Life had pulled the two pals in different directions Lucas to Journalism and Haley to music and motherhood. Since circumstances usually didn't allow them to be in the same place at once the two planned a graduation weekend. Lucas flew Haley over and both spilt the cost of a penthouse suite overlooking the city.
The view floored Haley because as soon as she entered the suite all she could see were sky scrapers. The large panaramic windows were not for those into privacy as they exposed all the goings on in the room. This was more a small house than a rented room she thought to herself as she placed her bags on the black marble flooring underneath her.
She untied her espadrilles at the door and walked barefoot over to one of the windows that surrounded her. It was Lucas who had booked the room this was her fist time seeing it so she didn't realize he would go all out. Haley touched the empire state bulding through the glass and smiled before running back to retrieve her cell.
Once she did she reclaimed her spot as she dialed Nathan's number "I'm here and safe this place is gorgeous... I mean wow your brother... no he's not here yet ... ok I'll tell him. Kiss Jordan for me and tell him I love him and that mommy will be home in two days .. alright you too bye.
She closed her phone and threw it on the lush white sectional and made a note to herself to check out the rooms later. Haley doubted that one would be better than the other since everything seemed to be first class here. Soon she became lost in her thoughts. She hadn't seen Lucas since Jordan's birthday and so she was excited. He had a new girlfriend and she was dying to know everything about her and how they met.
Anxiously Haley began fidddling with the hem of her red and white strawberry colored sundress when the door opened. She turned to see Lucas standing there a black bag slung over his shoulder wearing khaki colored cargo shorts, a fresh hair cut ,white tee and sandals.
Haley knew he was going to affect her but she was totally unprepared for how he did.
"Hey you! what are you waiting for get over here" Haley said with a smile on her lips. The tall tanned blonde dropped his bag and obeyed opening his arms and enveloping her into a sweeping bear hug once he got to her. All she could feel was air as her feet dangled below her before he set her back on the floor.
"I didn't realize how much I missed seeing you until now" Lucas said gazing down into her hazel eyes. "Me too" she replied vaguley disturbed by how easily he read her thoughts. "So what do you think of the place? It's something isn't it? I know it's not your style but..." Lucas started before she cut him off "you're right it's not what I had in mind but I still love it ...and this view it's amazing!Thank you " she said turning back to the window and touching it softly.
"You're welcome I'll pass it along to Dani since she's the one who got the room for us. There's a discount for employees " He stated moving to stand beside her. "Oh is that the name of the woman who took my place?" Haley said turning slightly her brow arched questioningly. "No because no one could ever take your place Hales. You know that so stop fishing" He said turning away from the window to face her with a disarming smile.
This brought a slight blush to her cheeks because she knew he was right. "Ok so tell me more about this person that I should be ever so thankful to"Haley said walking over to the couch and sitting down. "I will over dinner" Lucas replied walking over to the staircase in the center of the room." wait! I didn't get here that long before you I'm still a little jet lagged" Haley called out not wanting to leave the room.
"Alright room service it is" Lucas said switching back before making his way over to the couch. "we wouldn't want to waste that view you were talking about would we? "
Haley watched him intently pacing the floor with the phone to his ear while he placed their order. After a few minutes he came to sit beside her placing the cordeless phone on the charger on one of the endtables near the couch."Ok since we're talking about me over dinner let's talk about you now" Lucas said as he sat down pulling her legs into his lap.
Haley knew that he'd bring it up eventually but she didn't think it would be this soon. "You already know everything about me so ..." Haley said trailing off hoping to avoid his question and distract him. "Haley " he said with an edge in his tone that was serious. "We've been separated six months and there's no reconciliation in sight" she said evading Lucas's questioning gaze.
"What happened to you guys Hales?" He asked sympathetically touching her knee.
"Honestly? I couldn't tell you because it wasn't just one thing or moment it was kind of gradual you know?" Haley asked finally returning his stare. "I still love him that hasn't changed, and part of me always will but we haven't been in love for a while."
Haley saw the wheels turning in his head as Lucas sat brows furrowed nodding trying to process the meaning in her words. She knew he was an optimistst when it came to her and Nathan's relationship but she couldn't help but think of how happy he woud've been if this had happened six years ago.
Now She felt as if she were explaining it her son about it all over again."We did it for Jordan because we love and respect our family enough not to end up like Deb and Dan. Nathan will always have the scars from that and we'd rather do this now before we let anything like that happen to jordan because of us." Haley explained finally seeing acceptance fill his face.
"I'm sorry" Lucas whispered quietly pulling her closer and almost into his lap. "Me too" she replied softly lacing an arm through his and resting her chin against his shoulder. Haley closed her eyes as she let his emotions pass through her. It had effected her before but not in the way that it did now because telling him made it final.
Haley could feel his breath on her face as his head rested against hers and his hand on her leg as he rubbed it absently trying to console her. This made her want to run because she wasn't sure what she was actually feeling at the moment .
Soon she felt the soft pressure of his lips on her cheek and opened her eyes. His face was open and caring as he wiped a tear from her face a gesture he did many times before. She smiled at the gesture and returned it running a hand against his face. "This is classic Luke" she thought to herself "but this is not me".
Suddenly there was a knock at the door letting them know that room service had arrived.
