Back with a Sunday night update 😊 thanks guys for your reviews so far I love reading your thoughts. Few nice moments between Nathan and Haley in this update, as you can see things are building ;)
Chapter 4
'Americano, 1 shot, no milk…' Haley says as she leaves the coffee cup down on the table next to the designs.
Nathan glances up from his spread of drawings, the surprise evident on his face.
Haley just smiles meekly at him. 'You worked through your elevenses so…' She shrugs.
'You didn't have to…' He tells her with an equally tepid smile of his own.
'It's just coffee.' She relays the very same words he'd said to her not so long ago. 'Just don't make it a habit..' She teases. 'I can barely manage to carry my own without spilling it..'
'As I've witnessed.' Nathan muses with that innate sideways smirk of his.
'You gonna take a break today?'
'I am now talking to you.' He tells her as he takes a sip from his own Americano. He's still grinning at her too.
Damn that smirk anyway, Haley figures. It's most definitely his ride me smirk; it gives him an air of confidence that he is surprisingly sometimes lacking.
'I'm serious you've been crouched over that desk since 7.30..' Haley says.
'Are you my assistant or my adviser?' He teases her amicably.
'Whatever you need..' Haley smiles as she drops a realm of sheets onto his desk. 'However need signatures…' She tells him. She's simply beautiful as she stands before him, sipping away on her latté, the golden hue of her hair creates a sultry harmony against the silk black blouse she has on and the way that royal blue skirt skims her figure showcasing her delicate curves….good grief sharing this space is as pleasing as it is insufferable.
'Where did you learn to draw like that?' Haley comments as she peruses his designs.
'College.' Nathan says shifting in his chair as he signs the forms, his legs are under the desk but he feels like his arousal could be painfully obvious from the way she's leaning across looking at his work now. He swallows hard. He's being ridiculous, this situation is ridiculous. Just because a woman smells good and wears a tight skirt he's turned on.
It's more than that though.
Whatever it is he doesn't want to lend it much attention, he knows from experience horny Nathan's brain short circuits to one thing and one thing only, there's no space for rationality and with Haley he needs to be in a constant state of rational thinking.
He feels like he could lose his will at any given moment in her company and make a complete and utter fool of himself by coming onto her. He's done it once before and that didn't entirely work in his favour.
He knows she putting her trust in him at work, their relationship is delicate at best and he can't risk ruining it for the sake of his dick. Quite literally.
He smirks at his own thoughts. Has he really analysed this much over a fucking hard on? At least that got rid of the problem. He's chuckling now and Haley is given him an insane look.
'Ok I think my crazy has worn off on you..' Haley says giving him a look.
Nathan just shakes his head ruefully. 'I haven't started rambling to myself have I?'
'No but I think laughing to yourself is worse..'
'What can I say you make me laugh Hales..'
She's not sure when or how it happened but someday in the period of time they've been working in this space he began shortening her name like so. Now that she hears it, it makes sense and funny enough it's not a nickname she acquired until him. Most likely because she's being known as baby James her whole life.
'Haha…' Haley deadpans knowing she has no ground to stand on with the laughing comment. Grace is not her middle name and Nathan has already been privy to plentiful near falls and coffee spills.
'So you really honed that skill in college?' She ponders unwilling to give him any further reason to recount her not so graceful moments.
'Not exactly.' He sits up straighter passing the forms back over to her. 'My uncle eh my mum's brother…he's an architect.' Nathan says as he glances at her 'I'd go up to visit him when I was a kid and he was always showing me these designs of buildings he made. I was like 9 years old.' Nathan says. 'So clearly I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever see.' He says making air quotations at his lame choice of words.
Haley smiles. 'So was it what you wanted since then?' It seems like a natural follow up question to such a tale but watching its initial impact she can practically see him visibly cower away from it. He glances down from her his gaze once again boring into the details of his drawings as he speaks. 'Kind of. It was complicated you know. I mean as a kid the decision is easy but executing it is a different story…' Something in his tone changes with that admission, the executing seemingly anything but hopeful. It feels darker somehow.
'My dad worked as an architect his whole life.' Haley says softly with a fond smile, her words breaking him from his own internal discord. He looks back up noticing her smile doesn't quiet reach her eyes.
'So mum used to tease me about how all the other girls were playing with the doll houses while I was building them..'
Nathan smiles at that unable to take his eyes off her, he's hanging on every piece of herself she gives to him, he's floating on every word that takes him away from his own drowning.
