Thanks so much for all your feedback! I've loved seeing the follows and favourites and your super kind reviews. This chapter was a lot harder to get out, hopefully you can follow it properly - I've tried keep the online messages in italics but write them as if it were a spoken conversation. Not sure how well it turned out but here it is! Thanks again :)

It hadn't taken long for the dating app to download - it had taken Haley longer to convince herself to part with $100 to sign up - and now she sat with a topped up glass of wine entering in her location and age bracket of who she'd like to chat to. There was an option to upload a profile picture, something she decided to look into later once she'd had the chance to explore the app more. She paused again when prompted for a username, wanting something subtle but clever. She didn't have a lot of nicknames; Haley Bob was her first and middle name and there was no way she wanted to advertise that to the online dating world. Similarly, Tutor Girl wasn't exactly the impression she wanted to portray. Remembering something her father used to call her when she was a little girl, something that didn't expose too much of her identity, she quickly typed it into the small box on the screen. Wanting something to differentiate herself from other people who may have chosen something similar, she added in two extra numbers, hitting enter before she had the chance to think on it further.

Welcome to MetYet, Halo23!

Haley let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. She watched as a small red circle whirled around, the innocuous symbol causing her more nerves than necessary as she waited for the page to reveal the prospective MetYet members who fit into her dating criteria.

"You're being ridiculous," she muttered to herself. "It's just a dating app. I'm not going to meet my future husband online tonight. I'm just looking for new people to chat to."

Catsby let out a quiet meow as he jumped up beside her, nestling into the warmth of her body before promptly falling asleep. Haley rolled her eyes. "See? This is why I need to meet new people... so I can have better company on a Saturday night and not sit here talking to my sleeping cat."

The page on her phone had reloaded, revealing two small icons. Two men, aged between 28-32 within a 50 mile radius of Tree Hill were currently online. For 11pm on a Saturday, Haley wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. She scrolled the page trying to work out how to use the app. She knew some wouldn't let men send the messages - would she have to make the first step? Just as she was about to press on a profile to see more, another red icon appeared at the top of her screen with the words: You have received (1) new MyMessage! Tapping on it, Haley bounced her legs with excitement and nerves.

The top of the window featured a round smiling face with thick, black framed glasses. The man's teeth were visibly yellow despite the small size of the photo. Haley quirked her eyebrows in surprise as her eyes skimmed the words.

Hi there! My name is Lance. I'm 31 years old from Jacksonville and I'm an accountant. I'm looking for a woman who enjoys cooking, crossword puzzles and inferential statistics. Would that be you, Halo23?

"Oh God," Haley cringed. He seemed so earnest. She knew that even though the app dissuaded the creepy men that were just after a one night stand, there were still those... slightly less attractive prospects out there searching for a genuine connection.

"I do like crossword puzzles... but I'm sorry, Sir_LanceALot... I don't think I'm the one for you," she muttered to herself again, staring at the screen. Should she reply? What was the harm in at least being polite?

As she debated what to do next, another MyMessage appeared on her screen.

I've been trying to think of a smart opening line about what it would take to get an angel to talk to a devil, but I'm pretty sure any of my ideas would get an online dating equivalent of a drink thrown in my face. Do you have any suggestions?

Haley's eyebrows raised again as she took in the small blue and white picture she had seen on her main MetYet page. She couldn't make out what it was, some kind of logo or symbol possibly, but not someone's face. Beside it was the username Devil12. Her thumbs started typing before her brain had even caught up.

A "hello" never hurts.

Ah yes... but you still replied ;-) The reply came almost instantly and Haley had to swallow a laugh.

Well I guess you've answered your own question then, she typed back. But what makes you think I'm an angel?

Your username. Unless you're a gamer? That's kind of hot for a woman...

It took Haley a moment to think of what Devil12's reply meant, until she remembered the video game her brothers always used to play. She laughed again, realising how ambiguous the name Halo was.

Nope, not a gamer. Just an old family nickname because I'm the angel child - which is not hard to be if you've ever met my brothers and sisters...

