Disclosure: I do not own any of the characters :(

Chapter 4: Going Slow

Nathan was relived to see that Haley was coming back to their table, smiling. He was worried that she was so upset that she'd leave.

He stood up and pulled out her chair for her, and then Lucas jumped up after Brooke tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to her chair. Peyton just sat down not caring about that sort of thing.

"Sorry I ran out like that." Haley apologized to everyone.

They reassured her that it was fine and soon they had their food, everyone talking to each other. Nathan took this time to get to know Haley better.

"So…How did you guys all meet?" He asked Haley.

"Well Brooke and Peyton have been friends since Jr. High. In high school they both needed tutoring, and I was their tutor. Then one day we had a game and one of the other cheerleaders came down with the chicken pox at the last minute. So they asked me to take her place and from then on we've all been best friends." Haley explained. "Since then my nickname is tutor-girl. So what about you guys?" She questioned.

"Well I'm half brothers with Lucas. We have the same dad, but different moms. Jake has been our friend since Jr. High." He told Haley, "We all grew up playing basketball."

"How come Lucas opened a club? I heard he's a great player." Haley asked curious.

"He has a heart condition, and can't play." He told Haley.

"Really wow I'd never would've guessed that." Haley said in shock.

"Yeah- but he doesn't like to make a big deal out of it." Nathan told her. Changing the subject he asked, "So why did you leave the tour?" He asked. "After all you're a great singer." He complimented her.

"Thanks. I left the tour because I got tired of it. It was too much hassle, and I couldn't do what I wanted to do- like hang out with my friends." She said.

"What about a boyfriend?" Nathan asked.

"What boyfriend? The last one was on the tour and he didn't want to stay."

"His lose is my gain." He smiled at her putting his arm around her chair, and playing with a strand of her hair.

"You're so sure of yourself aren't you?" Haley teased.

"Of course I am." He smirked, "So my place or yours?" He joked.

"A smile won't make me want you. You have to prove that you can make me forget everything but you first." Haley dared him.

"I can do that." Nathan said, letting his arm drop to his lap then under the table to her bare knee- where the slit in her skirt was, and started to make soft circles along her thigh. Leaning toward her he whispered, "I'm always up for a dare."

"Why do you think I gave you one?" Haley responded, looking him in the eyes.

"Haley, Nathan do you guys want to go get a movie?" Peyton asked the couple.

"Thanks but I'm tired- I think I'll just head home." Haley said turning to Peyton.

"I'll give you a lift." Nathan offered.

"Thanks I appreciate it. Nice to meet you guys- Call me tomorrow Brooke." Haley said getting up.

"Of course I will." Brooke said with a wink, "And I plan on getting all the details."

Haley rolled her eyes, "Good night." She turned to Nathan and asked him if he was ready to go, and they left.

"Where do you live?" He asked her while trying to keep his eyes and hands on the wheel.

"On seventh place." Haley told him.

"Your place is closer then mine." He told her, "Can I ask you question? He asked.

"You just did." She joked, "What is the question?"

"What changed your mind about me?" He questioned her.

"Who says I did?" Haley inquired trying not to laugh at his expression, but failing, "Ok honestly….. My friends, they told me to lighten up and have some fun." Haley explained.

"You don't have fun?" Nathan said a little shocked.

"Not recently- no. Last night at your club was the first time I've been out in a while." She told him

"Why?" He asked confused.

"Remember my ex I told you about? We only broke up a few weeks ago." Haley told him, and then continued when she saw he was even more confused, "The relationship started fast, kind of like us, and I wasn't sure about this."

"Are you sure now?" Nathan asked, "We can take things slow." He offered her.

"I'm sure, but right now I just want to have fun." Haley told him as he entered her garage below her apartment.

"So you want a no strings attached type of thing?" Nathan asked her as they walked to the elevators.

"I guess so- I don't really know for sure yet." Haley honestly told him stepping off the elevators.

"Then taking things slow is the best route until you do know." Nathan said sincerely as they stopped at her door.

"Nathan... I do," Haley started to argue.

"It's ok- really." He reassured her, "I don't mind waiting- especially for someone as hot as you." He smirked, and then he gave her his number, "My cell, you'll probably get the voicemail, because practice starts tomorrow and doesn't end until five, but I will call you back." He promised.

"Ok- thanks I will." Haley told him, "I had a good time tonight." She said, honestly surprised at his reaction.

"Me too. Good night Haley." He said and gave her a kiss good night that lasted pretty long as the heat between them grew. Pulling back her gave her a wink and told her not to loose his number.

"I won't." She told him. As he turned to leave Haley called him, "Do you have any other plans tonight?" She asked him.

"Not really." He answered her a little confused.

"Expect a call around ten tonight, it'll be worthwhile- promise." She said with a wink as she unlocked her door and shut it behind her.

'This has been a surprising night tonight.' Nathan thought to himself as he got in the elevator. 'I need to make sure my phone is charged, and I have a good signal.' He thought as he pulled his cell out and checked it, and the time. 'Only another hour until her call' He thought smiling with anticipation at what they were going to be doing.

While he was thinking about that Haley was in her apartment getting a snack and listening to her messages. There was one was from her parents- wanting her to call. There was one from a student about the song he was working on. The last one was from Brooke telling her not to call till noon tomorrow- Haley laughed when she heard Lucas in the background telling her he had the whip cream ready. After she listened to her messages Haley decided to take a bubble bath to relax before her call to Nathan. She took the cordless phone with her along with Nathans' number.