Archive of Our Own

Does Jane have a crush on the pretty girl who comes into the diner every Friday night? Maybe.

Does the pretty girl always come into the diner with her boyfriend? Maybe.

Does that change Jane's crush on her? No.

The first time Jane sees the pretty stranger, she's messing around with Belle behind the bar counter. It's incredibly late on a Friday night and she's in the middle of smacking a rolled-up towel at Belle's ass when the bell above the door chimes, indicating somebody's arrival. When she looks up to greet the customers, she nearly chokes on her spit at the beautiful girl that walks in.

Her hair is tied up in a ponytail with loose pieces of hair framing her face. She isn't wearing anything extravagant, but she looks stunning nonetheless; jeans with a tank-top underneath an oversized zip-up sweater that hangs off of her left shoulder. Even the diner's shitty fluorescent lighting isn't able to dim her beauty.

There's a man behind her, too—but Jane is less concerned about him.

The pretty girl, however, is staring at Jane (and Belle) with a less-than-amused expression. Her perfectly-plucked left eyebrow is raised in a 'what-the-hell-are-these-idiots-doing?' look as she walks into the diner.

Jane clears her throat and straightens her back, lowering the towel she was previously smacking Belle's ass with. "Hi. Welcome in—feel free to sit anywhere you'd like."

"Thanks," the guy says.

The girl turns and slides into the nearest booth to the entrance. He follows.

Belle walks past Jane to return to the kitchen and bumps Jane's shoulder as she passes. "Pick your jaw up off the ground."

Jane closes her mouth and her teeth clink audibly. She tosses the towel onto the counter and grabs silverware to setup the table. When she walks around the bar counter, the guy is talking to the girl, who's staring at her phone and scrolling absentmindedly.

"Hello, my name's Jane. I'll be your server for the night," she says as she places a couple bundles of silverware and menus down. She feels elated when the pretty girl looks up from her phone—and less elated that the guy smiles at her. Jane looks between the two of them. A peak professional at work. "Would you two like anything to drink besides water?"

The pretty girl's mouth opens, but the man is the one who speaks first.

"Water's fine," he says with a polite smile. "Thanks."

Jane looks back towards the girl, who seemed like she was going to say something else, but she only looks back down at her phone.

Jane returns her gaze to the guy and nods.

"I'll grab those for you while you two take a look at the menu."

—

"You think they're on a first date?" Belle whispers to Jane as they both peek through the kitchen's pass-through.

Jane makes a face. "At three in the morning?"

The couple sitting at the booth has been here for nearly an hour, but all they ordered besides water was a basket of fries and a single hotdog—both of which were only eaten by the guy. There doesn't even seem to be a lot of conversation, at least not from the pretty girl. She just sits there and looks gorgeous while the man talks and talks and talks. She hardly gives any reaction to him beyond eye-contact every now and then, but even so, her phone is out for the majority of the meal.

"I'm going to go ask if they want dessert," Jane mumbles.

"Try not to gawk too much."

"Shut up," Jane hisses back.

She walks over to the booth with a smile on her face. The pretty girl notices her first before the guy and that, for some reason, makes Jane's smile widen by the tiniest fraction. "How's it going? Do we want dessert?"

She pointedly looks at the girl as she asks the question. Even her eyes are pretty. And the mole on her nose—

"No, I think we're good," the guy's irritating voice interrupts their eye-contact.

Jane looks over to him and if her smile falls a little, nobody but her notices.

"No problem. You pay upfront whenever you're ready. No rush!"

As Jane turns on her heel, she immediately hears the girl stand up from her seat at the booth. The guy scrambles to his feet as well and the three of them walk to the cashier by the front counter together.

Seems like the girl can't wait to get away from this dude.

"Cash or card?" Jane asks as she rings them up.

"Card," the guy says.

Jane can't help the way her eyes keep flicking over to the girl, who looks like she'd rather be anywhere than with this guy. She focuses back on the guy in front of her and nods. "Swipe or tap when the screen tells you."

Once they're all set, the pretty girl is the first one out the door. The guy follows, not looking the least bit bothered by the lack of interest she clearly has in him.

Belle lets out a low whistle, walking over to the cashier counter as she dries her hands with a towel. "She could not give less of a shit about that guy if she tried."

"Yeah, I know," Jane replies. She watches them get into his fancy blue sports-car and drive away, sad that she never even got to hear the girl's voice at all.

Belle hip-checks her lightly. "Let's start brewing fresh coffee before Nalin comes in and beats our asses for forgetting."

"You'd like that though, wouldn't you?" Jane responds.

She immediately gets a dirty wet towel thrown at her face.

Exactly a week later, Jane is returning from the gas station down the street with a couple of energy drinks and snacks for her and Belle when she spots the sleek blue sports-car in the parking lot. It's the only car in the lot aside from Jane's, so it sticks out like a sore thumb.

As she gets to the front door, she sees the couple sitting at the same booth with a very awkward Belle taking their order.

When the bell chimes, all three of them turn towards Jane, who's lowering the hood of her sweater off of her head. She smiles and tries not to tremble under the pretty girl's gaze as she holds up the plastic bag of her gas station haul towards Belle. "I got the goods. Let me take over waiting them, you look like you're going to pass out."

"Thank God," Belle says in relief before grabbing the bag from Jane and disappearing into the kitchen without so much as a farewell to the two customers she'd just been serving.

Jane looks at the couple, her eyes immediately locking onto the girl's. To be polite, she looks over to the guy—but only for a split-second. "Hi again, I'm Jane—and I see Belle already got you your waters. What would you like to eat?"

"Just a hotdog and a basket of fries, please." The man stacks the menus and hands it back to Jane.

Jane glances back at the girl, who's still staring at her. Jane's pretty sure the girl is staring at her more than she's ever done with the guy. Or Jane's just too hopeful.

"Anything for you, miss?"

"No," she says, though her eyebrows twitch upwards at the directed attention.

Jane takes the fact that she finally got to hear her voice as a win, even if she is a little concerned that the girl hasn't ordered food. She nods. "I'll go put that order in for you right now."

She takes off her hoodie on the way back to the kitchen, grabbing her apron off the hooks behind the counter and putting it on.

Belle's already chugging an energy drink when she swings the door open.

"Hot dog and fries," she says as she passes by to put her sweater in the back-office where they put their personal belongings.

"Again?"

"Again." Jane nods. She leans on the doorway of the office, tying her apron behind her back. "Did they just get here?"

"Yeah," Belle answers as she puts the drink down and starts prepping the food. "It's kinda weird that they come so late. It's also kinda weird that she obviously hates the guy and he doesn't seem to care."

Jane agrees, but she's trying not to think about it too hard. "We've had weirder customers. Remember the guy with the parrot who kept trying to sneak it in?"

Belle laughs. "Holy shit, I forgot about him."

—

After serving the customers their food, Jane and Belle linger in the kitchen eating their gas station snacks and talking about nothing.

Jane jolts when she hears a third voice suddenly.

"The bathroom's locked."

When she turns from her seat on the kitchen counter next to the sink that Belle's currently washing dishes out of, she spots the pretty girl ducking her head to peak under the pass-through's top-shelf. Jane hops off of the counter and walks out of the kitchen. She comes face-to-face with the pretty girl, a smile already on her face.

"Yeah, we keep it locked during the night-shifts because we've had a few… incidents," Jane explains as she fetches the key from her apron pocket. "I'll unlock it for you right now."

"Thanks," the girl says.

Jane walks over to the bathrooms at the end of the diner, around the corner from where the entrance (and the girl's presumed-boyfriend) is. They're out-of-sight and out-of-earshot.

Jane unlocks the bathroom and as she turns to look at the girl, she says, "Is this a 'blink twice if you need help' situation?"

