11Nick woke up the next morning determined, and on a mission. He didn't have work until later in the afternoon, so he had all morning to find that deli again and pay back what he owed.
He got dressed quickly - and if he put a little more effort into his clothes than usual, it most certainly was not because he wanted to seem more attractive to that hot bartender, most certainly not. He just had a meeting that he needed to look professional for, that was all.
With a look at himself in the mirror, he was out the door and on his way.
It wasn't that hard to find the restaurant again - it seemed as if the taxi driver was extremely familiar with the place.
As he got out of the cab, he gave himself a once over to make sure his hair wasn't stuck out in weird angles, or his shirt wasn't untucked in the back, before walking in.
Jay was in the same place he had been the afternoon before, only instead of a white button-down, he was wearing a tight black t-shirt that may or may not have made Nick think about what Jay would look like naked.
As Nick walked over to the bar, Jay glanced up, grinning when he noticed the brunette.
"Couldn't stay away, old sport?" he asked, winking at the younger man.
"I came here to pay you what I owe you," Nick said firmly, trying to keep his resolve strong.
Jay just shook his head. "That's really not necessary, old sport."
"Oh, really? So the owner just lets you give free meals to just anyone? I don't want to cause trouble!" Nick insisted.
The blonde bartender paused then, looking at him with a bemused expression.
"I'm sorry, old sport. I thought you'd know, but, I am the owner."
Nick paused, the realization sinking in, and he wanted to melt into the floor. Of course Jay was the owner. Jay's Deli. How could he have been so stupid?
Nick tried to laugh it off, but it came out as a strangled moan. "Right. I don't know why I didn't make the connection sooner. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I can't believe how big of a fool I just made of myself. I'm so sorry. I'll just leave," Nick blurted out, trying to stop the words from coming, but they wouldn't stop. He tried to turn around and leave this whole embarrassment behind, but before he could leave with "dignity," Jay called him back.
"Hey, old sport! Stop! Sit down. I'll make you some breakfast."
Very slowly, Nick sat down at the bar in the same spot as before. He vaguely wondered what he was getting himself into.
Jay - the owner - slid a plate of French toast in front of him.
"Please let me pay for this one," pleaded Nick.
"Oh, sure," said Jay, leaning over the counter. Nick blinked, taken aback. "As long as I pay for a movie and dinner tonight," he added.
Nick blushed and tried not to swoon too obviously.
"You sure you, uh - don't need to - y'know, work tonight or anything?" he said nervously, not daring to believe that this stunningly handsome man actually wanted to spend time with him.
Jay just shrugged and gestured vaguely towards the rest of the restaurant. "Nah," he said. "They'll be fine without me."
Nick shoved some French toast into his mouth in order to stop himself from saying anything tactless and/or perverted.
Unintentionally, he let out a slight moan as he ate. Jay's grin grew positively lecherous. Nick was certain he heard a distinct snort come from Klipspringer, who was standing on the opposite side of the bar, wiping down some glasses.
"There's more where that came from," said Jay in a slight whisper. Nick suppressed a full-body shiver.
He suddenly felt a small slip of paper underneath his fingers. He looked down in surprise.
"That's my number," said Jay. "I'll be at your place at 5:30 tonight. Casual dress, no biggie."
It was only several hours after breakfast was finished that Nick finally wondered how Jay knew where he lived.
Come to think of it, thought Nick. I don't think he even knows my name.