'You know what I realised though…' Haley says rhetorically as she meets his gaze. 'My dad's day to day work was client meetings, phonecalls, more meetings, further consulting with clients…he was accomplished I guess but I always knew I wanted to play a bigger part in the design process and yea that's kind of got me to where I am..'
'So is being here part of your AWE?' Nathan asks her then.
'Yes and no…' She tells him causing him to look at her curiously once more 'When my dad was ill I deferred my final year of my graduate studies., I just…. it got too much you know..' She admits quietly and he nods his understanding, there's a depth to his expansive blue eyes that has her feeling comforted. He's showing her it's ok without even saying it. A delicate balance on the pendulum grief is comforting and pity but it's different with him. He's not in a battle of either superseding. It just is with him, it's the kind of solace that has escaped her in the company of others since her father passed away.
'So you being here…' Nathan prods
'Quinn told me they needed someone at front of desk here and it just felt right. I could be close to family and work for a while, gain some experience without feeling like a complete failure…'
'You're not a failure Haley.' Nathan assures her; eyes sparking with his resolve for her to feel that, to understand it. 'In fact what you did is actually pretty gutsy making a decision like that. I'm sure it was difficult choosing to uproot your life in the face of your grief. Not many people would do that.. '
Haley nods feeling the familiar swell of grief inside of her. It's in moments like this it still feels so raw and so fresh.
'I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you..'
'You didn't. You couldn't' She tells him softly meeting his eyes.
'So what were you studying?'
'Interior architecture and design in Yale…'
Nathan whistles lowly with an impressive smirk. 'Ivy league huh…'
Haley just rolls her eyes playfully. 'Yea I try not to let it go to my head…'
He just chuckles finding himself even more enamoured with this quirky yet sophisticated, intelligent yet modest beautiful woman in front of him. 'You should let it go to your head every now and again..' He says giving her a pointed look.
She can feel herself blushing and takes a sip of her latte in an attempt to hide the colouring of her cheeks.
He noticed nonetheless and smiles, he likes that he can affect her in that way. 'You know Haley we could clash a little in here you and I…' He says with a glint in his eyes. 'I studied structural engineering and architecture in college.' He tells her 'So I can definitely appreciate the design of a building but I'm all about the solid fundamentals.'
She can't help but chuckle at his wording. 'Well I suppose as part of our roles we're supposed to work together on both.' She continues his line of teasing; her soul craves the opportunity for lightness that he gives her now.
'You saying we can do that, work together?' He's teasing her but there's caution shimmering in his blue orbs.
'Yea, we can…' Haley replies watching as he smiles at her rather shyly this time before glancing away.
It's that very smile she'd soon realise that would steal her heart.
XXXXX
Nathan knocks on the door a couple of times bouncing on the balls of his feet as he glances at his watch.
He knows that Haley is currently downtown at Eli's setting up for the company's spritzer so he's taken a chance dropping by here realising it's much better for everyone if he sees Lucas alone.
Lucas pulls back the door his face completely expressionless as he notices Nathan on the other side. 'What do you want?' He says evenly.
'Can I come in?' Nathan waits for several seconds that feel like long, hard minutes before Lucas steps back from the door completely.
He follows him down the hallway stepping into the cosy living space of rich mahogany woods and ambient lighting. It's like his gaze is fine-tuned to the matching mahogany framed photo of Lucas and Haley; one in which she's jumping on his back, her golden locks piled high on her head, her smile completely radiant.
'What are you doing here Nathan?'
Nathan peels his gaze away from the picture feeling even more unsettled. 'I'm living in Boston now…' He gives him the only answer he knows how.
'I know but what are you doing here? I mean what exactly do you think you're gonna get from this Nathan?' Lucas says not even giving him the brief reprieve of small talk. He occupies the single armchair adjacent to the wood burner, his movements are as frigid as his tone.
Nathan stays standing, the uncomfortableness crawling in his veins. 'Luke I just want to try ok..'
'Try what?...Try and salvage a relationship we never really had in the first place? Try and appease your own guilt or hell even Dan's…is that what this is about?'
'No this has nothing to do with our father…'
'Don't call him that.' Lucas warns him, his eyes meeting his. 'And don't tell me this has nothing to do with him considering the timing. Dan dies a few short months ago and now you're suddenly here?'
'It isn't like that.' Nathan tells him.
'So what you're saying that isn't true. That this has nothing to do with him.'
'It's complicated.' Nathan says feeling the desperate hollowness of his words.
