Back with an update - this chapter felt like a slow one for me but the next chapter is eventful so I will try and get that up this week, as always thanks for your reviews its nice to see people are still reading Naley stories :)

Chapter 23

Haley heard a gentle knock on her door as she finished hanging up the last few pieces of clothing in her wardrobe.

'Come in…' She called out softly.

Nathan opened up her door folding his arms across himself as he leaned on the edge observing her room , it already had her stamp all over it, the thought made him smile.

'Oh hey…' Haley said then, she had expected it to be Lucas…..she couldn't take her eyes off the way his muscular arms crossed over his chest now, his strength so much more apparent, his shoulders much broader. His hair still slightly damp from the shower, he looked so sexy….god he always did but now he just looked so manly. Haley felt her temperature sky rocket…'I…I….thought you weren't home yet..' Haley got out as she focused on hanging up the clothes peeling her eyes away from him.

Nathan smiled at her little fumble; it was comforting to know she wasn't completely immune to him.

It had only been 5 days since she got back and he'd somewhat kept his distance only staying around her when Luke was around but never alone. He wanted to give her some space but it was hard. She was having a similar effect on him, Haley had always been perfect to him but now she was becoming a woman, her legs seemed shapely, her figure much tighter and yet she still held that natural youthful beauty so gracefully- she was so stunning. There she was standing in her little grey cotton shorts and a simple red tank top the fact she dressed the same had a small smile settling over his features.

Nathan didn't really think about it as he walked over to her , she'd just hung up her last piece of clothing and turned from the wardrobe to see him right in front of her. Haley bit her lip a little hesitantly as he came up close and then he pulled her into his arms, his body moulding into hers. 'What's this for?' she said softly as she breathing in his musky scent; all Nathan.

'I've just missed you that's all.'

The pair of them pulled back and Nathan stepped away realising his blatant error. 'I'm sorry…I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable.' He said.

'You couldn't…' Haley whispered as her eyes searched his. God how she missed looking into their depth, she always thought of them when she sat out and looked at the night sky- and there had been many nights like that. 'We were friends before right….' Haley said then.

Nathan tried not to blanch at the comment. 'Yea….' He said reluctantly. 'So our first game of the season is tomorrow I was wondering if you wanted to come.' Nathan said remembering why he came in here in the first place. 'Mouth will be doing coverage on the game and he always like to rope in some company.'

Haley didn't really know what to say she knew he was being kind offering her some comfort knowing she could sit with Mouth while the game was on, he would be perfect company. He wasn't the type of person to pry or judge he would cheer her up. Still, the thought of sitting there for the game…of actually going and being around their whole college world, it was completely unwanted.

'You don't have to Haley it just might be nice for you to get out of this apartment.'

'It's ok I like it here.' She mumbled. 'Besides Lucas told me that café ye always get breakfast on the way to college is looking for staff.'

He didn't really understand what she meant, a job? 'You ready for that Haley?'

Haley just nodded. 'I need to keep busy.' She didn't offer him anything more as she turned back around to finish sorting through her stuff.

He just watched as she moved onto her shoes and began sorting through them like he wasn't even there.

'Ok well I'm going to head to bed. Night Haley.' Nathan said softly.

She glanced up at him. 'Night.' She sent him a hesitant smile.

'That's 9 minutes and 27 seconds.' Lucas mumbled from under the covers as Nathan came back in.

'Your timing me?' Nathan said with an eye roll as he dropped down onto his bed and sighed heavily.

'Well yeah I thought you might try sleep over.'

'Luke it's been 5 days.' Nathan reiterated.

'So did you manage to keep your hands off her?'

'Dammit Luke will you take this seriously? Haley won't come to the game and from the look on her face when I asked her I figure right now here is the last place she wants to be.'

Lucas sighed pulling himself up he flipped over to switch the sidelamp on as he looked at his brother. 'Nate this is affecting all of us but how is Haley going to feel better if we're all going around miserable too, she needs normality, some light-heartedness…..we don't need to add to the heaviness.'

'I know.' Nathan said softly. 'I just don't know what she needs from me, does she need me to push her, leave her alone….do I just sit back and hope she feels better….'

'I think you just need to trust your instinct with this one Nate, it's always been pretty strong when it comes to Haley..'

'In case you haven't noticed trusting my instinct is what messed us up in the first place.' Nathan mumbled.