The girl furrows her eyebrows in confusion, but doesn't say anything.

Jane winces and wonders if she's crossed a line. "That was a joke. Sort of."

"Do I look like I need help?" The question probably should sting, but the girl doesn't ask it with any attitude. She is genuinely asking if it looks like she needs help.

"Uhm, yeah… a little…?" Jane says convincingly. "It just doesn't seem like you like him very much."

"I don't," the girl says firmly before passing by Jane and going into the bathroom. Jane catches the whiff of her perfume as she walks by, freezing in the spot.

She only snaps out of it when she hears the bathroom door's lock click into place.

Jane, of course, immediately runs back to the kitchen and relays the information to Belle.

Belle scoffs in amusement. "It's gotta be the money, then."

"What?" Jane asks, confused.

"Oh, come on." Belle gestures vaguely towards the parking lot with the sour straw candy she has in her hand. "That car's probably worth more than your student loans times ten."

Jane didn't think about that, but it makes sense.

"I'm sure men with money to burn would love to have a pretty girl to talk to."

Jane hums as a response, feeling queasy but chalking it down to the shitty convenience store candy she'd eaten.

The third time that the couple comes in and the guy is the only one to order any food, Jane prepares a fruit cup on the side. When she serves the food, she pointedly puts the fruit cup on the pretty girl's side of the table.

"We didn't order that," the guy says.

What an astute observation on his part, really—Jane nearly rolls her eyes.

"On the house," Jane says. She smiles at the girl. "We prepped too much earlier today and need to get rid of them before the beginning of the next shift. Let me know if you'd like some more."

It's all bullshit, and Jane hates lying, but she feels her heart warmup as a tiny smile grows on the prettiest lips.

"Thanks," the girl says.

"No problem," Jane manages to get out. She returns to the kitchen before she can make a fool out of herself.

Belle raises an eyebrow at her rushing back in. "You totally have a crush on her."

"Shut up," Jane mutters.

"Oh my God." Belle gasps. "I was just joking, but you totally have a crush on her!"

"I don't even know her," Jane replies defensively.

"That's what a crush is! It's the attraction you get before you start to really like somebody." Belle laughs. "Holy shit. I don't think I've ever seen you like this."

"Like what?" Jane snaps, though she isn't sure she wants to know the answer.

"Like…" Belle gestures towards Jane with both of her hands, wiggling her fingers. "Gross."

"Grow up." Jane rolls her eyes. "Don't you have more dishes to clean?"

"Oh you're in so deep. Don't you have more fruit to cut?"

—

"Jane?"

Initially, Jane thinks it's Belle who called out for her, but Belle's on her smoke-break.

She looks up from her phone to see the pretty girl in front of the counter.

"The bathroom key, please?"

Jane blinks. "You remembered my name."

The pretty girl's eyebrows knit together slightly in disbelief, a smile playing on her lips as she tilts her head. "You've told me it three times now."

"Right," Jane says. She clears her throat and straightens up, slipping her phone into her back pocket as she walks around the counter.

The two of them walk to the bathroom.

Jane bites her lip as she unlocks the door with the key. She doesn't turn around when she says: "You know—It's only fair that I get to know your name, too."

"Oh?" the pretty girl replies. Jane's heart jumps to her throat at the playful tone. She turns and sees slightly narrowed eyes. "Who says I like to play fair?"

Jane's mouth open and closes at least three times as she tries to think of something to say.

The pretty girl lets out a huff of air from her nostrils in amusement, slipping past Jane to enter the bathroom. Their shoulders brush and Jane feels the hook of a pinky-finger around her thumb.

"Thanks for the fruit cup, Jane."

—

"Wait, wait, wait—" Belle holds up her hand to stop Jane from rambling. They're by the kitchen sink as Belle rinses dishes, but her putting her hand up causes water to flick towards Jane. Jane wipes it away as Belle continues, "She was actually flirting with you?"

"Are you actually asking me this or are you in so much disbelief that it sounds like you're asking me?" Jane replies, confused, still blinking dishwater out of her eyes.

"Both?" Belle responds she frowns. "Wait, but she comes here with her boyfriend."

"We don't know for sure if they're dating," Jane says.

"You're coping," Belle deadpans, dropping her hand from the air.

Jane scrunches up her face in annoyance. "And you're obnoxious. Besides I don't think she was flirting. What if she's just like that with everyone?"

"Well she's definitely not like that with him," Belle says as she nods towards the booth.

"True." Jane nibbles on her bottom lip. She feels her stomach drop. "I don't know if they're dating or not—but, damn, she's really pretty."

"Oh, I'm well aware." Belle laughs as she goes back to rinsing the dishes. "Good luck with that."

Jane groans.

By the fourth Friday, Jane knows to expect the pretty girl to ask for the bathroom key, and she looks forward to it.

Belle teases her for being antsy about it, but Jane thinks Belle's just happy to be able to get back at her for all the years Jane's spent teasing her about Nalin and Earn.

"Jane?" the soft voice calls out from the counter.

Thankfully, Belle's on her smoke-break and can't make fun of Jane for how quickly she stands from the back-office's chair to go unlock the bathroom door.

On the way down the hall, Jane nearly trips over her feet when she hears the pretty girl speak.

"You don't have to keep cutting fruit for me, you know?" she says before they even get to the bathroom door.

Jane freezes, still facing away from her.

There's a light giggle. "I can see you cutting it in the kitchen from the booth."

Jane turns with a sheepish smile on her lips. "I felt bad that your boyfriend is the only one who ever eats."

The stranger tenses at the word 'boyfriend'. She frowns. "He's not my boyfriend."

Jane's heart skips a beat—both in joy that he's not her boyfriend and in fear that she's upset her. "Oh. I'm sorry for assuming."

The pretty girl crosses her arms, scanning Jane's face. She taps her finger on her bicep a few times, making Jane feel queasy at how closely she's being examined.

She stops suddenly and tips her head to the side.

"Jane, what time do you get off of work?"

"What? Oh—at five," Jane replies, caught off-guard by the change in subject—and also at hearing her name being said by such a pretty woman.

"So in about two hours?"

"Yes."

"And how old are you?"

Jane blinks. "Twenty-four."

"Oh, same," the pretty girl says. Then she holds out her hand, palm-up. "Okay. Give me your phone."

Jane nearly drops her phone with how quickly she pulls it out of her pocket. She unlocks it and hands it over to the girl, who immediately goes to create a new contact.

When Jane gets the phone back, 'Nano 🐱' is inputted as the name.

"If you aren't too tired, call me," the stranger—Nano—says. She slips her hand into Jane's to grab the key that's been clenched in her grip, moving to unlock the bathroom door herself.

When Jane is able to process her thoughts again, Nano tosses the key back towards her with a smile on her face.

Jane barely manages to catch it as Nano closes the bathroom door behind her.

—

Jane doesn't tell Belle anything about what had just occurred. She thinks she needs to savor the moment (and possible future moments) for herself. Belle will probably overreact and make her way too anxious to call Nano after work.

Nano. What a pretty name for a pretty girl.

She and the guy—whatever his name is—leave the diner after Nano gets back from the bathroom. The last two hours of Jane's shift could not have felt more like a drag. By the time Nalin and Earn get in for the morning shift, Jane's bottom lip has been bitten raw by how anxiously she's been nibbling at it.

Her drive home is spent in silence, which is extremely rare. Jane always has music on—she queues exactly four songs for her drive back to her apartment every time she gets off of work—but she drives home in silence tonight.

She wonders what would happen if Nano doesn't pick up or if she ghosts Jane. How awkward would that be?

Jane sucks her teeth. She has never cared about being awkward before.

Why does she care now?

Because Nano's the prettiest girl she's ever seen? Is that really why?

