Lucas

"Is this suit okay?" My index finger was curled around the hook of the hanger where my dark blue suit was hanging. I was unable to make a decision between the dark blue suit or the light grey one. 

Sparkles sniffed the bottom of the pants and looked up at me with her tongue out, imitating a smile. She approved the outfit.

I ran my hand through her white hair with little black dots all over her body and after getting what she came here for, she happily walked across the bedroom and went over to Nicole's side, sniffing the knee length, tight black dress, that she already had on, and hugged all her curves.

Nicole glanced at me with a sheepish grin before dismissing my question. "You don't need to wear a suit."

"I'm the boyfriend of the published author Nicole Meyers, I do need to look presentable."

Today was Nicole's big day. The day she has been waiting for her whole life, the day her dream was officially not a dream anymore, but a reality.

"You look presentable in whichever clothes you choose." She draped her tanned arms around my neck and kissed my lips. "You could go naked and you'd still look presentable."

"For you."

"I sure hope it's just for me." We both chuckled lightly at her come back before joining our lips once more.

Today was the day that The Missing Gem was going to hit all book stores across the country. More than this being her dream literally coming true, this was also a chance for her to proof herself to everyone out there, the success (or lack of) of this book was going to basically dictate the rest of her career as a published author.

Despite her doubts, her second guessing and all the fear she carries in her heart, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was just the start of her massive career, and I couldn't be any more proud of her.

"The blue one brings out your eyes." She winked at me before going back to the mirror and look at herself once more. "Are Melanie and Lexi there already?"

Of course for today her team managed to host a little event evolving a small reading and a book signing at a bookstore - Frisco Books. The name of the store caused a whole controversy in Nicole's head. Supposedly you can't or shouldn't call San Francisco Frisco but this was an old, timeless bookstore and at the time, that name was very much used and the new owners kept it.

For the Nicole's book presentation, Melanie and Lexi were flying to America again. My sister and my girlfriend had become so close and Mel didn't want to miss this day for the world. 

Of course, Lexi was also more than excited to come back here. When she got the news that we adopted a dog she almost smashed the screen of the iPad she was using to speak with us via Skype with all the excitement.

It was late September, Melanie was working and Lexi had already started school but my sister put a few days off together to come here and talked to my niece's teacher and explained the situation. Obviously, Lexi's constant begging helped a lot. 

"Yes, they just arrived." I said as I showed her the text my sister sent me a few minutes ago indicating that they were already in their seats.

"God, I feel like I won't be able to walk out on that little stage."

Nicole was all ready, she was dressed, she had her make up on and had on the necklace with her name that I had offered her for Christmas. She was pretty much all ready and set to go, with nothing else for her to still do, but still very reluctant to leave the house.

"Don't say that, you'll be great out there." I reassured her before kissing her forehead. "Come on, we gotta go or we'll be late."

After some persuasion, we got in the car and in less than thirty minutes I was already sitting on the front row with Diane and Trevor next to me on the left, and my sister on the right. Lexi insisted that she wanted to sit on my lap, and I gladly let her climb up my legs. She might be getting a little too old for that, but in all honesty, I think she wanted to just because she missed me as much as I missed her, and that was a whole lot.

Nicole was speaking to some members of her team that weren't missing this event on the few minutes before three o'clock, the time that had been set for the presentation. 

Nicole's parents were just a couple of seats away from me, but on the first row was well. Behind us there were some regulars of this book store that wanted to get to know this new writer, and some other friends of Nicole that I hadn't had the chance to meet before.

On the very last row of chairs there was a guy that I could swear on my life it was Matthew Brown.

No, it can't be. 

It sure seemed like him. He wasn't alone, though. There was a girl sitting next to him, the two were engaged in a conversation and there sure seemed to be a lot of intimacy between the two - he had his hand on her thigh, her fingers stoked his chest through the white button up shirt he had on. 