'No you went against it because you were too much of a pussy.' Lucas jibbed him.

'Luke..' Nathan moaned.

'Just give it time Nate. The most important thing is that she's here with us now I told mom on the phone tonight.'

'You told Karen?' Nathan said softly.

'Yea.' Lucas replied. 'I know we said we'd wait but she knew something was up at the wedding, call it mother's instinct or not she thought Haley was off.'

'What did she say?' Nathan questioned.

'She said to just give her space to heal and find her way and she will you know. She'll find her way.'

Nathan smiled at that, Lucas leaned back over and knocked off the bedside lamp.

'Just don't tell her you've been pining over her all summer.' Lucas said then into the dark room.

'You're a jackass you know that?'

Lucas chuckled. 'I didn't say anything that's not true.'

'I haven't been pining.'

'You have and you know it.

'Says you ordering stuff from clothes over bros online.' Nathan jibbed.

'I wanted to get Haley a gift.'

'How convenient. I can't believe Brooke had to ask you out, you know there's one word to describe you…pansy…owww' Nathan said after a couple of seconds 'Did you actually throw your book at me..'

'Just be quiet or ill kick you back into bed with your girlfriend…'

Nathan threw the book back at him whacking Lucas on his shoulder. 'OW dammit Nathan.'

Meanwhile Haley lay in her bed and couldn't help but smirk as she heard the grumbling coming from their room.

In a weird way she felt like she was living through a moment she'd always wished for.

XXXXX

Lucas stretched as he came out of his room noticing Haley pottering about the kitchen in a pair of light wash denim jeans and a yellow kami top. Haley smiled as she noticed him. 'I take it Karen got you these plants.' She said as she trickled some water over the lovely greenery on their kitchen countertop.

Lucas smiled. 'Why do you think we kept them alive?' He teased.

Haley smiled at that thinking back. 'Remember when she went to that cooking school…'

'Yea me and Keith never killed another plant again.' Lucas joked as they both caught each other's eyes. 'How did you sleep?'

'Good.' Haley said.

Truthfully, sleep had fully evaded her a couple of months back now. The thoughts that would filter into her mind during the earliest hours of the morning were too distressing too warrant a peaceful sleep. She'd always been some form of night owl but before her musings used to create evoking lyrics or potent stories, now her musings just threw her day into the blackness of the night with tiredness.

'So eh I was thinking we could go out for breakfast I'll show you our usual haunt you're going to love it.' Lucas said easily.

'Sure that sounds nice.' Haley said.

'Will meet Nate there.' Lucas said as he patted down his pockets for his wallet.

She didn't want to feel the flutter of her heart but she couldn't numb that reaction either.

It was less than twenty minutes later when they were coming upon the entranceway to the Skyline Diner. Lucas caught Haley glancing at the name. 'It's got an amazing view from the terrace.' He told her.

Haley smiled. 'Like Karen's.'

'Something like that but they serve food upstairs also.' Lucas said.

'So how does Karen feel about you finding a new favourite café?' Haley teased as they stepped inside.

'Second favourite and we brought her here and it's ok.' Lucas joked back as he walked them over to a table by the window.

She noticed him immediately, from behind his shoulders looked even broader as he stood at the countertop, it looked like he had his Nike cap on back to the front which amused her somewhat. He'd changed but it had only drawn her more into him than before even that was even possible. She was more terrified than welcomed by that thought.

She was trying to zone out on the menu when his smooth, husky voice intercepted them. 'Hey..'

Haley glanced up feeling the warm rush consumer her at the sight of him. She smiled not trusting her voice.

'You look ridiculous.' Lucas said then.

Nathan just rolled his eyes.

She certainly didn't think he looked ridiculous. He looked hot. Dammit was it hot in here or what. Her earlier observation had been right, the hat surely was on backwards and from the front he was pulling it off. She could vaguely hear him telling Luke he was just jealous. Nathan was just made for the college boy look and it looked damn good on him.

'Haley can back me up here…' Luas jibbed.

Haley glanced between the two of them, her cheeks were flushing massively and she thanked the heavens above she'd put make up on her face today although it felt like all the flushing had burnt it off. 'It's certainly different.' She replied.

Nathan just quirked his eyebrow almost teasingly. It made her heart skip a beat.