'When isn't it with our family?' Lucas lets out standing up from the sofa again. He's pacing now. Nathan waits with bated breath. 'But you know some things are really simple Nathan. You left with him all those years ago, you ran…knowing what you did.' He says pointing the finger at him as he stops pacing and locks his harsh gaze on him. His eyes are burning with anger. 'You know I was left caring for her, you ever seen what heartbreak is like Nathan cause I can tell you now I thought the pain of that was going to kill her, hell it almost did. And you both just left the rest of us to dust.' The metaphor hits raw as his younger brother visibly flinches at his words. But he can't stop himself for even a second, he is burning up, the remnants of that day refuse to smoke out entirely. 'And then to find out that you were behind it…'
'It wasn't all me Lucas and something tells me you know that.' Nathan steps stepping forward instinct telling him if he takes even one more step Lucas may grab him by the neck and god knows what he will do next. 'I took on enough blame over what happened and it's taken me a long time to realise it wasn't all my fault and I won't stand here now and let you tell me otherwise. You have no idea what it's been like for me…'
'That's just it isn't it? It always comes back to poor Nathan, it must have been really hard leaving Tree Hill moving away to a whole new life no having to deal with the wreckage you left behind…'
'The wreckage I left behind...' Nathan quizzes him now defensiveness now coating his previous tepidness. 'What about your part in it Luke?'
'Don't you even dare…' He snarls.
'Why?' Nathan snaps this time as he takes a step forward. 'What did you think was going to happen Luke when I found out? You know I actually started to trust you and the whole time you were plotting against us..'
'I was doing it for you..'
'Is that what you tell yourself? You were doing it for me..' Nathan scoffs this time as he stares him down. 'We both know you were doing it for yourself, you wanted to take him down fine but don't paint me out to be the only person with flaws in this. You're as much to blame for the events of that day as I am…'
'Get out…' Lucas grits his teeth as he steps closer to him. Nathan braces himself for the punch but it never comes.
'Lu…' He begins but the initiation dies on his lips.
'I said get out.'
XXXXX
'Something is off with him..' It's a fleeting observation and yet to the older James sister it's rather interesting not only that her sister is obviously aware of the fact something is not quite right with the raven haired man but that she's openly admitted so almost without realising. Quinn smiles as she glances at her younger sister who is craning her neck across the decking area.
It's a cold, crisp winter's night, its stillness in perfect harmony with the setting for this evening's soirée at Eli's waterfront bistro overlooking Boston harbour.
The alcohol flowing however protests the calming atmosphere and Quinn knows from experience both on her part and others it won't be long before polite conversation and snacking on entrées becomes much more impulsive and less restrictive. It's no wonder the company doesn't pay for entertainment.
'You okay baby James?' She prods.
'Is Nathan being strange or is it me?' Haley isn't willing to let it go, it seems. Not that Quinn is surprised she's clearly developed some form of kinship with the younger Scott brother even if she hasn't admitted it to herself.
Haley sighs annoyed at her own unwillingness to just let her silly thoughts go. She wishes for the champagne to override her analytic mind at any moment now. They were about 2 excruciatingly long hours into this work mixer and he hasn't said a word to her. He hasn't even come over here.
'He's avoiding me isn't he?' Haley ponders. So much for letting it go.
Quinn just chuckles beside her.
'Nice, I'm glad this is so amusing for you..' Haley huffs in a similar fashion to that of when they were younger.
'You might want to hold off on your liquor baby James unless you want to get a second strike on the wall of shame…' Quinn teases her.
Haley rolls her eyes at her. You can equally love and hate your sister at the same time right?
'This is what you wanted right?' Quinn implies giving her a nudge. 'He's probably just trying to respect your place in all of this. You know all things considered.' Quinn tells her.
Haley just nods unconvinced. She isn't so sure. Not of his respect, she's very much aware of how respectful he has been of this weird situation to the point where she's found it difficult to keep her distance from him.
Something about him tonight is different. It's strange how well she can read him in such a short space of time, she'd felt it that first night she met him and later downplayed it to her connection with Luke. Whatever it is, she feels something is off with him literally from across the decking area. She can't explain it to her sister, she's not even sure she can explain it to herself.
'I need a refill.' Haley says as she excuses herself. She clearly doesn't want to think anymore.
XXXXX
A boldness licks up her spine now as she politely squirms her way through the crowd, she's not sure how long it's been since she left Quinn's side but her sister is nowhere to be seen. But he's right there where seemingly he has been all night in a classic pale blue shirt that's cuffed up to his elbows as he leans against the decking looking across at the harbour.
The calmness is stolen by the late evening breeze which blows his thick raven locks in a way that is sinfully appealing.