Okay, yeah. Yeah, it is.

Jane debates on taking a shower, not wanting to keep Nano waiting too long—if Nano was even waiting. She could very well be asleep.

Jane shakes her head. Best not to overthink it. A shower would do her some good.

It'd let her clear her head and wake up a little more.

(Jane proceeds to spend the entire shower overthinking the situation.)

Once she's out of her shower, towel around her shoulders to catch the water droplets falling from her hair, Jane opens her phone to Nano's contact page.

She hits the call button before she can chicken out of it.

The ringtone plays a couple of times before Nano picks up. Jane holds her breath.

"Hello?" Nano's voice is quiet.

"Hey," Jane replies just as softly as Nano had answered. She sits on one of the stools in front of her kitchen island. "It's Jane. Did I wake you?"

"Mmm, no. I was up," Nano replies, which sounds like a lie. "How was the rest of your shift?"

"Boring," Jane answers immediately. "The diner is usually a lot more busy on weekdays. Everyone has better plans on the weekend than to eat there, I think."

"Mmm." Nano stays quiet for a few moments. She lets out a small exhale of breath. "So… the guy…"

"The not-boyfriend?" Jane offers lightly.

"Yes. The not-boyfriend." Nano gives a brief laugh. She sounds so sleepy that Jane's heart swells. "He seriously isn't my boyfriend, Jane."

Jane hums. She's not exactly sure what's happening here or why Nano is so defensive about the guy not being her boyfriend—or why it even matters if Jane thinks that he is.

"He doesn't really seem like your friend, either," Jane says.

She hears Nano sigh.

"I owe him money," is not what Jane was expecting to hear from Nano.

She sits up straighter, startled at the statement. "Owe him money? What? Are you safe? Should we get the police involved?"

"I'm safe—and no, I don't want the police involved," Nano answers. "He only wants me to go out to dinner with him a couple more times to pay off the debt. He's been getting pushy about trying to invite me back to his place, but I've been adamant about not wanting to."

Jane tenses even more. "Makes sense why you seem like you hate him."

Nano scoffs. "Tell me about it."

Jane hears Nano shuffle around, as if she's in bed and is trying to find a more comfortable position.

She cautiously maneuvers the conversation.

"Are you usually up this late?" Jane asks, trying to change the topic in case Nano doesn't want to talk about it.

As much as she is curious about why she owes that guy money, she can ask another night. Maybe when Nano doesn't sound like she's on the verge of passing out.

"No," Nano replies. "I only agreed to go to dinner with him if it was super late so I wouldn't run into anybody I knew, but I sleep early most nights."

"Well, the sun's up," Jane says as she stares out of the window above her kitchen sink. "You going to go to bed?"

"Trying to get rid of me?" Nano asks with a lilt to her voice.

Jane smiles, her stomach fluttering at the playfulness in Nano's tone. "Hardly. But we can also talk during normal hours of the day—if you'd like that."

"I would like that," Nano says.

Jane hopes her sharp inhale isn't picked up on the receiver. She tries to play it cool, but her voice comes out a little squeakier than usual.

"We'll talk at a better time then. Sleep well, Nano."

"Goodnight, Jane. Thanks for calling."

Jane hums and waits for Nano to end the call. She counts to sixteen before Nano ends it.

Jane fights the urge to text Nano when she wakes up, not sure where they stand in terms of labels. Friends? Waiter and customer? Pretty girl and the bathroom-door-unlocker?

Jane instead distracts herself by walking to the nearby grocery store to grab more instant frozen meals and energy drinks. Her mom's been scolding her more than usual for drinking them, but Jane's not sure she can survive completing her art commissions and her graveyard shifts at the diner without them.

As Jane is returning home with her groceries, she spots a tiny orange kitten hanging out in the small gardens of the store's parking lot. She stutters in her steps, nearly walking past it before she hears the tiniest meow come from the creature.

Jane takes a deep breath before putting her bags down, kneeling down to scoop the kitten up into her arms and then gently depositing it into the bag full of her softer items (bread and chips).

"I know just the person to check on you," Jane says quietly as the kitten stares up at her. There's a small cut on its left ear. Jane takes her phone out and snaps a photo of the cat in her groceries. She sends it to Nano.

[To: Nano 🐱]: guess who i just found in the parking lot? [IMAGE ATTACHED]

The 'read' notification pops up almost instantly, making Jane hold her breath as the typing indicator shows up just before Nano sends a text.

[From: Nano 🐱]: OMG.

Jane smiles at the short reply. She carefully picks up the bags, making sure the kitten doesn't topple out of its bread cushion. As she starts her walk back to her apartment, her phone starts to ring in her pocket. Jane shifts both of the grocery bags to one arm so she can pick up her phone, not looking at the contact name before she picks up.

"Hello?" she huffs out. The kitten meows and Jane nearly trips over a bike-stand as she looks to check on it.

"Where's the cat?"

It's Nano.

Jane can't help the laugh she lets out, bright and loud. Nano immediately calling her after seeing the cat photo is too cute.

Once she repositions the bags so the kitten isn't too squished, she keeps walking. "I'm bringing it back to my apartment first, I have groceries I need to put away. It's safe on my loaf of bread right now."

"Can I come see it?"

The smile on Jane's face grows. "I can bring it to you after I put my groceries away?"

"Deal," Nano replies. "I'll text you my address."

"Sounds good," Jane says. She struggles to hold the bags. "I'm going to hang up now before my arm falls off trying to carry my groceries with one arm. I'll see you soon!"

Nano giggles and the noise sends Jane's heart into overdrive. "See you soon."

—

The kitten ends up defecating in Jane's car—which would be a lot worse of a situation if Jane didn't have the foresight to put an old towel under it. When she arrives to Nano's house, she's quick to scoop the kitten up with one hand and bundles the towel up with her other hand. No poop nuggets left behind.

Nano is sitting on her front steps with a smile on her face as Jane pulls into the empty driveway. She's wearing baggy gray yoga pants and a white tank-top, looking as ethereal as ever. It's the first time Jane's seen her hair down and she can only think about how soft it must be.

When Nano spots Jane's struggle, she hurries over to take the kitten from her.

"Careful—she's covered in poop," Jane warns with a wince as she's wary to not let any of said-poop escape from the towel. She looks down at the dirty towel and then back up to Nano. "You got a trash-can?"

Nano laughs, not seeming the least bit disturbed by the situation. She lifts the kitten up in the air, examining her and lifting her tail. She holds the kitten without much care for the feces caked between its paws. For some reason, Jane would've taken her as someone who's more queasy. The fact that she isn't makes her all the more attractive.

"Yes, I have a trash-can, Jane," Nano says. "Come."

They walk into her house and Jane slides off her shoes before she follows Nano further into the kitchen area. Nano gently places the cat in the sink before grabbing an extra trash bag for Jane to discard the towel into. Once the towel situation is handled and smell-proofed in the trash can, the two of them stand in front of the tiny kitten in Nano's sink.

"You said she was in the parking lot?" she says, scooping the kitten up with one hand as she starts running some water into the sink. She temperature checks the water with her finger before putting the rubber-stopper into the drain, letting it fill.

"Yeah. I would've walked right past her if she didn't meow at me. Wait—her? How do you know it's a girl?"

"I checked when we were outside."

"Oh," Jane responds dumbly, so that's what Nano was doing. She nods towards the sink. "Is it bath-time for her?"

"Mhm." Nano nods, turning off the water and placing the kitten inside. She immediately starts meowing for help, but Nano presses her thumb to her forehead, petting and wetting the area. The kitten meows once more, but it's a weak reply. She realizes this is her fate. "I have special shampoo and a flea comb that we can use, but I left it in the bathroom down the hall. Can you grab it?"