'Lucas is just jealous Hales cause he can't even wear a hat without looking like an aged basketball coach.'

Lucas thumped him in the arm then.

Haley couldn't help but smile at the pair of them, that had been happening a lot lately.

'She seems nice.' Haley said as Katie took their orders. The boys had told her she was the owner, she was young woman in her late thirties with short blonde hair who had moved to Gilmore two years ago.

'She is, I think she would be delighted to have you help out Haley most of her staff are college people who can't work the shifts during the day.' Lucas said.

The boys just smiled as they ate away at their breakfasts. Conversation flowed easily between them then, they chatted about college and lectures and Brooke which was causing everyone to giggle.

'I think it's cute.' Haley said as Nathan poked fun at Lucas for ordering off Brooke's store online. 'And also really cool that Brooke is selling her clothes online.'

'Yea cute.' Nathan goaded Lucas who just squinted annoyed at him.

'Nathan..' Haley admonished easily.

He glanced at her surprised and just smiled.

Lucas chuckled then at the sheepish look on his brothers face and his phone started vibrating on the table then as Brooke's caller id flashed across the screen. Nathan smiled as he went to reach for it and Lucas knocked him away. 'Don't even think about it.' He said as he grabbed the phone and excused himself from the table.

Nathan just chuckled. 'He avoids her sometimes.'

'And what you answer?' Haley quipped.

'Everytime.' Nathan mused.

'Your terrible.' Haley laughed alongside him as they caught each other's eyes. She felt herself being pulled in to the depth and magic almost of his, when she looked at him it's like the darkness she'd seen him in had never been there. And she was surrounded by it. She wondered how that could be.

He seemed better without her.

'Are you guys finished?'

'Eh yea…' Nathan said as he was pulled back to reality.

'How are you Nathan?' The way his name fell from the girl's lips had her tensing. Funny how for months she could feel nothing at all and now she just ached. She didn't want to feel like this. She wanted to be rid of it.

She tortured herself even further though and watched as Nathan rubbed the back of his neck out of a nervous habit. That wasn't good, Haley noted.

'You guys back playing yet?'

'You would know.' He was politely impassive.

Th girl smiled and Haley looked at her. Of course she was blonde and she was pretty. Her voice was annoying though, it was juvenile but Haley didn't care.

She laughed. That too was annoying. 'We start back after you guys so I'm following your lead.' She flirted.

Nathan just smiled stiffly. 'We started back on Wednesday.'

She smiled at him even more if that was possible. 'Good. You boys better make it worth cheering for again although I'd find something worth cheering for if the team doesn't show up.' She teased him.

Haley shifted uncomfortable in her seat. She wasn't allowed feel this pain. He was entitled to move on. It still stung. The girl was a cheerleader, of course she was. And Haley betted she wasn't the type of cheerleader that cheered from the side-lines like she had been, no she was completely different. Completely happy, upbeat, pretty - no baggage. She probably had the perfect family to go with it.

Haley excused herself from the table as she walked over introducing herself to Katie.

Nathan glanced over as Haley went to the counter not half hearing what this girl was saying in his ear as she finally took the plates away. He sighed relived as she went into the back kitchen.

'She try plant one on you?' Lucas jibbed looking at his flushed brother.

'What?'

'Haley did she…'

Nathan crossed his eyes. 'Erika is working here.'

Lucas started chuckling.

'You're a dick you know that.' Nathan gritted out. 'You knew.'

'What of it it's not like anything happened.' Lucas said breezily.

'Yea well she was practically licking my ear while Haley was sitting across from me.'

'Maybe it will make her jealous.' Lucas said. 'Or not she seems fine to me.' Lucas noted as he spotted Haley smiling and chatting away to the owner.

'Don't play games Luke, Haley is hurting.'

'I'm not playing games I didn't even know the bimbo was working here. What does it matter?'

Nathan sighed as he wiped his hand on his jeans.

'You need to chill man.' Lucas said.

'Easy for you to say.' Nathan mumbled as he glanced over at Haley.

'And stop looking at her every 5 seconds.'

Nathan picked up his dirty napkin and threw it at Lucas who just chuckled.

XXXXX

One week later

'Would you like a muffin to go with that?' Haley said as she fixed the lid on top of the take out coffee.

'No that has to stop.' The older man joked.

