Nathan had called me the next day to see how I was doing and to let me know he was flying back to Tree Hill on Thursday night.

"Can I see you when I get back?" he asked.

I thought for a moment before I answered.

"Yeah, it would be good to get together to talk," I replied.

We'd made plans to get together once he got back in town.

~~~

All day Thursday, I was very jittery. It was like I'd been transported back to high school where Nathan Scott had first asked me to tutor him which later led to him asking me on our first date- I hadn't felt worthy and was very skeptical of his motives in the beginning. What would the high school basketball star possibly see in the quiet tutor?

It seemed ridiculous to feel all of these emotions all over again – that overwhelming nervousness and fear of being around someone I had been so comfortable with in the past…..but things were so different now.

It was 'fear of the unknown' that had me in such a state. I didn't know how this whole thing would play out or what would even happen between us. I just know that I have hurt people to get to this point and that's not something that sits well with me at all.

My mind frequently wandered back to Todd- how it had appeared so easy for him to walk away from me. Perhaps it was my ego coming out a bit, but I was a little disappointed that he didn't even try to stay and talk. He just walked away- leaving me to wonder how I could have meant as much to him as he claimed.

I had worked a half day at the restaurant to make up for the fact I'd been pulling 30 hours over the past 48.

I went home to take a short nap before getting ready to meet Nathan but I couldn't fall asleep. I laid in bed, mind racing with thoughts of Nathan and Todd.

I didn't know what I was expecting from Nathan - I didn't think it would be right to just jump back into a relationship with him after a broken engagement to another man that had happened less than a week ago. There was still a part of me that was frightened to let Nathan back in -- a part of me that was sure I would certainly be destroyed this time if things fell apart again.

That's when I thought of it - my eyes flew to the top of my chest of drawers, where Todd's engagement ring sat in its perfect little black velvet box.

I needed to return it to him - it was just a matter of finding the right time...and the right thing to say.

~~~

Nathan's flight was supposed to arrive at Tree Hill at 6:30pm.

I had offered to pick him up but he'd politely declined, saying that his mom was going to pick him up from the airport. Despite her past addictions, Deb had really worked to put her life back together and was making a genuine effort to mend fences with her only son.

Nathan and I had agreed to meet at Karen's Cafe at 7:30.

I got there a little early and sat down to read a newspaper to calm my nerves. My eyes wandered over to the nervous girl trying to balance a tray of coffee cups. She was standing where I had stood throughout my school years, having waited tables at Karen's through high school.

I tried again to concentrate on reading to calm my nerves but I couldn't even comprehend the words on the newspaper page, I was so lost in my thoughts.

I was in my daze until a presence formed over me and a voice spoke gently.

"Hey Hales," I looked up to see Nathan wearing a charcoal gray coat with a scarf. Although I had seen him in a variety of outfits, this one struck me -- gone was the Nathan Scott of the past with his letterman jacket, replaced by a grown man wearing business attire. He'd really grown into the beautiful man standing before me. Now, I just needed to see if his heart had caught up as well.

I smiled up at him, "Hey, Nathan."

Nathan set his bag down and went up to order a drink.

I sat there, reading the same line on the newspaper for the sixth time until I finally put it down -- no use. My attention was completely diverted now.

Nathan had his back turned, looking up at the menu.

I could see two girls who appeared to be in their late teens, standing nearby, blatantly staring at him.

They would whisper and look back, all the while trying to appear as non-chalant as they could if he even turned his head in their direction.

Nathan was completely oblivious to it.

I laughed to myself - the old Nathan seemed to lap up attention from the fairer sex and never saw a shortage of female admirers. It had taken some time for me to get used to when we were dating - I had to admit that I had found myself jealous of a flirtatious cheerleader or basketball fan on more than one occasion.

This new "mature" Nathan that stood at the counter waiting on his drink was completely oblivious to the attention surrounding him. He turned to look over his shoulder at me, his cobalt eyes burning into me. We just stared at each other for a moment until he began to grin. Then, he turned back around where the nervous waitress was pouring him a cup of coffee.

I could hear him thank her politely and leave money on the counter as he turned to walk back over to sit down across from me.

"Hey again," he said with a glint in his eye and a small smile.

I smiled in return, "Hey --"

Then, suddenly, we were on an awkward first date of sorts.

Nathan sat drinking his coffee and I racked my brain for something to talk about other than deep profound life-altering issues that weren't appropriate to discuss amidst the latte crowd.

"So, how was your flight?" I asked.

Nathan looked a bit relieved that I had started a conversation, "it wasn't bad at all. How was your week here? How's work going?"

I went into a story about the restaurant.

"Ya know, I haven't been back there for about a year," Nathan lamented.

"You should come by sometime, I'll make sure you get the chicken parm that you used to like so much."

"Sounds excellent," Nathan said smiling.

We were quiet for another moment until Nathan spoke up.

"I wasn't supposed to say anything but Lucas flew in this evening as well, he wanted to surprise you. That's why I told you that I didn't need a ride from the airport," Nathan explained.

I laughed - Lucas and his attempts at big surprises. "I even talked to him a few days ago and he didn't say anything about it," I said.

"Yeah, he's been wanting to come back for awhile but his editor has been on his case about the manuscript," Nathan said.

"--but Lindsay's his editor, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, so you can understand even more so why he needed to stay to finish the book and keep her happy," Nathan grinned.

I laughed - Lindsay was a sweet girl that Lucas had met a couple of years ago when she edited his first book. They had been together ever since.

"So, I hope you don't mind, but the plan is to head over to my place for a little while. Lucas is going to stay with me while he's in town. He wanted to see you," Nathan said hopefully.

I nodded, "that sounds nice. I would love to catch up with him. Why isn't he staying with Karen?"

Nathan grinned, "He wanted to surprise her and Lilly too. So, he's going to go over there in the morning and surprise them with breakfast."

I smiled to myself as we finished our coffees. Nathan pulled out his cell phone to make a call.

"Hey Luke," he said into his cell phone. "Listen, I am headed home in just a few - yes, Haley is with me. We're at your mom's cafe....no, Haley is in the restroom and has no idea that you are in town," Nathan said, winking at me and flashing a grin.

"Yes, I know its a surprise -- you're a nerd, do you know that?," he said into the phone.

I shook my head and laughed quietly. Lucas would go all out to surprise people - it was endearing though.

"Alright, later bro," Nathan said, still smiling at me.

A moment later, he hung up.

"You ready?...and remember, you have to act surprised - I didn't say a word to you that Lucas was here " he said with a glint in his eye as he helped me into my coat.

"Yeah, I have no clue whatsoever and it will be a huge surprise," I smiled up at him.

He handed me my scarf and brushed my hand with his for a second.

He had the look in his eye that I had seen so many times.

I broke the eye contact and looked down to grab my purse from under the table.

He grinned and opened the door me and we headed out into the crisp, cool night.