I heard the sound of Nicole's breath on the speakers as she prepared herself to speak and I turned back around to look ahead, to look at her standing proudly on that stage.

"Hello everyone. Thank you so much to all of you for being here today, it means the world to me that you're celebrating this milestone with me." 

Everyone clapped with proud smiles on their faces, and we waited for her to go on. 

I could tell she was nervous by the way her bottom lip was quivering and her fingers were shaking as they touched the pages of her book. 

Rachel didn't know how it happened. All Rachel knew was that she moved across the globe, to London, with a plan. But ended up going back home with the love of her life with her. 

Ryan was the total opposite of her, and Rachel would have never thought that she'd end up falling in love with a person who seemed to be so mean and empty inside, a total opposite to the bubbly, bright and cheery personality that characterized her.

But somehow, they were the missing half of each other's soul. Once they found each other, they could never envision the rest of their lives without one another. 

Nicole read the rest of the page that belonged to the end of the book. When she asked me which part I thought she should read today, I told her she should read the first two pages, but then again what do I know? I'm not the writer, she is.

She scrunched her nose at my answer and I knew just by the look on her face that she had a totally different view on the subject. 

"What do you want to read?" I asked a couple of nights ago while we were getting ready for bed, with emphases on you and want.

She said right away, without stuttering or giving it another thought that she wanted to read some parts of the last pages, of the ending. I thought it was strange and maybe a little bit of a mistake because that'd be giving away the ending, and that way people wouldn't feel the need to buy the book and read it 'cause they'd already know how it ends. But, before I asked her why, she justified her choice to me, saying that by giving away the ending more people would buy and want to read the book, because they'd know exactly what they are going to read and find in the end. They won't risk feeling disappointed. 

"Nicole Meyers will be taking some audience questions now." A short woman with short auburn hair, who was the book store owner, announced after Nicole was done reading. 

A few people hand their hands up in the air, marking their turn to have their questions answered.

The woman handed the mic to a young woman in her early twenties that was seated in the back. 

"Hi, I'm Lindsey. How much preparation was involved to write this story?"

"Hi Lindsey, thank you for your question." Nicole showed the girl in the audience her bright smile before answering. "When I first started writing this story, I was writing it only on my spare time, in my house or in my work breaks. Then my best friend told me I should take a break just to focus on the story and she suggested I go to London and I did, for about three months." She paused to smile and went on. "I also took a few photography lessons. Rachel is a photographer, it's the reason she goes to London, so I thought it'd be good to understand that art and how it all works."

The girl thanked her for the answer and the microphone was passed to someone else.

"Hello Nicole. My name is Jason and I'm a wanna be writer. My question is, what would you say is the best advice for someone like me?"

"Hi Jason!" She gave it a little bit of thought before answering. "I would say, never give up. Even when there's step backs, even in the days where you don't believe in yourself, cause those days exist... Just never give up fighting for what you want."

A couple more questions followed and after she answered them all, Nicole thanked everyone again for being there for her on such a special day. Some people chose to leave right away, but some people (most of them) stayed for some signatures.

The man that looked like Matthew to me, was one of the those people who stuck around, and I couldn't help but notice the tall, blonde woman in his arm. 

Yep, they were definitely dating. I said to myself after I witnessed them pecking each other's lips. 

Lexi let go of my hand and ran to the kids' section of the library with Melanie while I stood in my place next to Diane and Trevor, watching Nicole mingle with everyone. 

"Hey, Diane," She turned her blonde head in my direction. "That guy over there is Matthew, right?" I whispered while nodding to brunette man standing in the back.

She let her gaze wander discretely to where he was and looked back at me with a look of annoyance. "Yes. God, did Nic invite him?" She asked in disbelief. 

"I don't think so." My fingers were nervously brushing against the fabric of the inside of my pants' pockets. "This wasn't an invitation only event, right?"

"Right."

This was a book store, the book presentation was a public event, people didn't really need an invitation to walk inside and sit in the back.

