Chapter Text
“Alright everyone!” Jaida said, turning everyone's attention away from their conversations to the entrance of the breakroom, a girl standing next to her. “We have our new hire here. This is Jackie Cox. I know you guys will make her feel very welcomed here.”
Nicky looked up from her paper coffee cup, stopping her stirring as she focused on the curly haired brunette. She was wearing a jumper that had shoulder pads straight from the 80’s, her bouncy curls matching the style too. Definitely shy with how tight she was holding her office box but could also be nervous.
“She won’t survive a week here.” A tall woman whispered next to Nicky, her pointed eyes honing in on the new girl. “I can already tell she’s too weak for fashion. Look at her.”
“You never know. I think she’ll surprise us.” Nicky responded, smiling as Jackie was already over by them. “Be nice, she’s a cute one.” She tutted before smiling.
“Hi.” Jackie smiled back slightly. “You must be Nicky. I’m told you’re the one showing me my new desk. I’d shake your hand but, yknow..” She shrugged, the contents inside the office box clinking and moving around.
“No matter, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Nicky got up from her spot, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder. “I’ll show you where your desk is. Follow me.”
The pair walked down the carpeted halls, passing by office rooms and people chatting or working. “So,” Jackie started, “how long have you been working for Jaida?”
“Feels like forever.” The blonde chuckled. “I’ve known her for ages but officially, five years. I helped her get this modeling business off the ground and viola, major success. Really she should credit me with half of this place.” She motioned to a wall full of magazine spreads with gorgeous women from cover to cover. “How’d you get roped into this place?”
“Friend of a friend.” Jackie nodded. “Gigi’s known Jaida probably as long as you and when she heard I left my old job she got me an interview. I’m eternally grateful for that.”
“Gigi? Like Miss Goode?” Nicky laughed. “I’m surprised she knows anyone else besides that girlfriend of hers.” Jackie chuckled, her brown eyes sparkling a little which Nicky definitely didn’t notice.
“I know, surprising.” She adjusted her grip on the cardboard box, some of her chunky jewelry clinking together. “Gigi and I got in touch in LA when I was living there for a little while and now I’m here in the big city. It’s every gal’s dream.”
“It’s definitely something, minus all the rats.” Nicky made a face which Jackie smiled at.
“I’ll take rats if it means I’m doing what I love.”
“And that is?” Nicky stopped at a set of desks, leaning against a cubical wall.
“Writing.” Jackie put down her box, taking off the lid and starting to unpack a little. “I’ve loved it since I was a kid, I was the one in grade school who ran the school paper like the Navy when nobody else gave a crap about it.” She adjusted her glasses and Nicky couldn’t help but think of a smaller version of the woman in front of her, same big frame glasses and a wide smile with a little notebook everywhere she went. She must’ve spaced out for a little since when she came back to focus Jackie was looking anywhere but her eyes. “Total nerd behavior.”
“No, it’s not.” Nicky shook her head, making the brunette look up at her from the spot on the floor that held her attention. “I think it’s admirable to know what you’re passionate about and dedicate yourself to it, even if it’s a school paper. We all start somewhere right?” Jackie’s lips curled upwards, smiling genuinely since she made it to the office and nodded.
“I guess that’s one way to look at it. Never thought of it that way.”
“And besides,”Nicky pushed herself off of the cubicle. “Nerds run the world.” She smiled before waving goodbye and walking off, seeing Dame shaking her head from her office. She rolled her pointed eyes with a chuckle.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, feline.”
“It’s just that. A game. Nothing more.”
“We’ll see about that. I’ll be waiting to say I told you so.”
Nicky was sitting at the break table a few weeks later, scrolling on her phone when Jackie came in. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” She shook her head, sitting up a little straighter in her chair. “Nice job on your article on Monday by the way. Jaida will not stop raving about it.”
“Oh it’s nothing.” The brunette waved off, pulling her curls back with a claw clip as she set her lunchbag on the table. “But I’m glad it was received so well and the photos from the shoot were really all anyone was looking at.”
“Not Jaida.” Another voice came from the doorway before coming inside. “I swear she goes through everything with a fine-tooth comb and then a magnifying glass.” Jan sighed, sitting down on the other side of Nicky.
“I mean it’s kinda her job.” Jackie shrugged, popping a chunk of fruit into her mouth. “She is in charge so I’d be concerned if she let mistakes fly.”
“Mistakes I get, but needing twelve million copies of the same shoot is just crazy.”
“That I fear is just Jaida.” Nicky chuckled, sipping her coffee as her long nails tapped against the side of the cup.
“Well she can do that in everyone else's department, just not mine.” Jan huffed, crossing her arms and looking over at Jackie, breaking out into a smile and forgetting what she was upset about. “So you’re really from Canada? How’d you end up here?”