'Hey..' She's says the champagne gives her a momentary resolve to close the space between them without thinking so much about why he was avoiding her earlier in the night.
He turns at the sound of her delicate voice and she swallows the gasp, the blue shirt adorning his frame enhancing the rich sapphire of his eyes in the most heart rendering way.
'Haley….hi…' He says offering her a smile. He can't help but look her up and down, she's in a rather simple deep purple cocktail dress showcasing silk bare legs that are dipped into a pair of pair of 4 inch heels. She's still perfectly petite beside him despite that and somehow he finds he likes it that way.
'Water huh?' She teases his drink of choice as she rests her back against the railings beside him.
'Tomorrow is a big day for me.'
Haley just smiles. 'I guess it means your name will escape the wall of shame for reckless drunken behaviour...'
Nathan just shrugs and smiles down at her as she leans her head against his shoulder and sighs softly. It doesn't want to think he's effected by her so greatly but he is, the crisp materials of his shirt softens with her warmth he can practically feel his skin tingling from where her head is resting. It's a sweet act of affection but he knows it's laced with champagne he won't allow himself to think otherwise
'You're so comfy...' She tells him and he chuckles. 'How much have you had drunkie?'
She quickly lifts her head giving him a glare that looks more like a cross eyed drunken grin and he smiles. He can't help it; despite the way his earlier visit lingers like smoke in his lungs with her he breathes easy for maybe the first time in his life he doesn't feel like he is fighting himself at every corner.
And it's an impossible realisation given who she is to Luke.
'Not thaat much…' Her emphasis makes her seem even more tipsy than she appears. 'I was setting up so technically I got my complimentary champagne like a full hour before everyone else..' She justifies.
'I can see that.' He says feeling the heat rise and soften his insides as she leans against him once more.
She's affectionate by nature, it's natural for her to link arms with Lucas or jump on his back just as much as it is a natural inclination for her to lean against his younger brother right now and be close to him. The alcohol has lay claim to her usual inner monologue and It's oddly freeing.
'Is your name still the last on that list Haley James?' He teases her.
'Sadly..' She mock pouts before glancing up at him. She's still leaning against him. 'I thought you were going to clear it for me.'
Good grief he wonders if this is his punishment for being such a coward all this time meeting his brother's best friend in these circumstances and the way she looks at him now, wide brown eyes of beauty, dusky rose tinted lips that he's tasted only briefly but he's been thirsty for ever since. How easy it would be to kiss her now, to tilt his head towards her and gently pry those lips apart slide his tongue against hers in a warmth caress.
He swallows hard shaking himself out of his reverie.
The impulse is incredibly strong and he needs to distract himself quickly. So he plays on humour, it's like a safety blanket netting his ever growing true feelings for this girl. 'What do you suggest I do to get my name on that wall?'
'Maybe have a glass of champagne first..' She says taking a sip of her own.
'My my Haley James, are you trying to get me drunk so you can have your way with me…' He teases easily. 'Maybe give you that elusive orgasm you've been chasing..'
'Nathan..' She gasps swatting his arm as she moves back from him glancing around giving him the perfect view of her rose tinted cheeks.
'I can't believe you brought that up.' She whispers harshly and he just chuckles. 'What?' He says innocently. 'It's not like there's any truth in the story. I take it you were just being sweet Haley trying to comfort the broken hearted guy.'
When she doesn't respond and just idly continues to sip away on her champagne like the last few minutes of their conversation haven't occurred. 'You haven't?' His eyes bug out in realisation and he can't stop the words from tumbling out of his mouth. 'You haven't orgasmed from sex….ever?'
Clearly he didn't get the que to stop prodding when she hadn't prolonged this topic of conversation any further and she can't help but feel annoyed at him for continuing it and then she's replying the words that have all but tumbled out of his mouth and she's all fired up. 'Where do you get off asking me that?'
'Well at least I do..' He's grinning at her now, it's that sideways one she adores but equally wants to smack off his face right now.
She swats him with her purse this time. 'You can be such an ass..you know that?' She turns looking out onto the harbour hoping the night breeze will calm her tinted cheeks.
Nathan just chuckles clearly enjoying this conversation too much.
His laughter fuels her irritation on the whole matter. 'And who says they want their boyfriend to make them orgasm…It should just happen….shouldn't it?' She's not even aware of the fact that she's the one continuing this line of conversation now, he's sparked her off and she's not letting him take it.
'Well yea that's kind of the point..' Nathan says and she huffs displeased. He notes the now empty glass dangling from her delicate fingers and he offers her some of his water, he doesn't want her to get too drunk.