"Sure." Jane almost turns to go, but then she pauses. She smiles down at Nano, who looks up at her expectantly albeit confusedly, a slight wrinkle in between her eyebrows. Jane's lips are curved up. "Also: hi."

Nano smiles and shakes her head in playful disbelief at the belated greeting. "Hi, Jane."

Jane bites down on her lower-lip to stop her grin from forming into a full-blown smile. She wonders if Nano knows how much her saying her name makes Jane's stomach flutter.

She turns and heads down the hall to the bathroom that she assumes is by the end of it. When she finds the bathroom, she washes her hands first—trying to get rid of any leftover poop particles on her skin.

Nano had prepared everything on bathroom counter: the shampoo, the comb, and a small towel. Jane grabs all of it.

Returning to the kitchen, Jane spots Nano draining the sink. The little orange kitten is no longer covered in her own feces, which is a plus.

"Here you go, nurse Nano," Jane says as she slides the shampoo and comb over to her. She folds the towel on the counter space next to the sink.

Nano smiles at the nickname. She repositions the kitten in her hand again as she fills the sink up with clean water. She raises an eyebrow up at Jane. "You're not going to help?"

"You're the expert here," Jane replies, lifting her hands up in surrender.

Nano narrows her eyes. "I'll let it slide since she pooped in your car."

Jane laughs. "See? I did my part."

"Uh-huh," Nano replies, unconvinced. There's a smile on her lips as she starts to shampoo the kitten, who begins meowing relentlessly. She continuously squirms out of Nano's grip, making it hard for Nano to comb through her fur.

After watching Nano struggle for a few moments, Jane clears her throat. She pushes her sweater sleeves above her elbows and reaches into the sink to take hold of the wiggly creature, holding her still. "You can comb her now."

"Thanks," Nano says, glancing up at Jane. She glances away just as fast, instead focusing on combing the kitten for fleas.

It's silent between the two of them except for the kitten meowing every now and then. She seems a lot calmer now that Jane's holding her with both hands, and Nano is able to stay concentrated on the task at hand.

"Do you have a cat of your own?" Jane asks into the quiet.

"No, not yet," Nano answers, combing through the kitten's neck one last time. She turns the sink on and starts rinsing her. "My schedule is too busy for a pet at the moment."

"Are you working?"

Nano nods. "Sporadically. I've been landing more photoshoots and sponsors recently, but I'm not always this busy. My agent thinks I should get into acting to keep a more steady income."

"Not keen on the idea?" Jane asks, taking a peek at Nano's side-profile. She spots the frown on her pretty lips.

"I've never thought of it. I'm not sure if I'd be good."

"You can always take classes, yeah?" Nano looks over at her and Jane smiles supportively. "Besides, you've got the looks part of it down already."

Nano raises her eyebrows up. "Are you calling me pretty?"

"You know you're pretty," Jane replies, looking back down at the kitten who's as squeaky clean as she can be. She pretends the tips of her ears aren't burning.

"Sure I do, but I like hearing it from you."

Nano lifts the kitten from the sink and wraps it in the towel she had prepared.

Jane blinks, wondering if she'd heard Nano correctly.

Jane watches Nano bundle the kitten up, not sure what to say to the possible-flirting Nano was doing with her.

Nano focuses on drying the kitten's ears and making sure her eyes are clear of any boogers.

"You never asked me why I owed Dan money," Nano points out randomly. She keeps her eyes on the kitten in front of her.

Jane doesn't like that she knows his name now.

She shrugs. "I figured you'd tell me eventually if you wanted to. I didn't want to pry."

Nano looks up at Jane. "Do you ever think you're too sweet?"

"No, never," Jane replies easily with a smile, making Nano shake her head and smile as well. Jane clears her throat, "But if you'd like to share, I'm all-ears."

Nano lets out a huff of breath. "Let's drop this little one off at the rescue first. It's not too far of a walk."

Jane hums in agreement.

—

It's clear from the moment they walk into the clinic that Nano's a regular there.

They greet her with warm smiles and take the kitten from her without any hassle or extra conversation.

"I believe the leftovers from the previous charity funds can help this one's vaccinations," Nano says as the two of them stand in the examination room with the veterinarian.

"And then some," the veterinarian says with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Nano. You've done so much for them and for us."

Nano seems bashful as she shakes her head. Jane knows she's staring, but she can't not stare at her. How is it fair to be that beautiful and that kind?

"No need to thank me," Nano says politely. "If she's all settled, we'll take our leave."

Nano and Jane say their goodbyes to the little orange kitten.

"Even though you pooped in my car, you were still pretty cute doing it," Jane says quietly to the kitten in her arms. She pets it once more before placing her back down onto the examination table. When she looks over to Nano, Nano is already looking at her with an endeared smile on her face.

"Ready to go?" she asks.

Jane nods, cheeks burning, and they say goodbye to the clinic's staff as they head out.

As they walk down the sidewalk, Jane spots Nano shiver as the wind picks up. Without another word, Jane stops walking and peels off her sweater.

Nano stops walking a step in front of Jane, eyes widening when she turns and sees Jane taking off her sweater. Her widened eyes blink, surprised, as Jane holds the sweater out to her.

"You're cold," Jane states.

"But—"

"Nano."

Nano takes the sweater.

She puts it on and pushes the hood off of her head, immediately fixing her hair and tucking it behind her ear.

"Thanks," Nano whispers. "What if you get cold?"

"I'm practically a furnace!" Jane smiles as they keep walking. "No need to worry about me."

The next time the wind picks up, which is only a few seconds later, Jane trembles like a leaf.

Nano scoffs. "A furnace, huh?"

Jane gives a sheepish smile, opening her mouth to defend herself, but her jaw snaps shut as Nano's hands wrap around Jane's left arm. She pulls Jane closer to her, hugging Jane's arm to her body.

"Better?"

Jane can only manage to hum, hoping she doesn't faint from how fast her heart is beating.

She thinks she might actually pass out when she feels Nano's cheek resting on her upper-arm as they continue their walk.

—

Back at Nano's house, the two of them get settled on the couch. Nano keeps Jane's sweater on, and whether it's because she forgot to return it or is purposefully keeping it on doesn't matter to Jane—seeing Nano in her clothing makes her overwhelmed with joy.

They're sitting next to each other on the couch, with Nano leaning back on the arm rest and her toes touching Jane's thighs.

Jane notices Nano fidgeting anxiously. She hums to get Nano's attention and then sends a small smile her way. "You don't have to tell me anything if you're not comfortable, Nano."

"No, I want to tell you," Nano replies instantly. "I'm just thinking about how to word it."

Jane shrugs. "Go right in—I'm listening."

Nano sits up and clears her throat, nodding. She steels herself.

"Okay. Well, Dan's not my friend and he definitely isn't my boyfriend," Nano starts off. "He was originally just a follower of mine back in high school when I started posting on social media."

Jane listens attentively, nodding along so Nano knows she can keep talking.

"Before I really gained a following, I used to borrow people's money to be able to buy trending fashion items. I was young and stupid, just trying to make money by going viral. I had no grasp on how bad I let it get until it got to the point where I lost all of my friends."

Nano fiddles with the ends of her sleeves as she recalls the story, pointedly avoiding Jane's eyes.

"Dan saw the drama unfolding since it became public on social media and he offered to help. He helped me pay off all the debt and told me it was because he cared. I knew his family was filthy-rich, so I didn't think it'd hurt to take the money. He said I didn't need to pay him back at all, but even back then I knew better than to think he didn't want anything."

Jane worries about how the story progresses to get to the present.

"After I graduated, I started making money as an influencer—getting sponsorships and brand deals, but by that time Dan had dropped off the face of the earth. He stopped texting and his accounts got deleted. I don't know what happened and I haven't asked, but if I were to guess: he got his access to the family wealth pulled out from under him for a while."