It didn't take long before Nicole was all done and before she joined us. "So, what did you guys think?"

"You were wonderful. I'm so proud of you." With one arm around her shoulder and a smile on my face I leaned down and pressed my lips to her forehead. 

"You were like a rock star out there! I'm so happy that I got to see you make your dream come true." Diane kept one hand with her fingers curled around her small bag and let the other one travel to her back and engulf her in a hug. 

"Thank you guys so much."

Right on que, we heard someone clear their voice right behind us. Of course it was Matthew.

"Matt?" Nicole asked in surprise. Damn it, we should have warned her first before congratulations were in order. "What are you doing here?"

"I was walking by the store the other day and saw the poster announcing your book presentation."

Nicole was unable to form a sentence, she just had her eyes wide open and her mouth still agape. 

Should we leave? I thought. No. If Nicole wants us to leave, she'll let us know.

"Uh, I'm sorry, this is Jennifer, my girlfriend." He introduced the woman that was previously sitting next to him.

"Hi." Nicole said. It was a little awkward between us all, but I wouldn't expect it to be any other way if I'm being honest.

Jennifer waved at Nicole and flashed her a smile after greeting her back. 

"Look, I just wanted to congratulate you on making your dream come true. You deserve it."

"Thank you." 

"I'm sorry if I was intruding."

"No, it's okay." She shrugged while her teeth sank on her bottom lip. "Do you, um... Do you want me to sign your copy?" Nicole was removing the sharpie's cap and popping it back up nervously and repeatedly.

He stood silent for a second before nodding in agreement and handing her his copy of The Missing Gem. 

"I also wanted to tell you, you were right."

When Nicole was done signing her name, her head shot up in attention at his words. He continued. 

"We would never work out. When I met Jennifer, I realized how right we are for each other and how wrong we were." He gestured between the two of them.

"Well, I'm glad. Really." Nicole closed the book and handed him the signed copy, glancing at the blonde, tall woman standing next to Matt and flashing her a smile. "Thank you for coming. I wish you both all the best."

"Thank you, to you and Lucas too." This time he glanced at me. I said nothing but nodded and pursed my lips into a tight line.

"Diane." Matt looked at Nicole's best friend and smiled at her. She forced a smile of her own and waved him goodbye.

When he was out of earshot, we all focused our attention on Nicole, who seemed to be a little shook up about the re-encounter.

"Are you okay?" Diane asked, concern written all over her face. 

"Yes, yes... I'm fine." One look at her and anyone could tell the gears in her head were still turning, trying to make sense of what just happened. 

"Look, we're sorry." Diane grabbed her hand. "We should have warned you earlier, Lucas saw him before."

"No, it's okay. I just wasn't expecting to see him, that's all."

No one was.

A few pictures and selfies later, we all left the bookstore and were headed towards a restaurant downtown to celebrate her achievement. Right after we finished eating, her parents said goodbye and drove back to the hotel where they were staying for tonight before going to Los Angeles tomorrow morning. 

We all planned to go out to a bar and get some drinks and despite Melanie being pretty excited about that idea, she a little six year old depending on her, and she had to sadly decline the offer. 

So, it was just the four of us, drinking and celebrating the night away. Because no matter what unexpected encounters took place today, this was a special day, this was her day, Nicole's day. And we made sure we were going to celebrate it right. 

 * * * 

Author's Note: 

Hi loveliesss! Thoughts on this chapter? Did y'all except Matt to show up? And with Jennifer on his arm? 😳 But I'm SO happy for my girl Nic! She deserves the world and more 💗

As always, please vote, comment and add this book to your reading list or follow me so you won't miss out on any updates! Also, a massive THANK YOU to you all for reading, voting, leaving me comments or messages, you guys are THE BEST! ❤

Attention 🚨 I shared some sneak peeks of the character aesthetics of "The Beginning Of The End" (my upcoming story!) on my IG story and on the Facebook page's story so check those out if you haven't 😉

Xoxo, Mars