'That's not even why we broke up.' She tells him clearly still wrapped up in this conversation or hell her justification of it to even acknowledge his offer of some water. 'Sex wasn't really a big part of….oh you know what I don't know why I'm even mentioning him, I don't want to talk about it….as far as I'm concerned that relationship was definitely not one of the most defining ones in my life and it really has no hold on me whatsoever, why would it..I can't even remember the guys second name..'
'He probably deserves you forgetting his surname if he couldn't make you come..'
Haley cuts him with a look. He chuckles. 'What's so funny?'
'Well for a relationship that has no hold on you whatsoever you just seem a little hard done by..'
'No I'm not I didn't need him to anyway.' Haley says almost smugly now. 'I can give myself better orgasms than any man anyway so what should I care?' Haley rattles off as if she were proud of her accomplishments.
Nathan nearly chokes on his water at her comment undoubtedly, he's a guy after all and that sets off a whole host of tantalising images in his brain.
'And on that cue I think we should get you some ice water like Nate has here little sis..' Quinn says swopping in highly amused having caught onto the tail end of their conversation and the look on her co-workers face.
XXXXX
'Plug your nose and down it…' The harsh order rattles her eardrums before she even opens her eyes.
Haley groans from where she is buried under her nest of sage green Egyptian cotton quilt fighting off the blaring pain in her head.
She knows exactly the origins of such a pain before she even comes to her senses. Work and champagne. Haley groans.
'Drink up sis. It's Friday not Saturday and you're no longer working reception.'
Her efforts to pull herself up are a slow unmerciful drag. 'Oh god..'
'Morning sunshine..' Quinn teases.
Haley just rolls her eyes. 'Please don't tell me I've another stroke on the wall of shame in the office?' She mumbles pitifully.
'You're saved…'
'Oh thank god..' Haley says swallowing the nausea inducing purple juice alongside two pain pills.
'But…'
Oh that's not the word she wants Quinn to say right now.
'You have a notion for talking about orgasms when you're drunk…which is odd considering you're so shy about your sexual endeavours, I don't know maybe it's your wild side..' Quinn muses with a coy wink.
'What are you talking about?' Haley frowns the dread turning her stomach quicker than last night's bubbly.
'You don't remember any particular conversation?'
'Quinn….' Haley urges eyes pleadingly wishing and also not wishing to be put out of your misery.
'I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what was said but I caught the tail end of your conversation.'
'With who?'
'Your supervisor.' Quinn says giving her a pointed look.
Haley still looks as confused as ever.
'You know the delicious, dark younger Scott brother that you were basically telling you can get off all by yourself pretty damn good...'
Her face is brick red with shame as she dives into the comfort of the covers. Haley mumbles muffily into the quilt something akin to stupid fricking champagne and why me.
'Look it could have been worse..' Quinn begins tepidly trying to hide the bemusement on her face.
'How could this possibly have been worse?' Haley once again mumbles not showing her face.
'You could have asked him for one!'
XXXXX
She's working away meticulously on the forms at her desk as the heavenly scent of her signature latte assails her senses. The cup is placed right beside her working document and Haley mumbles a shy tepid thanks practically salivating at the familiar smell of her favourite drink and the musky scent of the man who brought it to her desk.
Nathan.
Her cheeks are already colouring in humiliation and she hasn't even looked his way.
Nathan whom is rather amused by the whole thing replies 'no problem' continuously smirking at her shy awkwardness as he steps back around his desk with his own coffee in tow. Aside from a quick wave his way when she entered their office space early this morning she has since been MIA.
He smirks to himself thinking back on last night.
'How's the head today?' He asks causally, noticing her tense at the words from his lips.
Haley inwardly groans. Sure enough he was going to talk to her at some stage and well she figures her being an awkward mute will just fuel the obviousness that she said something she never wanted him to hear last night, she supposes she should feel semi-grateful that he isn't bringing it up directly.
'Not so good, I tend to not handle champagne all that well in case you hadn't noticed.' She rebukes not daring to look at him for fear she'll see a face very akin to the one Quinn had told her he had sported last night in response to her revelations.
'Yea well I rather enjoyed the company of a champagne filled Haley.' Nathan says and she finally glances up at him. Surprise stills her as she observes him half expecting that cocky smirk of is that often adorns his teasing nature but instead she he gives her an easy smile, one that lets her breathe easy at least for now that he isn't going to mention what she drunkenly spewed to him last night and she appreciates that.
Their relationship is already delicate enough without last night's dare she say flirty banter been acknowledged again in the light of day.