Nano takes a deep breath. "I had just signed for this house when he texted me with a new number, asking me to make up for the money he gave me. The timing was awful and I'd spent the majority of my savings for the down-payment."

Jane puts a comforting hand on Nano's knee, patting it. "That's when he offered the dinners?"

"Yes," Nano says. "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't believe he wants only dinners with me. Even though he's been putting a couple thousand towards my debt after each dinner, he's been getting pushier."

The thought makes Jane sick. She squeezes Nano's knee. "How about I give you rides to the diner instead?"

Nano's eyebrows shoot up to her forehead. "What?"

"You said it's only two more dinners? I can drive you to the diner when I start my shift, which is only like an hour before you two usually get there. And then I can drive you home once your dinner's done—I'll just take an extra long lunch break to do it."

"Oh—you're serious."

"Yes," Jane says with a firm nod. "I don't like the idea of him being pushy about getting you back to his place. Especially if he's your ride—I mean, you're basically trapped."

Nano sits in silence for a few breaths. Jane waits patiently.

Nano's lower-lip juts out in a slight pout, eyes blinking slowly at Jane.

"You don't see me differently after I told you that story?"

"What? No, of course not." Jane is baffled that that's what Nano's more concerned about right now. "You were a kid in high school who wanted to be cool and fit in—so what you've made some bad decisions? Clearly you've learned from them or else you wouldn't have been able to buy a house."

Nano looks on the verge of tears.

Jane lifts Nano's legs so she can scoot closer, letting Nano's legs rest on top of her lap as she uses her right hand to pat the top of Nano's head.

Nano makes a face as Jane continues patting her head.

"What am I? A dog?" Nano laughs wetly.

"You do have puppy-dog eyes." Jane lowers her hand to Nano's shoulder instead. "But you have the personality of a really pampered cat."

"I'm taking that as a compliment," Nano mumbles as she shoves Jane lightly.

Jane smiles and bounces back. "You should."

Nano sniffles. Jane squeezes her shoulder.

"Hey. I mean, if it makes you feel any better, I think I can take Dan on in a fight."

This pulls a belly-laugh out of Nano.

Jane sits with the pride of causing such a beautiful noise.

"You? In a fight?" Nano asks. "I can't imagine that."

"I've been in a fight before!"

Nano's eyes widen in shock. "What, seriously? Did you win?"

"I would've, if the teacher didn't pull me off." Jane shrugs, feigning an air of overplayed nonchalance. She drops it with a grin. "I stopped getting bullied after they saw I'd fight back."

"Atta girl." Nano smiles, staring at Jane with a new light in her eyes. Their eye-contact lingers for several seconds too long before Nano looks away. Jane wonders if she's imagining the pink on Nano's cheeks.

Nano leans back against the arm rest and stares up at the ceiling.

"I think I can handle it on my own," she says.

Jane hums. "I'm sure you can, but I'd like to help."

Nano lifts her head. "Why?"

"Because—" Jane starts. She frowns. "I want you to be safe."

Nano deflates a little at the response. Jane doesn't notice. "I am safe."

"Dan seems like a freak, so pardon me if I find that hard to believe," Jane replies with an eye-roll. "At least think about my offer?"

"I will, I will," Nano says reassuringly. She sits up, leaning closer to Jane. "For the record, I think you'd definitely win against him."

Jane laughs, letting her hand slide down from Nano's shoulders to gently grasp her hand instead. "I appreciate the confidence in me."

Nano squeezes Jane's hand back, letting the conversation lull before asking, "Are you working tonight?"

"Yes, but not until later. I do have to go back home soon and keep working on the art commissions I have queued though."

"You're an artist?" Nano asks with an interested smile.

"Aspiring," Jane replies. "Doesn't quite pay all the bills yet, so I'm still working at the diner for now."

"I won't take up more of your time, then." Nano peels herself off of Jane, much to Jane's dismay. She stands from the couch and stretches. "And I'll think about your offer. I can text you on Friday whether I accept or not."

Jane stands, too. She looks down at Nano, who's peering up at her with those beautiful eyes. Jane shrugs nonchalantly.

"You could also text me between now and Friday—not necessarily about my offer."

Nano bites her bottom lip to keep her smile from growing too wide. She raises her eyebrows in consideration. "You're right. I could—and I just might."

The two of them walk to the front door together. Nano watches Jane slip her shoes on and before Jane can say her goodbyes, Nano's on her tippy-toes and wrapping her arms around Jane's shoulders in a hug.

Jane immediately reciprocates, her own arms looping around Nano's waist and pulling her close. Nano's breath hitches and then she relaxes into Jane's arms.

"Thanks for rescuing that cat and for listening to me," Nano mumbles.

"I guess I helped two cats today," Jane jokes.

Nano lightly slaps her arm and leans out of the hug. "I was being serious!"

"Okay, okay," Jane soothes. She pulls Nano back into her embrace. "Thank you for trusting me with everything, Nano."

When they pull away several seconds later, both of them have little smiles on their faces. The butterflies in their stomachs are synchronous, unbeknownst to them.

"Text me when you're home," Nano says.

"Yes, ma'am," Jane replies.

They text every day leading up to Friday. Some days they also call, mostly to talk about a random thing that made them think of each other. One day it was Nano seeing a golden retriever and saying it reminded her of Jane. Another day it was Jane seeing an outfit on Pinterest when she was looking for drawing references that she thought would suit Nano's style. Those calls usually devolve into hour-long conversations about their days.

Nano sends Jane behind-the-scenes photos of some of her shoots and Jane sends Nano the non-NDA work-in-progress art pieces that she has. They get into a rhythm over the week that Jane is scared to mess up by bringing up her previous offer for Friday.

Belle eventually learns about this on their Wednesday-night shift when she sees Jane's phone on the counter with Nano's text-message thread pulled up. Caught red-handed, Jane explains the events from the past week.

"Oh, she's definitely into you," Belle says with a mischievous smile.

Jane snatches her phone back from Belle. "Please don't be weird on Friday when we see her again."

"I won't, I won't." Belle puts her hands up.

Jane knows that's bullshit.

Even so, she's glad that she finally told Belle. It felt weird to hide something from her.

They'd gotten close at the very end of their high school careers and maintained that friendship throughout Jane's college years. Belle was the reason Jane got the diner job in the first place.

Belle blinks innocently at Jane. "So I can't ask her what the hell she sees in you?"

Jane glares at her. "Please be anywhere else besides right next to me."

When Friday finally rolls around, Jane wakes up to a text from Nano that had been sent three hours ago.

[From: Nano 🐱]: Call me when you wake up? 🤍

The little white heart emoji does wicked things to Jane's heartbeat.

She doesn't even get out of bed before she's calling Nano.

Nano picks up almost instantly.

"Hey," she says.

"Hi," Jane replies, before realizing she sounds like she's at death's door and clears her throat. She wills herself to wake up some more. "You wanted me to call?"

"Yeah," Nano's voice is gentle as she lets out a small laugh. "You just woke up, didn't you?"

"Maybe." Jane pulls her blankets up higher. "What did you want to talk about?"

Nano hums. "Well, I have a photo shoot in a couple hours, but I was thinking I could come over afterwards and hang out until you need to go to work?"

Jane's brain reels. "Yeah—yeah, that works. Does this mean you're taking my offer?"

"Yes." Nano can hear the smile in Jane's voice, and it makes her smile as well. She clears her throat. "I already told Dan that I can meet him there. He didn't seem very thrilled about it, but there's nothing he can do."

"Sounds like a plan," Jane says. She closes her eyes, still groggy with sleep. Her words come out slowly. "I hope your shoot goes well."

"Thanks. I'll send pictures."