“Honest answer, divorce.” Jackie took a sip from her thermos, not at all reacting to the silence after her answer. “It’s fine, my Dad was just gay.”
“Happens to the best of us.” Nicky shrugged and smiled, Jackie glancing over and laughing a little. Some pink bloomed onto Jackie’s cheek but that could’ve been her blush, not that Nicky noticed.
“But I spent most of my childhood in Canada and then when I was going to college I went to the States and now I bounce back and forth for holidays.”
“That must be so cool, I mean literally with all the snow you get up there too.” Jan rested her hand on her chin, making Nicky bite her lip to keep a chuckle in.
“Oh we would get tons of it growing up.” She nodded, dark curls bouncing even when pulled back. “But now I’m not worried about winter here. You guys don’t even have polar bears to worry about.”
“Polar bears?” Nicky put down her cup. “Now that sounds totally fake.”
“I’m serious.” Jackie shook her head. “We’d have school cancelled some days because there were bear sightings. I’d know, I had to write a whole article about the bear that tore down the playground slide in the school paper.”
Nicky laughed at that, covering her mouth as her giggles echoed through the small breakroom. Jan chuckled with her while Jackie smiled, undoing the clip holding back her hair and shaking them out a little. “Polar bears tearing down slides, god she’s adorable and funny.” She giggled.
“I’ll have you know that it was a roaring success. I was applauded for my reporting.” She said matter of factly, smiling playfully as she packed up her lunch. “And before you ask, no I didn’t write any about moose loose around town.”
“That would’ve really gotten you an award for journalism.” Nicky teased. Jan slapped her arm playfully as Jackie rolled her eyes, smiling though at the fun of it all.
“God that’s so fucking funny.” Jan giggled, fanning her red face. “Geege is going to die hearing this one. Oh, right! Jackie, every month we like to go out as a group. It’s super chill, just us girls at one of the local bars downtown. You should totally come out with us, everyone’s dying to get to know you better.” Jan’s eyes sparkled. “And this bar has karaoke.”
“I swear if you or Crystal try to get Brita and Aiden to duet again like last time..” Nicky groaned, shaking her head as she got up from the table.
“So you’re not going, Miss Doll?” Jan teased.
“I didn’t say that.” The blonde smiled. “Someone needs to actually sing instead of drunk shouting to music. Mademoiselle Doll never says no to a performance.” She grinned, her two front teeth peeking out onto her bottom lip.
“I’ll have to see if I’m free whenever it’s happening.” Jackie nodded, tucking back some of her hair. “If I am, I'll come out.”
“Perfect! We’ll see you then.” Jan left and Jackie did too, sparing a glance back at the blonde before heading back to her cubicle. It was out of the corner of her eye so Nicky couldn’t be sure, but she could’ve sworn she saw a smile on the Canadians lips as she left.
“Are you really going to spend all night like this, feline?”
Nicky looked up from her drink on the bar table, Dame smiling down at her with two shots in her hands. “I’m allowed to have feelings, Dame.”
“Not these mopey ones tonight. We’re celebrating.” She sat on the bar stool next to her, putting a glass in front of her and nudging her arm. The blonde kept her chin rested on her palm, mindlessly swirling the melted ice in her way too pricey cocktail. “God she’s done a number on you.”
“She hasn’t done anything.” Nicky looked over at the tall Parisian.
“And that’s that problem?” She raised a brow. “Have you asked her out?”
“...no.”
“Feline.”
“Don’t even start.” Nicky groaned, laying her head on her hand as Dame laughed, stealing a sip from the abandoned cocktail. “I know it’s stupid.”
“It’s not the smartest thing you’ve done. But y’know, it tracks.”
Nicky flipped her off, downing the shot with a grimace which deepened at the stinging bite of tequila. “Whatever, it’s a workplace thing too which would never work.”
“You know that’s a load of horse shit, at least half of the entire company is dating or fucking each other. What’s holding you back?”
“Because I’m tired of having to be the one going up to someone and saying ‘hi I like you can we fuck now?’ it gets so tiring and I just want someone to want me.”
Dame nodded, her hand coming to her back as her eyes wandered around the club before breaking out into a grin. “So then let’s give the Canadian something she can’t ignore.” Nicky raised a brow, curiosity and slight fear blending inside her as she let Dame take her hand and lead her to the small stage where the rest of their coworkers were.
A synth pop track came over the club while Nicky took the stage, downing another shot as she saw all her friends cheer as she took a microphone. Her eyes scanned through the crowd before finding Jackie, hanging near the back of the group but looking right at her and nowhere else. If her head wasn’t buzzing, Nicky would surely feel how giddy she was seeing those beautiful brown eyes following her. But she was here to perform, and god damn it was she going to.
