her foot. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

She peeked at him with one eye open. “Wait… did you do this for your ex-wife?”

Nick chuckled. “Sheri? Nah. She hated people touching her feet.”

Chas gasped. “A tragedy.”

“Right?” Nick agreed, pressing his thumbs into a tender spot that made her twitch.

Chas giggled, jerking slightly. “Okay, okay, that tickles!”

Nick grinned devilishly. “Oh? Ticklish, huh?”

Before she could react, he ran his fingers lightly over her arch, making her squeal and attempt to kick him, but he caught her ankle with ease.

“Nick!” she whined between giggles, trying to squirm away.

Nick chuckled, still holding her foot in place. “What? I’m just being thorough.”

“You’re being evil!” Chas huffed, playfully glaring at him.

Nick smirked but relented, returning to a proper massage instead of torturing her. He watched as she melted back into the couch, sighing happily.

And that’s when it hit him—again.

She was way too comfortable around him. Too at ease, too natural, like she belonged there.

And the scary part?

It didn’t bother him. Not one bit.

If anything, it made something deep inside him feel… settled. Like this was exactly where she was supposed to be.

He swallowed hard, shaking off the thought. He was already testing his limits enough tonight.

Just as Chas was about to fully relax, Nick’s smirk turned mischievous.

“You know…” he started, his fingers lazily trailing over her ankle. “I feel like we haven’t established proper consequences for all the times you annoy me.”

Chas, sensing danger, immediately sat up, eyes narrowing. “Nick. Don’t.”

But it was too late.

With zero warning, Nick launched his attack, his hands finding her sides and wiggling his fingers mercilessly.

Chas shrieked, twisting and flailing, trying to escape. “NICK! STOP! I—” she gasped between laughs, her body writhing under his relentless assault.

Nick just laughed, enjoying her struggle. “Oh, no, no, no, sweetheart. You asked for this.”

“I DID NOT—” she howled as he found a particularly ticklish spot near her ribs.

“You totally did,” Nick said smugly, dodging her weak attempts to push him away.

Chas was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. “I—CAN’T—”

Nick finally let up, grinning like a victorious villain. Chas collapsed onto the couch, breathless, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

“You’re… the worst,” she panted, glaring at him, though the fondness in her voice betrayed her words.

Nick leaned back smugly. “And yet, you’re still here.”

Chas, regaining her strength, suddenly launched herself at him, trying to tackle him off the couch in revenge. But Nick was faster, grabbing her wrists and pinning her back down with ease.

“Nice try, kid,” he teased, holding her down effortlessly.

Chas groaned dramatically. “Ugh, this is so unfair. You’re, like, built for this. I’m just a fragile little psychology student.”

Nick snorted. “Fragile, my ass. You’ve survived me for this long.”

Chas huffed, pouting. “One day, when you least expect it, I will get my revenge.”

Nick smirked, releasing her wrists and standing up. “Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure.”

As Nick finally eased up on his tickle attack, Chas took a deep breath, pretending to surrender. But just as he was about to gloat, she struck back—by sinking her teeth into his arm like an annoyed cat.

“OW—what the hell?!” Nick yelped, yanking his arm away.

Chas, still half-giggling, looked at him with zero remorse. “That’s what you get!” she said smugly, crossing her arms.

Nick examined the barely-there bite mark with exaggerated horror. “Did you just bite me? Are you part gremlin?”

Chas smirked. “More like a feral kitten. You should know that by now.”

Nick scoffed, shaking his head. “Unbelievable.” Then, with zero warning, he lunged at her again.

Chas shrieked, scrambling to escape, but Nick was faster, pinning her down with ease. “Nope. You do not get to bite and run,” he declared, resuming his merciless tickling.

“AH—STOP! NICK!” she howled, thrashing in laughter.

“You started it,” Nick said smugly, his grip steady as she struggled.

“OKAY, OKAY—I SURRENDER!” Chas gasped between laughs.

Nick finally let up, letting her collapse onto the couch, breathless and defeated. He leaned back, grinning. “That’s what I thought.”

Chas groaned, rubbing her ribs. “I swear, one day I’m gonna get my revenge.”

Nick smirked, stretching lazily. “Yeah? Good luck with that, kitten.”

She stuck her tongue out at him before grabbing a throw pillow and smacking him with it.

Nick just laughed, shaking his head as he pulled the pillow from her hands. “That all you got?”

Chas huffed but couldn’t help grinning. “For now.”

Eventually, their playful war settled, leaving them lying on opposite ends of the couch, catching their breath.

A comfortable silence fell between them, interrupted only by the occasional chuckle as they replayed the ridiculousness of the past few minutes.

As she curled up with her legs tucked under her, Chas glanced at Nick, who had draped an arm over his eyes, still smiling.

She felt it again—that warmth in her chest, that safe, happy feeling she couldn’t quite name.

Nick peeked at her from under his arm. “What?”

Chas shrugged. “Nothing.”

He arched an eyebrow but didn’t press. Instead, he just chuckled again, shaking his head.

“You’re something else, Chas,” he muttered, closing his eyes.

Chas smiled softly to herself, hugging a pillow close.

Yeah. So are you, Nick.

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