"Please do," Jane mumbles sleepily.

"Going back to sleep?"

"Maybe."

Nano giggles. "Sleep well. Send me your location when you wake up again and I'll text you when I'm on the way."

"Mmmph," is the sound that Jane responds with.

Nano lets out a breath of amusement and hangs up the call.

Jane, in her dazed happiness, falls back asleep.

—

Jane spends the entire day after she wakes up again tidying her apartment, including doing her laundry that she's been putting off for nearly two weeks. She lights her candle warmers and makes sure that the throw-blankets on the couch are neatly folded. She makes her bed (she never does that) and tries to somewhat organize her desk, putting all of her notebooks and stray pieces of paper in a stack.

When Nano gets there, she has a pink tote-bag on her right shoulder, a brown-paper bag in her left hand, and a smile on her face. She definitely came straight from her photo shoot, if her smoky eyeshadow and heavy eyeliner is any evidence. Her hair is curled, falling freely across her shoulders. She looks unbelievably attractive.

Jane can't help how wide her own smile gets after she opens the door and sees Nano.

"Hi," she breathes out.

"Hi," Nano replies shyly. "Sorry I look like a mess."

Jane moves to the side, holding the door open for Nano. "You don't look like a mess. You look beautiful."

Nano's cheeks go pink as she walks in. "Thanks. Do you mind if I take a shower here?"

Jane closes the door as Nano toes her shoes off. "Not at all. I can grab you an extra towel."

She is so glad she did laundry today.

"I don't know if you ate yet, but I brought an assortment of sushi rolls." Nano places the paper bag on the kitchen island. She turns to Jane, who's right behind her. "I'm assuming you haven't eaten yet."

"What makes you assume that?" Jane asks (Nano is right: she hasn't eaten yet).

"Your apartment looks incredibly clean. Very different from the photos I've seen over the week," Nano notes, playfully smirking.

Dammit. Nano sees right through her.

"You would be right in your assumption," Jane admits. "Do you want to shower before we eat?"

"I don't want to make you wait—here." Nano places her tote-bag on one stool, sits on the middle one, and pulls out the stool next to her for Jane to sit. Before she slides into the seat next to Nano, Jane grabs them some glasses of water.

Nano, in the mean time, starts to open the plastic tops off of the sushi containers that she's taken out of the bag. When Jane sits, Nano has a piece of spicy salmon sushi between her chopsticks. She holds it out to Jane, her other hand underneath to catch it if it falls.

Jane eats the sushi from Nano's chopsticks and hums her thanks.

Nano smiles. "They ordered so much food for us after the shoot."

"You looked amazing in the photos you sent me," Jane says once she finishes chewing. She unwraps her own pair of chopsticks. "I'm glad it went so well."

Nano smiles down at her lap and shakes her head. "It helps that the photographer was so kind. I hope I can do a photo shoot with that team again."

They devolve into casual conversation. You would've never guessed it was only their second time hanging out in-person. Nano is practically sitting sideways on her stool, her knees touching Jane's left thigh as they eat and talk. Whenever Jane makes her laugh, Nano's right hand grabs onto her bicep and Jane's heart jumps up to her throat.

Once the sushi is gone, Jane shows Nano to the bathroom and where the extra towels are. "There's a blow-dryer in the second drawer under the sink."

"Thank you," Nano says quietly. She fiddles with the towel in her hand, seemingly lost in thought. Jane assumes it's because she's worried about the dinner with Dan.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she tries in a gentle tone. That snaps Nano out of it enough for her to look at Jane. "You seem pensive."

"Pensive, really?" Nano asks with a light laugh. She places the towel on the towel rack and leans back against the sink counter.

"Come on, what's up?" Jane says as she leans her shoulder on the doorway.

Nano presses her palms behind her on the sides of the counter. She seems nervous all of a sudden, and it makes Jane nervous in turn.

Nano lets out a deep breath. "I have a work party next Friday. Would you want to come with me?"

"Oh," Jane says, relieved. "I thought you have to have dinner with Dan?"

"I'm planning on making this one the last one. I can pay off the rest of the debt on my own without dipping into my savings," Nano explains. She hesitates. "I can bring a plus one to the party, and I would want it to be you. I know you're working, but—"

"I'll get somebody to cover my shift," Jane says. "Don't worry. I'll go."

The tension in Nano's shoulders immediately drops. "Really?"

"Did you think I was going to say no?" Jane laughs and pushes off of the doorway to walk closer to Nano.

She'd seemed so anxious and it was all over asking Jane to accompany her to a party?

"Sort of," Nano mumbles. She looks up at Jane, who's standing in front of her now, and tilts her head. "Well?"

"Well?" Jane repeats, confused.

"Are you going to hug me or what?" Nano asks.

Jane can't believe how quickly Nano can regain her confidence enough to ask something like that after she'd just looked like she was going to throw up asking Jane to be her plus one.

"You can be a bit of a brat, huh?" Jane pulls Nano in by the waist as Nano's arms reach up around her shoulders.

"I like the term 'princess' better," Nano replies, leaning her body back against the counter and pulling Jane with her. It's a very intimate hug, but Jane stills laughs despite the ruckus that her heart is causing beneath her ribcage.

"That, too."

Nano's turns her head to lay it on Jane's shoulder. "I wanted to hug you when I got here, but I had my hands full."

Jane feels like she's going to melt into a puddle of goo. "I wanted to hug you in the kitchen, but I wasn't sure if it'd be weird to do so randomly."

"You can hug me whenever."

"Okay," Jane whispers.

Nano squeezes Jane's shoulders.

They pull away from the hug slowly, Jane's hands still holding the sides of Nano's waist.

Nano has a glint of mischievousness in her eyes. "We should go shopping for clothes together before the party."

"Oh God," Jane groans playfully.

"It'll be fun," Nano says, lightly slapping Jane's shoulder.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure it will be."

This is probably the time for Jane to pull away completely and leave Nano alone so she can shower, but for some reason she's stuck frozen in this position. With Nano's body beneath her palms and their eyes shifting between each other's, they say nothing for several heartbeats.

Nano licks her lips and presses them in a line as she hums. Jane mirrors the actions subconsciously, making Nano's eyes flick down at her lips.

Their eyes reconnect and they stare at each other for a very long couple of seconds before Nano speaks.

"Jane," she says into the space between them.

"Yes?"

"You're aware that I've been flirting with you, right?"

Jane sputters. "I—Yes? Sort of. I mean, I thought I was just getting my hopes up—so, the answer is more like no. Belle did say that you definitely were flirting with me, but I didn't want to—"

Nano's smile grows wider the longer Jane keeps going. She's simply digging herself into a deeper hole and she shuts her mouth when she realizes this.

Jane closes her eyes out of embarrassment, hoping to disappear.

What she doesn't expect is to feel Nano's lips on her cheek, close to the side of her lips.

Her eyes shoot open and Nano is there in front of her, grinning.

"Well now you know," Nano says with a shy smile. The blush on her cheeks matches the one rising to Jane's ears. She gently pushes Jane's shoulder. "Now get out, I need to shower."

Jane is still processing, though.

Nano had just kissed her.

She feels Nano's body vibrate with the laugh that leaves her, and it's enough to get Jane to take a step back.

She clears her throat.

"That's good to know," she says and rubs the back of her neck. "I'm going to go now—"

As she turns to walk out the bathroom, she runs into the side of the door.

Nano's giggle echoes down the hall as Jane walks to her bedroom with a throbbing forehead.

—

Nano ends up taking a nap in Jane's bed while Jane works on some art pieces at her desk. She looks very cute snuggled up with Jane's stuffed animals—Jane takes a few photos of her on her phone and sets one of them as Nano's contact photo.