He watches as she smiles softly in return and he can't help but hold her gaze for a little longer than is necessary after all she looks supremely pretty today in a casual teal sweater and black mini skirt with a matching teal belt, her honey locks in their signature wild curls.
'Well Haley after champagne isn't much company… I just feel very rough, sorry.' She says meekly.
'You don't look it.' Nathan simply tells her as he goes back to his drawings not wanting to prod her any further or make her feel uncomfortable.
Gosh, he's so sweet. Her brows furrow at the casual thought she can't help but feel drawn to him as she watches him so focused on his work; tongue poking out the corner of his mouth as he poises the fine art pencil in his hands. He always does that when he concentrates. just like Luke. It's another fleeting thought but it's the very one that shakes her from her stupor.
Luke.
It's as though he is reading her thoughts because the moment she says his brother's name in her head Nathan glances up at her offering her a shy smile.
He's probably wondering why she's staring at him and she's wondering how he and Luke never had their chance?
It's not the first time she's pondered so or maybe even wished it so, she remembers vividly telling Luke their sophomore year of college, it's clear to her because it was the first time he ever mentioned Nathan in a way that was regretful to her. He had wondered what his younger brother was doing so briefly and then closed the lid on it so tightly even after she had told him they were so young and things didn't have to be the way that they were.
That was when she learned why things were the way they were although to this day she's never quite sure she understood it and maybe, no especially now as she glances across at his raven haired brother she's deeply curious what it was like for him, it's there and she can't help it.
But maybe she should before she risks things becoming even more complicated. Maybe they already are.
XXXXX
He doesn't ever hear her step back into his office later on and from the way he's hunched over the illuminated drawings on his desk, fingers grasping tightly on his ravens ends she isn't at all surprised that he isn't aware of her presence.
'Nathan, what time is it?' Haley says, disbelief coats her tone as she watches him; he shows no signs of leaving soon.
'Huh?' He mumbles not even looking in her direction as he stares down at the same fraction of the design he has been staring at for minutes now.
'I said what time is it?' She repeats if only to draw his attention back to reality and the actual time it is.
'Nathan…'
Finally, he glances up, she has to bite back the giggle at the strands of his hair all pulled in different directions, it's completely boyish and endearing and makes him look a far cry from the sleek, business man that came into the office earlier this morning.
'What are you still doing here?'
'Working…' Nathan answers obviously frowning as if it's just a ridiculous question to ask.
'At 10.55?' Haley says as she leans against the doorframe.
He thinks she's having him on, least that's what he'd like to believe and he shakes his watch on his left wrist almost like a mad man cursing to himself when he sees Haley is in fact right. He is so caught up in his perplexity over how quickly 9:21 went to 10:55 that he doesn't notice Haley is right beside him until she's turning off his desk lamp.
'What are you doing?'
'You're finished for the night. Come on…' She begins to tidy away his stuff. 'I wouldn't even be here at this time only for I left my things in Quinn's bag, my sister who happens to be at the bar right now alongside anyone else left in the building…' She tattles off but he's not concerned for her words not when her hands are going towards his designs.
'Haley don't touch those…' He jumps up from his seat like a mad man and this time she can't help the giggle that escapes between her parted peony lips.
'You think this is funny?'
Oh great now he's getting grouchy. 'Nathan you need some sleep…' Haley says matter of factly, there's no two ways around it.
'I've all weekend to sleep, this needs to be perfect for Monday morning Haley or this client will go through us or more like me...'
'Nathan you've done more than enough. Also I'm sure the fire protection system can't be…'
'Haley how many times do I have to tell you my work is about so much more than a damn safety hazard…' He gruffs out interrupting her before rolling his eyes at himself, he's played right into her teasing. She is smiling now and he knows damn well she only mentioned that damn fire protection system to get a rise out of him. She's annoyingly peppy tonight. 'How many coffees have you had today anyway? Weren't you hungover and dying to go home this morning?'
'Not as much as you…' She says making an obvious perusal of his crazy hair.
Nathan sighs.
'I honestly don't think there is anything more you can do with these blueprints Nathan, you've poured everything into this,'
'Are you trying to placate me now?' He mumbles and she can already see his keyed-up energy zapping out of him as he draws out another long sigh.
'Is it working…boss?' She teases.
'Haley…I'm not…' He rolls his eyes again, his obvious tiredness allowing her to have one up on him the whole time tonight and she's loving it so. Entirely.