Haley smiled as she handed over the tray. 'Two coffees no muffins.' She smiled repeating the order back to him.

'Thank you Haley, see you tomorrow.'

'Bye.' She smiled.

'Well you just fit right in here don't you.' The brunette mused as she hopped up onto the high stool.

'Hi Brooke, how's Luke this morning? He is your boyfriend right? ' Haley teased her.

'And still as spunky and sarcastic as ever I see.' Brooke said as she raised her eye.

Haley just smiled. 'It's good to see you.'

'You two girlie. Are you doing better?'

'I am now.' Haley said as she wiped down the counter. 'This helps you know.'

Brooke just nodded. 'Well with both those boys looking out for you I think you'll be ok.'

Haley smiled. 'I'm still getting used to seeing them like that. It's so strange…'

'They've changed each other.'

Haley nodded. She could see it; the little details of those changes were becoming more apparent the more time she spent with them.

Lucas, there was a lightness in his heart that wasn't there before, like his younger brother stole some of that weight off his shoulders and Nathan who once was spiteful of Lucas now was shaped by him, he looked to his older brother for reassurance almost. It was endearing.

'It's what I thought they could be when we were teenagers.' Haley said. 'But I think we reached an age where I never thought it would be possible..'

'You were a big part of it.' Brooke said without a beat.

Haley dropped the wipe to the counter shaking her head, she didn't believe that.

'You didn't see it but they became close after you left. You brought them together.' Brooke said softly. 'So maybe if you hadn't left things wouldn't have ended up like this for them, everything happens for a reason you know…'

Haley just gave her a small smile.

Brooke could sense her hesitance to talk about this topic or more so what it was leading to. Haley and Nathan. Who they once were.

She could see that disconnect separately in each of them. While Nathan had greatly matured and challenged his self-doubt she knew he was still holding on to the loss of Haley, and Haley who'd always believed in herself and in them as a couple she seemed like she had lost her way.

'So you and Nathan as friends…' Brooke prodded sweetly then.

'I'm trying…' Haley said closing her eyes wincing as she realised the words that spilled from her mouth. She opened them then noticing the excitement dancing in Brooke's eyes. Dammit.

'Trying…' Brooke mused.

Oh that look from her was never good.

'I didn't mean….what I meant…'

'Oh I get it Haley that boy has the college look nailed even I thought I was benefitting with the wrong brother there for a while.'

Haley gave Brooke a look.

'Kidding….but looks aside he has matured a lot it's a very attractive quality…'

Haley didn't need to be told that, it felt like her insides were melting around him, the newfound confidence he had in himself wasn't something of ego, it was the kind of growth that came from life experiences, things that could change a person, he was different from the boy that left her dorm room in college almost two years ago now.

She was different too, she felt like she was measuring her downfall against his rise. The immensity of that was enough to scare her away from ever letting her heart go there again. She couldn't.

'Nathan looks like a pretty strong person I mean look at his arms..' Brooke teased as Haley blushed. 'But he was pretty weak inside for a long time, you helped him Haley.'

'I don't know about that.'

'You did.' Brooke promised. 'More than you know. And part of me doesn't want to say anymore on the matter because I hope someday again you'll both open up to each other enough for him to tell you that but I'm also aware that maybe you're feeling a little fragile right now and we've all felt that you know, it's ok to have another person as the source of your strength until you find your way again…'

Haley gave Brooke a reassuring smile. 'Thanks Brooke. I'm really glad your around…' She said honestly.

'Haley James I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.' Brooke quipped and the two girls chuckled.

XXXXX

'See you tomorrow Katie.' Haley said as she slipped off her apron and patted her clothes down. She frowned as she glanced outside noticing Brooke standing there.

'I know I said I was glad to have you around but twice in the one day..' Haley mused as she stepped out.

'There's that sarcasm I love.' Brooke squealed. 'Ok we can work with this.' She said as she observed Haley's outfit, plain black jeans with a white scoop neck top. 'I'm just going to have to do something with that hair.'

'What's wrong with my hair?' Haley wondered.

'Come with me.' Brooke said as she pulled her along to her mini.

'Brooke what's going on?'

'Ok we're both not college girls alright so I need you with me at this party…'

'Party? Brooke there's no way…'

'Haley please…..as Luke's girlfriend now I have to go to these things and I'm going to college here so I need you with me too…besides, you can spy on Nathan..'