When the two of them get to the diner together, Belle pretends to be surprised that Nano arrives with Jane. Jane's not sure that Nano believes the act—Belle is awful at acting—but she's glad that her friend at least tried.

"You can stay back here while you wait for Dan if you don't want to sit at one of the booths," Jane says as she leads Nano to the back-office so they can put their bags down. "The chair isn't very comfortable, unfortunately, but it's nice and quiet."

"I want to sit out there with you."

"You can," Jane says—laughing a little. "I didn't know if you wanted some alone time."

She and Nano walk back out to the front together, where Belle is clearing off dirty dishes off of one of the tables. Nano settles at one of the bar stools while Jane and Belle set off around the diner to tidy things from the previous shift.

Nano and Belle get along well—mostly because they share the interest of teasing Jane.

"I got Jane in trouble a lot at school," Belle says with a chuckle as she sits at the counter with Nano.

Jane scrunches up her nose from across the diner where she's sweeping, stopping mid-sweep to look up. "The teachers hated Belle but they loved me. If anything, I got us out of trouble."

"That's true," Belle concedes with an eye-roll. "Jane and Earn were star students."

"You would've been too if you tried," Jane calls out as she returns to sweeping.

"Yeah, yeah. Story of my life."

Nano smiles at the two's easy-bickering. "Earn is…?"

"Belle's future-lover," Jane answers.

"Shut up," Belle hisses.

Nano raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

Belle makes a face. "Don't listen to Jane. She was definitely dropped as a baby."

Jane goes to dump the dirt in the dustpan into the trashcan before returning to the counter and sitting next to Nano.

She leans her chin on her palm, her elbow on the counter as she stares at Belle on the other side.

"Yeah, Belle—do tell." She wiggles her eyebrows.

"There is nothing to tell." Belle says this, but her entire face has gone red.

In an attempt to not make Belle dislike her for pushing a conversation she doesn't seem like she wants to have, Nano nudges Jane's knee. When Jane looks at her, Nano gives her a pointed stare.

"Jane, be nice."

Jane's mouth opens in exasperation.

The scolding makes Belle feel better almost immediately. She barks out a laugh.

Nano's fingers spread across Jane's knee and she squeezes, appeasing the shocked Jane with a single touch. Jane closes her mouth and crosses her arms.

Nano sends a small smile to Jane.

"Earn is another one of our high-school friends," Jane explains, not exactly taking back her previous words but rather editing them. "She works the shift after us—the morning-rush shift."

"She's also my roommate," Belle supplies. "And don't make that damn joke again, Jane."

Jane pretends to be innocent. "But they were roommates."

Nano giggles. "You know, I could definitely tell you two were close the first time I walked in here."

"Oh, when Jane was smacking my ass?"

"With a towel!" Jane clarifies.

"Yes. That time." Nano says.

"Oh, speaking of Earn—" Jane sits up. "Do you think she'd be okay covering my shift next Friday? I have plans."

Belle raises an eyebrow. She not-so-sneakily glances towards Nano. "Plans? The only time you ever have plans are when they're with me or Earn—or with both me and Earn."

"I have other friends," Jane says, offended.

"Name one," Belle orders.

"What—I mean—" Jane sputters. She gives a side-glance towards Nano before going: "Nano."

Nano nods. "True."

Belle's raised eyebrow twitches upwards even more. "Right. And the plans are… with Nano?"

"Mhm," Jane hums—hoping Belle doesn't push it.

"Okay. I can ask Earn when she comes in the morning about taking your shift," Belle says. Her eyes have narrowed slightly, but she says nothing else.

Jane can tell she's very confused.

Before they can continue talking, Dan walks in.

Belle gives Jane a 'good luck' look and promptly turns around to return to the kitchen, leaving the three of them there.

Jane gets off of the seat, already placing a polite smile on her lips to greet Dan.

"Hi, welcome again," she says as she grabs silverware for them.

Nano slowly walks to their usual booth.

Dan seems less-than-pleased, but he gives a smile and nod to Jane anyway.

"Water, hot dog, and fries?" Jane asks as she pours water for them.

"Just fries is fine," Dan says.

Jane nods. She spares a quick glance towards Nano, who stares directly down at the table in front of her.

"We'll get that out for you right away," Jane replies. She goes back to the kitchen, where Belle is already prepping a hot-dog. "He only wants fries this time."

"I'll eat it then." Belle shrugs. She looks over to Jane. "What are the Friday plans?"

"She has a work party that she wants me to join as her plus one," Jane says.

"Sounds awful, but I'm sure you'd have fun," Belle says. Jane lets out an amused huff.

As she watches Belle continue to cook, she calls out, "Hey, I'm glad you two got along."

"Well, I might be seeing more of her from now on if you two are going to be a thing." Belle finishes cooking the hot dog and checks on the fries. When they don't seem to be done yet, she lowers them back into the oil.

Jane tries not to freak out at the idea of her and Nano being a thing, even if that's the path they seem to be taking.

Belle is unaware of Jane's inner-turmoil as she asks, "So does that mean today's the last late Friday dinner for her and that dude?"

"Yeah. She's going to tell him tonight, that's why I'm her ride home." Jane hadn't told Belle the entire story of Nano's relationship with Dan. She mostly alluded to Dan indeed paying Nano to have dinner with him, but didn't mention that Nano was actually indebted to him. "Hopefully it's the last we see of him."

When Jane returns with the basket of fries, she spots Nano and Dan in a hushed conversation that seems to grow more and more heated. She frowns and continues over, hoping to alleviate some of the tension with her presence being known.

Dan doesn't look at her as she puts the fries down.

"Here you go," Jane says. "Everything okay here?"

The pointed question makes Dan's angry eyes snap over to her. His jaw moves as he nods. "Just fine. Thanks."

When Jane looks over at Nano, Nano gives a subtle nod as well.

Jane clears her throat and backs off. "Enjoy your food. Let me know if you need anything."

Warily, Jane joins Belle back in the kitchen. Belle's already standing in front of the pass-through, peeking under the shelf at the booth. "Seems like they were arguing."

"I didn't manage to catch anything they were saying," Jane says as she stands next to Belle—the two of them essentially on-watch and making sure Dan doesn't do anything to Nano.

After a few more minutes of conversation that seemed to go back-and-forth, Dan stands and storms out of the diner. As soon as his car starts up, he's peeling out of the parking lot and speeding down the road.

Belle goes to shove Jane to go out there, but Jane's already on the move.

"Nano, are you alright?" Jane asks as she gets to the booth, kneeling down to check on Nano.

"I'm fine—" Nano turns to look at Jane, who's still scanning her from head-to-toe. "He's upset that I'm rejecting him. But I sent the last of the money over, so he has nothing to hold against me anymore."

Jane takes Nano's hands in hers. "That's good. Do you want me to drive you home now?"

"No." Nano pouts. "Can I stay here?"

"Yes. Yes, of course you can." Jane caves immediately. She looks at the untouched fries on the table. "Did you want anything else to eat?"

Nano tugs one of her hands free from Jane's grasp so she can cup Jane's cheek. She lightly pinches it. "How about a fruit cup?"

Jane beams, leaning into Nano's palm. "I can get you a fruit cup."

—

By the end of Jane's shift, Nano has set up camp in the back-office. She falls asleep curled on the office chair with Jane's sweater on and the blanket that Belle keeps in the back for when she has her nap times draped across her lap. With how small Nano is, she manages to make the uncomfortable chair look like the best napping spot ever.

Jane takes a couple photos on her phone because Nano looks too cute not to and then wakes her up.

Jane gently shakes her shoulder. "Nano, I just clocked out. We can leave now."

Nano blinks blearily as she gives a couple of nods, not entirely registering Jane's words. Jane laughs quietly. She helps Nano stand up and takes the blanket off of her, folding it and returning it to the shelf that Belle stashes it in.

