“You look stunning in that dress. Are you trying to drive me insane?” Nick said sweetly.

“Stop being silly. Can’t you ever just give a compliment like a normal person? Why do you always have to go there?” Jacky blushed despite herself.

She did look stunning. The low-cut, black dress showed off her supple C-cups and perfectly firm ass. The dress was tight and fitted perfectly—why wouldn’t it? Nick had the tailor make outfits for all three of them for the event. Her long brown hair was neatly tied up in an almost medieval style with dramatic makeup to match. She looked like a completely different person. Nobody could keep their eyes off her but she was completely oblivious to the attention.

Nick looked dapper in his black suit and Adam looked sharp for once too. But he was currently at the bar. He had run there almost as soon as they’d arrived. Things were still weird between him and Jacky since their kiss two nights ago but he was hoping to drink the feeling away. It had become almost unbearable to be at work.

“Am I not allowed to compliment you now? I think that’s unfair.” Nick smiled, slowly reaching over and pushing a strand of hair from her cheek, moving closer to her, his face mere inches away from hers.

It was during this intimate exchange that Adam finally made his way back to the table, or started to. From where he was standing, it very much looked like Nick had finally made a move on his girl and she wasn’t resisting.

Already four whiskeys deep, Adam didn’t bother to wait to see how the play panned out. It was one thing to be rejected, but it was completely another to be forced to be the third wheel while Nick once again walked away with the girl. The story of his life.

He put the empty glass down on the nearest table and stormed off, not even caring that the awards were about to start.

Jacky pulled away, playfully slapping Nick’s chest. He laughed, catching sight of Adam just as he angrily slammed down his glass and stormed off. He knew exactly what had happened and how it had looked but he didn’t bother running after his friend. It was working out perfectly for him. Besides, he was in no mood to watch his friend sulk the whole night. It was an evening for celebrating.

The lights dimmed, signaling the start of the formalities and everyone hurriedly returned to their seats. Everyone except Adam that is.

“Where is he?” Jacky asked, scanning the room.

Nick took out his phone and pretended to read through his messages. “He left. Said he wasn’t feeling too well. I suppose I’m not surprised, he’s been looking a bit off the last few days,” Nick said without so much as blinking an eye. He had always been a smooth liar and felt no shame in changing the details to suit his needs.

“Why didn’t he say goodbye?” Jacky was suspicious but he could see she was equally relieved. Neither of them had addressed the kiss, and the awkwardness had grown.

“You know how Adam is. Guess he’s just in a mood or something,” Nick said, taking another swig of his drink.

“Fair enough.” Jacky smiled, reverting her attention to the stage where an old man in an over-sized suit was running through the nominations on the big screen. This would take another boring half hour to get to the point, during which the waiter made sure to keep refilling their quickly-emptying glasses.

It wouldn’t be until their names were called that Nick would pay attention again to what was being said on stage.

“You won!” Jacky shouted as the clapping around them started. She jumped up with Nick, hugging him jubilantly before he jogged to the stage to receive his award.

“Thanks, everyone, we appreciate this!” Nick exclaimed from the stage, before making his way back to Jacky.

She embraced him happily, beaming with pride, heart racing in excitement!

He grabbed her around the waist, taking a bottle of champagne off the table and walking out of the building.

“Wait, where are we going?” Jacky asked as they ran down the stairs, holding onto his arms so she wouldn’t trip in her high heels. “The awards are still going on!”

“Yeah, but we won! What else is there?!” he spun her around merrily, kissing her openly on the lips before letting her go again to quickly make a call on his phone.

“Who are you calling?” she asked but he didn’t respond, simply shook the bottle of champagne before spilling it all over the sidewalk and taking a big gulp before passing it to her.

“It’s a surprise, we have to celebrate!” he exclaimed, leading her down the steps.

They only made it half way through the bottle before a white limousine pulled up. The driver jumped out and opened the door for them, ushering Jacky inside before she could ask any questions.

“To the airport,” Nick told the driver as he slid in after the goddess in black.

“Yes, Mr. Thomas. Only a pleasure.” He closed the door behind them and pulled away from the hotel.

“You’re mad, Nick. Where are we going?” Jacky was half tipsy, half still on a high from the victory at the awards. For the first time in a while she felt happy, almost light. For a moment, all her worries melted away as they cruised through the city streets towards the airport.

“I told you, it’s a surprise. Stop asking so many questions and just trust me,” he said, smiling as he put his hand on her leg affectionately. She didn’t push him away, just smiled in return.

“You’re not exactly a very trust-worthy source.” She grinned, taking the bottle from him and having another big sip of champagne without even bothering to grab a glass from the bar in the corner.

“Don’t be like that, Jax. You know me better than that. I’m basically harmless, I just talk a big game. Speaking of, let me just send a quick message.” He removed his hand from her leg to type furiously on his phone.

“Where are we going?” she asked again when he put the phone down and smiled at her.

“To Prague my darling, to Prague!”