'Looks let's just leave the blueprints here, if it helps I'll even come in at an ungodly hour on Monday and you can talk me through everything before presenting it…'
'Says the designer.' Nathan teases his mood lightening ever so slightly. 'Are you even interested in hearing about it?'
He's mocking her now which is a major up step from the stubborn, tired, overworked Nathan. Feeling accomplished with herself for bringing him around Haley smirks in response to his comeback. 'Safety vs creativity right?' She teases back.
He smiles, the kind of one that crinkles around his eyes and yet also belies his tiredness. It's definitely time to get out of here.
'Come on it's like an hour away from Saturday morning. It should be illegal to be in the office at this time.'
XXXXX
'You're awfully hard on yourself you know?' Haley says as they walk along the Pier 6 boardwalk away from their office building. A still crispness haunts the November air giving way to an opaque starry night.
He glances down at her offering an easy shrug to her words and yet somehow she knows he's never really been able to just shrug such expectations away. If he had, it wouldn't be this way.
'Does Lucas ever talk about our dad?'
She hadn't expected his question and when she glances up at him the shaky breath that leaves his makes itself known in the night air. She wonders if he's surprised himself by asking. like the words are out there before he even realises.
'Honestly...never.' Haley admits. 'When I first got to know Lucas I just figured it was too hard for him to talk about it but then I realised he didn't talk about him because he had nothing to say, he barely had a relationship with him I guess…'
'What about me?' His voice doesn't carry its usual strong fervour and his vulnerability has a rather dizzying sensation ticking her insides, she's unsure if it's nerves or something else. Being in his company tonight feels different.
The space between them carries a subtle warmth to her bones, like an expansive safety net draping around her and for once she's not trying to claw her way out.
'When I found out about you..' Haley begins. 'Luke...he said you were this determined force, arrogant and so self-assured and I wonder if he even believed that himself sometimes.'
'What do you mean?'
'Just sometimes I feel like Luke is more self-assured in his nature than you..' Haley admits quietly not sure if it's the right thing to say if she even should say but she can't help herself.
His automatic reaction would be to laugh this off, tell her that Luke is right and he is in fact very self-assured if not an arrogant kind of guy but the way those large doe-eyes of hers are observing him now he knows there's not any part of him that can defy the accuracy of her readings despite how unnerving it is for him.
As off balance as he feels around her there's equally a part of him that she centres, he's just not ready to give her that power, he's not sure he'll ever be ready.
'Nothing was ever good enough for dad growing up.' Nathan admits as they continue walking along. 'He kept reminding me that I was the chosen one and I had to live up to that or else he made the wrong choice.'
'That sounds like a lot of pressure.' Haley says, frowning at the weight of his words.
'I thought eventually his words just wouldn't have their impact anymore, getting older his words wouldn't get to me, I knew he was just bitter but sometimes it's still very hard to escape that voice in my head…'
'His or yours?' She ponders softly.
'Both….' Nathan sighs deeply sinking his hands into his pockets.
'I'm sorry.'
'You've nothing to be sorry for Haley.'
'No, I know…. I guess I'm sorry things couldn't have been different for you or Luke. I always hear about how different you both are but you're so similar in many ways, I can see the resemblances in like the smallest of things …' She smiles. 'God even when you were tugging on your hair relentlessly in the office this evening Luke does that all the time.'
It's a strange feeling for him being told the subtle ways he resembles his brother, no one ever really touched on it in his lifetime, not when he lived in Tree Hill.
Still, there were a lot of things no on touched on that the petite blonde beside him seamlessly shared with him this late evening.
She's so forthcoming, the relay of her thoughts laps gently upon him like the waves closing in against the pier.
It isn't the crash he'd expected such realisations to bring.
Everything about her feels gentle, almost putting a life he feels is constantly chasing by him in this slow-moving pace.
'Sorry that's probably made you supremely uncomfortable.' Haley says in response to his silence.
'No it's not that.' Nathan reassures her as they come to a stop beside a street lamp where Haley does a sweet little pivot in her mini skirt in front of him. He smiles at her actions. There's something so gracious and loveable about her.
'It's just it would be easy to blame my dad for what happened between Luke and I but I had a part in it too Haley.'
She nods knowingly as stillness evades them. She glances up, the sky mirroring the calm waters as speckled stars lay claim to opaque darkness.
He's just watching her in awe of the way her features illuminate as she looks above her before her eyes meet him again. He's pretty sure she's blushing now but the night and this night in particular could easily play its tricks on him. Maybe it already had.
Her image in that little outfit of hers, a mass of beautiful honey curls standing beside that little street lamp is a sight to behold.