'What?...wait….what….' Haley exasperated. 'I don't want to spy on Nathan.'

'Bimbo Erica will be there and don't think I didn't catch the eye rolls you were sending her way all through the breakfast shift.'

This time Haley did roll her eyes.

'See.' Brooke said pointedly.

'Brooke I can't go to a party….'

'Why?'

'I'm just…I can't ok besides can't you just get Nathan to spy on Lucas for you..'

'No. The downside to them two actually becoming brothers is they tell each other everything now. Traitors.' Brooke teased before looking across at Haley. 'Please…if I tell Nathan he's going to tease me for acting like a jealous girlfriend' She pouted.

'Which you are..' Haley countered.

'Oh totally but that's between us. Look you can either sit in your room with your anxiety for a night or come out with it and at least have some distraction.'

'Jee when you put it that way.' Haley flipped.

Brooke smirked. 'See I knew that spunk was still in you.'

'I'm not sure Brooke.'

'Ok come with me if your really not feeling it I'll give you my keys and you can take my car if you want. But I think this might be just what you need.'

XXXXX

'Tell me again why we are doing this..' Haley said to Brooke as the girls squeezed past the realms of alcohol ridden frat boys and their equally floozy girly counterparts. Yes they were crashing a freshers party in some terraced frat house it couldn't scream anymore college. Ironically, the whole sense of normality it brought her was freeing. But that thought was as fleeting as her calm demeanour.

This wasn't good. Her mind tormented her to ask for the car keys not even 5 minutes inside the house but she challenged it. She was stubborn after all even with herself. Haley sighed.

'Because these hoebags hanging off Lucas won't be expecting it'

'You two were non-exclusive for so long it's going to take more than one party for them to get the message.' Haley pointed out as the two girls finally found a reprieve under the stairwell.

'I'm going to let that slide seen as your all sad.' Brooke mused.

Haley just gave her a look.

'Trust me all it will take is one party for them to know he is officially mine.'

'And I thought I was crazy.'

'You know I love that wit.' Brooke mused at her. ''

'So seen as your trying the whole friends thing with Nathan you ever think about meeting someone new?'

Haley glanced at her surprised.

'I mean have you dated since him...I'm just curious and I do tend to get mouthy after one drink…'

'Noted…' Haley smiled uneasily. 'I…' She faltered then. 'There was one guy but it was just a few dates and it never amounted to anything more than that. I wasn't ready…'

'Don't get me wrong you and Nathan…you were well you know…' Brooke said. 'But maybe you need to give yourself a shot at the life you would have had you two not happened.'

XXXXX

'You sure you don't me to put my special in that?' The guy leered beside Haley as she placed her red cup under the water filter.

'I'm good thanks.' She said sarcastically. Of course he didn't get the message.

'If you'd prefer you can taste it on my tongue.'

'Like I said I'm good.' Haley quipped stiffly.

His hands found her waist anyway. It made her skin lurch; in fact, the whole environment now had her skin crawling. She felt it simmering as the night passed and it was reaching the point where it was becoming unbearable for her now. The sense of freeness she felt earlier now contrasted almost mockingly in this suffocating box. Haley tugged herself away feeling another pair of hands latch onto her hips and she shoved and pushed until she made it back to the stairwell. She walked up the stairs sighing in relief at the lack of bodies on the stairwell as the party faded into the background.

Haley knocked on the door noticing it already a jar she stepped inside. She then noticed the guy at the sink. 'Oh I'm sorry…' She fumbled awkwardly turning around.

'Haley?'

The husky timbre to his voice had her insides folding over with warmth. Haley turned. 'Oh hey…' She said almost shyly as she fumbled with the cup in her hands.

He felt like he needed to turn around and splash his face with water again at the sight of her. She was dressed in her fricking work attire and she still looked phenomenal. There was something so classy and sexy about her all the same. Her usually wavy locks were even curlier and more tousled than normal probably from having it in a bun all day, her make up like she wore it to work with the added effect of a red lip immediately had his blood pooling south.

Fuck.

'So…eh you get spilled on or something?' Haley said as she pointed to the damp edges of his hair.

'Oh….eh no….' Nathan said berating himself for staring at her. She'd noticed, he could tell by her little fumble. Way to make her feel uncomfortable Nathan. 'Just need to get away from it that's all.' He said softly.