I love your back, your drooping eyes
Your pouting mouth, your nose.
I guide my hands along your tanned body,
Your slightly rosy cheeks.
I love when we dance like this,
My life by your side,
Your warm breath in my throat.
I breathe in your kisses.
Mouth to mouth.
She ran her hands over her body as she sang, licking her lips after each phrase as her inhibitions flew right out the window. All she could hear was the track of the music behind her, the faint cheering of her friends and her heart pounding in her ears as she never let her eyes pull away from Jackie. Her eyes were bright in the fluorescent lighting, beams of red, pink, green, whatever color came next flew over her face and illuminated her features. Her arched nose, freckles lining her cheeks and her lips just barely parted in a state of shock? Surprise maybe? God her lips looked beautiful, she just wanted to…
The rest of the night was a blur and when Nicky got off stage, she couldn’t find Jackie. Maybe she dreamed of seeing her in the crowd at all. Last call came, Nicky was giggling and leaning against Dame as they made it back to their apartment, falling back onto her bed and letting her eyes close. Her mind filled with images of Jackie, a haze surrounding them and making the memories uncertain and dreamy. But a small part of Nicky hoped the one where she finally felt her lips was real.
With a pounding headache she made it back to the office the next day, grimacing into a cup of black coffee. “I’m never taking that many shots again.”
“We’ll see.” Dame smiled cheekily, Jackie coming into the breakroom and smiling at them both.
“You guys were totally right.” Nicky looked over at the curly brunette, raising a brow briefly. “Last night was a lot of fun. I’ll have to come to more nights out, even if it was a little past my bedtime.” She joked, rubbing the back of her neck before waving goodbye.
Holy fuck.
“So,” Jan swirled the spoon in her mug. “What’s everyone’s plans for New Years?”
“Kam is visiting for a few days.” Dame said casually but Nicky grinned devilishly, nudging her shoulder.
“Oh? Your long distance girlfriend is coming to town for New Years? I hope you two wear protection.”
“Fuck off!” Dame swatted away Nicky’s hand, everyone laughing while the blonde grinned. “Be grateful we’re going back to her hotel after going out instead of the apartment.”
“I love you, Dada.” Nicky cooed, kissing her friends cheek and before getting shoved away playfully.
“Nicky? Your plans?”
“Probably drinking wine in the apartment now that I have it all to myself. I hate New Years anyways.” She shrugged. Jackie smiled, sitting at the corner of the table with her hair pinned back.
“Really? I thought you’d be all about a good party.” Jan tilted her head.
“I’ve gone out enough, I’ll be lucky if I’m even up for the ball drop.”
“Well if you don’t want to spend it alone, you’re more than welcome to come to mine and Geege’s. We got Chester and Nancy matching outfits and they look so cute.” Jan gushed, immediately pulling out her phone and showing it to whoever was nearby.
Nicky chuckled, pouring herself some water when Jackie came next to her. “Jesus fuck,” she mumbled, nearly dropping her cup. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.” Jackie half smiled. “So you’re not a fan of New Years?”
“I used to be. But all I really get is a headache and no kiss which is really all that comes with the holiday.” She sipped from her cup. “What about you? Plans?”
“Probably curling up with my cat and watching the ball drop. Same as you.”
“You have a cat though, that makes it ten times better.” Nicky smiled, going to reach for something but her fingers brushed against Jackie's. Her mind went blank, fingers resting against her soft, tan skin and god she was so warm. They pulled away, looking at each other before awkwardly chuckling. “Sorry.”
“No no, it’s alright.” She shook her head. “I was the one in the way, here.” She handed her a lid, a pink coming in on her cheeks and making her look even more beautiful. She was transfixed on the Canadian, wanting nothing more to swim in her eyes and lay forever on her skin.
“Come over.” Nicky said quietly, not even really registering what she said.
“What?”
“C-come over.” Nicky blinked, smiling to cover up her falter. “We’re both alone for New Years so why don’t we be alone.. together?”
“Alone together?” Jackie raised a brow, a small smile creeping up onto her lips. “At your place?”
“Yeah. It’ll just be the two of us that’s plenty enough for a party. I’ve got champagne and we could order in food or just eat snacks. Whatever you’d like.” Seconds passed like hours as the blonde stood there, watching Jackie as her lips started to move but the words were going infinitely slower to her ear.
“Okay, I’ll come over. Is 8 alright? I have to feed Nimbus or else he’ll tear up my apartment.”
“8 is great.” Nicky nodded, Jackie chuckling softly. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you then.”
Jackie barely made it out of the room before Dame waggled her brows at Nicky. “You better use protection too. Don’t be too quick.”