It feels like a movie scene where he could lean in and taste her maybe even delve his tongue into her mouth and truly savour her essence let the camera pan out and show the glistening stars above them.
But his life is far from a movie. More like a climatic soap opera and romance had never been the main feature as much as his heart in this moment wills it to be so.
God the way he is looking at her, his eyes mirror the dark night and yet the indigo essence in them shimmers like every perfectly placed star in the night sky.
There's more to him than she ever could have imagined and that she is completely sure of.
There's more than who she was told he was; who Lucas believes him to be.
'This shouldn't feel this easy…' Haley says softly, no longer feeling the fear of that admittance. Perhaps it's the safety net this night, this moment with him has given her or perhaps she just can't lie to herself anymore.
He swallows hard at her words. He's felt it himself despite the external discord around them when it's just them everything seems to find its natural order.
Nothing in his life has ever flowed until now.
And yet...
'Haley I don't want to put you in the middle…'
'You're not.' Haley tells him. 'If anything I feel like I've placed myself there tonight. It supposed to be strictly work you know…' She whispers the last part softly as she glances across the boardwalk for longingly.
'Let me walk you home.'
Haley just nods as they fall into step again and when they reach her complex and she simply tells him that she will see him on Monday morning he wonders if she'll carry the guilt of her earlier words to him to sleep tonight.
He doesn't want that for her, she doesn't deserve to feel that way.
'Haley, it was just work alright?'
She smiles glancing back at him, catching onto the meaning behind his words and the way he is attempting to appease her self-reproach.
Once she's inside the building she rests her head back against the closed door, her heart unwavering in its anticipated rhythm.
Sighing Haley tugs her key through the lock gently not the least bit surprised when she notices the warm lighting evading the small space of their apartment.
Lucas often wrote late into the night hours.
'Hey.' He greets easily the fluorescent screen lightening up his pensive features.
'You get past that rough patch?' Haley says noting the look of writer's ease on his face
He smiles. 'I just I've been here for hours, it just sort of happened.'
She smiles in return wondering no less if Brooke's sudden appearance has inspired something in him of late.
'You were working late.' He comments then taking a sip from his cup.
'Yea.' Haley drops her bag down onto the kitchen countertop next to his laptop. 'I kind of played catch up this evening because this morning was a write off.'
'The spritzer?'
Haley nods. 'Quinn's last night.'
'I figured.' Lucas chuckles. 'You want to talk about it?'
'If by it you mean me making a fool of myself no.' Haley says as she rests her head on her chin fighting back the tiredness. It had been a long day. 'What did you get up to?'
'Eh Nathan stopped by last night. I actually thought he'd be at your work event but apparently not.'
Haley feels her heart pounding in her chest at the mere mention of his name. It explains a lot regarding yesterday, his late appearance at the event, his aloofness. He obviously didn't want to drag her into the middle of what occurred between himself and Luke last night.
'What happened?' She asks Luke.
'I just I couldn't.' Lucas admits. 'Seeing him Hales, just seeing him brings it all up you know and I've dealt with it the best way I know how but it's still very hard to look at him without wanting to hurt him…it's hard to say that.'
'Maybe he is hurting…' Haley replies softly, the soft caress of her words leaving her lips before she even realises.
But it's too late, the ease of the late night hours fall away from both of them, the frown across his forehead almost magnifies by the glaring light of his screen. 'What's that supposed to mean?' His words are defensive.
Haley sighs inwardly closing her eyes for a brief moment. 'Luke I just…'
'Have you talked to him about this?'
'What…no I haven't..' Haley says. 'I just think maybe you should.'
Those were the wrong words to say evident by the way Lucas closes the screen of the MacBook shaking his head. 'Just great Hales. You know you're the one person I feel like won't judge me or make me feel even guiltier for shutting him out because you know me, you know I wouldn't do this unless I had a valid reason…'
'I'm not judging you Luke. That's just it. I know you and I know how you are and whether you think so or not you haven't dealt with this, it's still causing you a great deal of pain and maybe you should talk to him if not for your relationship…for yourself.' Haley tells him as she too stands up from her stool.
The way he's eying her unnerves her. Like he can read into her mind, like he's unearthing with that one look the recent confusing feelings of tenderness and fondness she's developed for his younger brother.
She's always wore her heart on her sleeve.
'Maybe you're right.' Lucas tells her his gaze is unwavering.
Haley nods silently.
'But I can't shake the feeling like there's more to this..'
'Luke…' She begins.
'No it's okay. I just don't want to see you get hurt. Be careful Haley, you don't know Nathan like I do.'