Haley nodded. 'Yea I hear yea.' She said easily.

He smiled at her words. 'So this feels kind of déjà vu…us meeting in bathrooms at house parties'

She tried to fight against the memories but as always she was powerless when it came to them.

As much as she resisted who they once were she simultaneously found herself leaning into the memory with him here now. It was damaging and freeing all the same but it wasn't who she was anymore. Still it didn't stop her from nodding silently when he asked if he could take her home.

Nathan and Haley walked side by side on the footpath every now and again her arm would brush up against his navy sweater, it felt nice.

She was building up the courage, she wondered if he could sense her hesitation as he was giving her the silence. It felt like an easy silence despite the chaos in her mind.

She knew she needed to see this; it would cement things for her. It would stop her from leaning into the memory of them.

'Nathan have you dated anyone?'

'Where did that come from?' He said softly as he continued walking alongside her.

'It's just something Brooke said…not about you….just about me dating…'

Nathan made a mental note to curse Brooke out of it tomorrow. Meddler. 'Honestly, I haven't….after we….' He faltered then expelling a heavy breath. 'I've just spent a lot of time focusing on myself I guess, adjusting to life here…to all of it.'

'Tell me about it.' Haley said as they walked along.

'Well what do you want to know?' Nathan said as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

'What was it like becoming friends with Luke?'

'It was weird at first….I've never really let anyone in until….' He glanced down at her catching that familiar amber sparkle of her eyes. It still made his heart race. 'You were the only thing we spoke about for a while Haley…..I guess it was a common bond, that and basketball…'

Haley smiled at that. 'It's really nice to watch you two you know…'

Nathan glanced at her again sending her a sheepish smile. It still made her heart race.

'It's everything really.'

'It's even better with you here.' He said softly as they timely came upon the entranceway to their block of apartments. Nathan paused; his hands still stuffed inside his pockets as he shuffled by the doorway. 'I can say that right?'

Haley nodded. 'Of course you can say that.' Her words were fluid, they slipped so easily she realised the resistant girl from the wedding was dwindling away. She had to keep reminding herself who she was now, she wasn't the girl Nathan fell in love with and it was almost like she was tricking him into thinking she still was.

It wouldn't be fair to give him that hope, still she struggled to believe he would want her after all this time.

'I think maybe we should both date.' Those words weren't as fluid. They were frigid and forced but she pushed on trying not to bite her lip out of nervousness as she glanced back up at him. He looked like he was trying to dissolve the meaning behind her words, he always could read her so well. Its why she tore her eyes away from him.

'Why?' He simply asked.

'I can be your friend Nathan but that's it. I mean maybe there is someone you…'

'There isn.t' He said easily.

She tried not to let his words affect her. 'But if there was I want you to be happy, maybe you'd go for it if I wasn't sitting around your apartment I don't know…'

'Do you want to date Haley?'

She shrugged.

He was unsure what this all meant for them, tonight he felt like she was leaning into him and yet she was fighting so damn hard to pull herself away. It didn't even feel like she wanted to pull away, her words contrasted her actions, she was standing so close to him now her evocative scent of gardenia was surrounding him.

He'd hold her close all night if she'd allow him.

He knew what she needed though. She was obviously a little frazzled from the party and now just wasn't the time to flesh their situation out, some light relief was what she needed. 'As long as you don't go all Brooke on me now and show up at parities demanding I kiss other women…'

Her giggle was simultaneously airy and gut wrenching to him. It made him happy and sad all the same. She was always the girl that could create a riptide of emotions in him, it seemingly had intensed into his adult years.

He chuckled. 'What do you say we watch the Hocus Pocus or something and veg out on the couch?'

Nothing sounded more perfect to her. Her smile widened. 'So Lucas got to you?' She teased.

Nathan nodded. 'Last Halloween he blamed you for it you know.'

Haley just shook her head as she stepped closer to him. Nathan felt his nerves spike a little from the close proximity he was sure she didn't even notice how close they actually were. 'He blamed me yet he took the DVD with him to college.'

'I knew all along Hales.'

The nickname flowed from his lips so easily and there she was again battling the new and the old, being with him now made her feel less jaded than she was, it was easily to let it all slip away.

'You ok?' Nathan said as he watched her.

'Yea.' Haley said sending him a reassuring smile.

And she really was more than ok.