"Earn said yes to taking my shift on Friday," she says as Nano grabs her bag.

Nano turns and gives Jane an excited smile. "Really?"

Jane hums. "I'm all yours."

As they walk out to Jane's car, Nano's quiet except for the small goodbye she says to Belle.

Opening the passenger door for Nano, Jane ducks her head to look at her in the eyes.

"Everything alright?"

Nano hums, gazing up at Jane. "I'm a little anxious to go back to my house."

Jane frowns. "Oh… Right. Dan knows where you live."

"I don't think he's going to do anything," Nano says—trying to belittle her own concerns, which Jane hates. "I think since everything's so fresh, I feel more anxious than I need to be."

"Do you want to stay over at mine?" Jane asks.

Nano's eyebrows raise, and Jane is quick to go on.

"I don't want you to feel scared to go back to your own home. My door is open to you, if you want it to be."

"Is that really okay with you?" Nano questions.

"Yes." Jane nods. "I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't. Besides, you've already slept in my bed, so it's not like it would be something new."

Nano smiles and leans up quickly to kiss Jane's cheek for the second time in the past twenty-four hours.

"Thanks," she whispers just next to Jane's lips. She ducks to enter the car and Jane stays stun-locked for at least five seconds, the skin of her cheek buzzing where Nano's lips had been.

Nano taps on the window with her knuckle, causing Jane to jump.

She hears Nano laugh from inside the car.

—

When Jane gets out of the shower and returns to her bedroom, Nano is laying sideways in her bed with her phone in front of her face. The bedside lamp is still on, but at its lowest brightness setting.

Hearing Jane's footsteps, Nano puts the phone down and smiles. Jane can see how tired Nano's eyes are.

"I figured you'd be asleep by the time I finished showering," Jane says, going to sit at the edge of the bed near Nano. "How are you feeling?"

"Relieved," Nano answers. She brings the blankets up to her chin. "Still a little worried, but mostly relieved."

"I don't blame you." Jane pats Nano's knee over the blanket. "I came in here to grab one of my pillows, I'm going to sleep on the couch."

Nano sits up. She's in one of Jane's old oversized college tees, her collarbones exposed in the dim lighting, and there's a frown on her face.

"What? No—I can take the couch."

Jane shakes her head. "I'm not letting you take the couch."

"Well—" Nano hesitates. "Why don't we share the bed?"

Jane blinks. "Oh. We could. I didn't know if you'd be comfortable with that…"

Nano pats the left side of the bed. "Come."

Jane huffs out a breath. "Sure. Let me grab some water first and then I'll join you."

As Jane retreats to the kitchen, she feels her own nerves growing. Sharing the bed with Nano wasn't even a thought on her mind until a minute ago, when Nano suggested it.

Jane has no idea if she snores or if she moves a lot in her sleep. She usually cuddles one of her stuffed animals to sleep, but surely she wouldn't do that to Nano.

The anxiety builds.

Maybe they can put a pillow between them?

Jane shakes her head. What a ridiculous idea.

She fills up a glass of water and takes a deep breath.

It'll be fine.

Entering her bedroom again, Nano is sitting up against the headboard. She's scrolling on her phone, as per usual, but locks it immediately and places it face-down on the bedside table when Jane makes her appearance.

"Did you want some water as well? Here." Jane walks to Nano's side of the bed and gives her the glass first. Nano takes it with both of her hands while Jane goes to turn on the fan in the corner of her room.

Nano hands the glass back to Jane, who finishes off the water and places the empty cup on the bedside table. She clicks the small lamp off while she's at it and shuffles over to the side of the bed to climb underneath the blankets. Nano scoots her body lower so she's back to laying down. The two of them settled under the blankets and it's quiet except for the white noise of the fan.

"Thanks for letting me stay," Nano whispers into the darkness.

"You don't need to thank me for that." Jane is laying on her back, eyes open. The tiny LED light on her fan and the moonlight from her windows are the only sources of light. Jane can only really make out shadows and outlines in the dark.

"I have a lot to thank you for." Nano shifts, turning to lay on her side and face Jane.

Jane turns her head towards Nano's direction, but stays laying on her back. "I didn't do anything that I did for you because I wanted something in return, Nano. As long as you're happy and safe, that's all I'd want."

Nano takes a deep, shaky breath. She goes silent.

It makes Jane wonder if she's said something wrong.

"Jane."

"Yes?"

Nano shifts, moving her body forward and using her right hand to reach up and cup Jane's cheek. Jane goes completely still, lips parting in surprise. Nano's thumb finds Jane's lower-lip, running across it slowly. Before Jane can ask what she's doing, Nano leans in, head angled just-so, and places a gentle kiss against Jane's lips.

Jane's eyes close as she tries to savor the moment, but Nano pulls away as quickly as she'd leaned in.

When Jane's eyes flutter open, Nano's staring at her with knitted eyebrows.

"Was that okay?" she asks quietly.

Instead of answering verbally, Jane leans up and recaptures Nano's lips.

Nano, surprised but pleased, lets out a high-pitched hum at the back of her throat that gives Jane the confidence to continue leaning up; until Nano's the one laying down and Jane is the one leaning over her. Jane leans on her right forearm while her left hand grips Nano's waist.

Nano's hand slides up to the back of Jane's nape, her fingers slipping between Jane's hair as their lips detach and reconnect, breaths getting heavier with each passing second.

Jane kisses across Nano's jaw and starts peppering kisses down Nano's neck. Nano arches her back into the sensation, letting Jane's fingers guide her closer and then back down to the bed. Nano's dull nails grip onto Jane's shoulders, a gasp leaving her lips as Jane's teeth scrape the sensitive skin there.

Nano tries to speak, her voice coming out airily. "You know, I didn't suggest sharing the bed because I wanted this—"

"I know," Jane cuts her off and then presses more kisses down to Nano's collarbones.

Nano huffs out a breath of frustration. "For somebody who froze at me kissing her cheek, you're awfully cocky right now."

Jane smiles against Nano's skin. She leans back and wiggles her eyebrows. "I know when to lock in."

Nano rolls her eyes, but there's a smile on her lips as well.

She tugs Jane back down into a kiss where their smiles meld into each other's.

Nano and Jane walk into the event hall hand-in-hand, smiles on their face from the joke Jane had told Nano just outside of the door.

True to her word, Nano had taken Jane to go shopping the day before the party, and they got matching party outfits. Jane's in a white button-up with a dark-red tie that hangs loosely, black slacks to pair with it. Nano's dress is the same color as Jane's tie, and hugs her body tightly.

Nano parades Jane around proudly, introducing Jane to everybody as her partner—not that they've ever had a conversation about that, but Jane's pretty confident that they're on the same page regarding their relationship.

As the night goes on, everybody gets a little more comfortable with each other and it's less formal than it initially started out as. The music gets louder, the drinks get more abundant, and the lights get dimmer.

Jane dances like an idiot and Nano laughs louder than everybody in the room has ever heard her laugh—everybody minus Jane, of course.

The two of them eventually walk out into the main hall to look for the bathrooms.

As Nano waits for Jane to get the bathroom key from the front desk, she smiles down at her feet. After being so high-strung and stressed for the past couple of months, she's glad she met Jane.

Who would've guessed that the kindhearted waitress at the diner would turn into the brightest source of light in Nano's life?

"Got the key," Jane calls out, pulling Nano out from her thoughts. Jane turns her body past Nano to unlock the bathroom.

When Jane unlocks it, Nano walks in first.

As she passes by, she grabs Jane by the tie and pulls her in with her, tossing a teasing smile over her shoulders that Jane returns with a goofy one of her own.

If the party-goers don't see them again for almost forty minutes, nobody mentions it when they return.