You want to take me home to meet your family, Halo23? Moving a bit too fast, aren't you? We haven't even met yet... ;-)

He was teasing her, it was clear, and Haley couldn't help but smile again. There was something appealing about the confident banter that had started between them. She couldn't help but be intrigued. Then again, it wasn't the first time she had found that flirty self-assurance attractive, had let it sweep her up and take her away... Shaking her head, Haley knew that thoughts like those weren't helpful. She focused back to her screen, ready to type, but before she could reply, Devil12 messaged again.

What about the 23? Don't tell me you're a Jordan fan?

Biting her lip, Haley finally caught up with her fingers and paused. It wasn't the first time she'd been asked that - her friends in college had often taken advantage of the hot, Californian sun and she had quickly learned that it was safer to wear a one-piece bathing suit to avoid further questions about things she didn't want to talk about. The very, very occasional intimate relationships she'd had over the years hadn't lasted long enough to warrant the truth. Lucas knew, of course, but he also knew better than to ever ask if those two numbers were still meaningful to her, were still marked on her body.

Wrong again, Devil. It was just an impulsive decision - much like the one to join this app to begin with. Today is the 23rd of the month so I just chose that.

She sighed in relief, happy that her lie had sufficed when the reply came back: An impulsive angel, huh? So what's a girl like you doing on an app like this on a Saturday night?

Oh Honey, you really want that drink thrown in your face, don't you?! That line was probably worse than anything you could have opened with!

Oh, you don't know what I had in mind, Halo...

Haley knew it was silly to read more into what were just words on the screen, but she couldn't help but imagine a deep, seductive voice in her ear as she read those words. Whoever Devil12 was, he was far more interesting than her real date earlier that evening. She had certainly smiled at her phone more in the last couple of minutes than she had all night.

I had a date earlier, it didn't go well. Haley admitted. My girlfriends think I'd have better luck meeting someone with this app.

What went wrong with the date? Came the reply

He picked me up in this disgusting, expensive sports car in neon yellow. I don't think I could form a lasting relationship with a guy who drives that kind of car. Oh... and he took me to this greasy dive for college kids. I don't need a man to take me somewhere fancy and expensive, but a girl would like more than soggy fries surrounded by drunken co-eds every now and again.

Haley sipped at her wine, giggling a little when the immediate response from Devil12 was a vomiting emoji.

I take it you're more of a Land Cruiser and a casual bistro kind of girl for a first date?

Safe choice, Devil.

Feeling like she might be coming across picky or stuck up, she quickly typed If I were with the right man, someone who I could have a great conversation with, who made me laugh, it wouldn't matter where he took me. I guess I'm at a stage where I know what I want and I don't want to have to sit through anything less for one evening.

Yeah, I can understand that. You're lucky that you know what you want. You shouldn't have to settle for anything less.

Emboldened by the conversation, Haley typed, What about you? Why are you on MetYet?

She waited for a reply, the time stretching out endlessly even though it probably hadn't been more than a minute. She tapped her foot impatiently against the table, earning a sleepy glare from her cat beside her. It had to be the biggest negative of cellphones in general, Haley thought, having to wait and wonder why the person on the other end hadn't responded immediately. Just as she was beginning to get nervous, text appeared on her screen again.

I've worked hard my entire life to have my dream career. I thought all the sacrifices I made would be worth it...

Haley frowned, knowing the reply was far too short for the length of time it took Devil12 to reply. She waited, hoping he would open up further and write more. Eventually, he did.

I know how lucky I've been, I was able to live my dream for 5 years. I got to do what I love, I have money, friends girls... but this devil meets a lot of women who like his pitchfork, but none of them have halos.

You talk about living your dream in the past tense. You're not anymore? Haley wrote, hoping he would elaborate, while being grateful he couldn't see the flush of her cheeks as she thought about his "pitchfork"…

Yeah... I've had to make a career change.

The reply was short and simple and Haley knew instinctively that Devil12 wasn't going to share any further. Truthfully, she thought the anonymous man was brave, having to rebuild his life like that. She had always wanted to be a teacher, something that became clearer as she worked her way through high school as a tutor. She couldn't imagine having to change that at this point in her life. She was intrigued by the depth of him, that there was this level of strength behind the cockiness. She also knew she wanted to know more. For the meantime, she figured it best to keep things cool - she didn't want this interesting guy she'd only been talking to for a short time think she was some prying loser.

Looking to retire the horns then, Devil?

The comment did the trick and Haley smiled as he replied almost immediately, confidence back in place

Only for the right angel... and I'll still keep the pitchfork.

It is hard to meet people as you get older, she wrote, thoughtfully. The world suddenly goes from being small in high school, to huge when you're in college and suddenly you're on the slope to 30 and you realize how small the world is again.

For sure. It gets even harder when all your buddies start settling down and raving about how great married life is.

And soon you find yourself home alone on a Saturday night with just your cat and a bottle of wine for company, Haley agreed.

And then that one cat becomes 7, the bottle of wine becomes a drinking habit, home alone means stuck in your rehab facility with that creepy guy who keeps crying over his broken marriage...

Okay, okay! Haley typed, laughing. I get it, I'm pathetic.

You're not pathetic, Halo. I'm the one home alone on a Saturday night on a dating app, no cat or alcohol in sight. At least you had a date tonight.

The message brought a smile to Haley's face. Devil12 seemed sweet, even with the confidence. It was a nice mix and easy to relate to. She understood why Quinn raved about the online platform so much, how it was easier to communicate with someone faceless from the comfort of your own home.

I'm really glad you decided to start messaging me.

I'm really glad I did, too :-)

The tall man stretched back on his couch, the black leather that camouflaged his hair creaking beneath him. Emitting a loud yawn, his eyes caught the small numbers at the top of his phone screen and he was surprised at how late it had gotten. He certainly hadn't expected to spend so long talking to the newcomer on MetYet. Hell, he'd barely had more than one "conversation" with anyone on the app since he first signed up two weeks ago, but there was something about this girl that sparked something inside him that had sat dulled for a long time.

Look, it's getting late and I have an early start in the morning so I better go... but would it be ok if maybe I messaged you tomorrow?

"Fuck," the man muttered out loud, reading the hesitancy in the words he had just typed. Could he sound like a bigger loser? Just as be began to berate himself, Halo23's message appeared on his screen.

It would definitely be ok :-) Looking forward to hearing from you. Sweet dreams, Devil.

A triumphant smirk overtook his features as he typed his reply. He'd just hit send when a loud thumping on the door made him look up.

He made his way across the foyer to open the front door, revealing a beaming man on the other side.

"Nathan Scott, you sexy bastard!"

Nathan chuckled as he stepped aside to let his friend and former agent inside. "Damn Clay, I was thinking you were never going to turn up!"

"And miss out on seeing your handsome face before I left town? Never."

"Well, I am supposed to be your ride to the airport in..." Nathan looked at his watch and grimaced. "Six hours."

Clay Evans tossed an overnight bag on the ground. "Sorry man, but I got held up with that client meeting and once the deal was signed, we had a few drinks to celebrate. He's so stoked you're going to be joining Fortitude, Nate. He's been following your career since you were a freshman at Duke and he was still in middle school. You're his hero."

Nathan grimaced. "I'm no one's hero anymore, Clay. But I'm glad he's signed up; you're a hell of an agent and he's a great talent. How was the house?"

Clay's grin stretched even wider, and Nathan had to smile. The agent was a hard worker and had to fit in a business meeting during his whirlwind trip to Tree Hill, but the main purpose of his visit was to check out a property he'd been eyeing up.

"The place is perfect, Nate. Massive pool, right on the beach, plenty of light... there's even a small room that would be perfect for a dark room for Quinn. I've already paid the deposit. I can't wait to move in with her."

"I'm happy for you," Nathan told him, honestly. "And I'm looking forward to meeting this girl that's had you tied up in knots for the last few weeks. Anyone who can tame you must be pretty special."

"Quinn's amazing. I can't wait for you to meet her… and don't worry, buddy - if I found someone to settle down with, I know you'll find someone, too. You'll find your perfect woman, Nate."

Nathan nodded as he eyed his phone, sitting on the couch where he had thrown it down earlier. Thinking of how he had spent his night, he couldn't help the smile that crept onto his lips. For the first time in a long time, he had a feeling that Clay might be right.