Ch. 8

Sinking into his comfortable chair after throwing away the trash from lunch, Lucas noticed the uncomfortable silence between him and his assistant still lingering. He decided now was a good time to ask Haley what had been eating at him. "Haley," he offered.

Looking up at Lucas' intense gaze, her heart picked up speed. "Yes?"

"I don't understand what I've done, but I really wish we could get over it. Friends," he pointed out clearly. Usually it came easy, as easily as breathing in the sweet oxygen surrounding him.

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Haley began twirling with her fingers, wishing this was only a dream.

Exasperated, he questioned her logic. "Why not?"

"I like to maintain a professional relationship with my co-workers and boss." She gave a half smile while he frowned.

"I see. But I still don't understand why you wouldn't want to be friends with your co-workers."

"It's complicated." Haley sighed. He wasn't giving up on this notion. "I just think it's better this way."

"If you don't want to be my friend, the least you can do is tell me why." He knew he was pushing her for answers, but how could he not?

"I..you know what? Never mind. I'll be your friend if it makes you feel better but I'm not making any promises."

"Don't do me any favors," Lucas snapped back. Instantly embarrassed of how harsh that came out, he wanted to apologize but was too stubborn.

"Fine," Haley huffed, feeling tears that were about to fall, she stood up and walked out of the office back to her desk. She did not want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she was on the verge of tears.

Lucas collapsed into his chair. Knowing he should walk start toward her and apologize, he told his body to get up, but he couldn't. He was never one to think clearly when he was upset. Trying to get his mind off what happened, he began making some necessary phone calls to his clients.

Haley sat down slowly replaying all the catastrophes that took place within the past two hours. Her day was spiraling into one of a soap opera. Forcing herself to stay until her workday ends, she consumed herself in her work. The second that it was five o'clock, she left the office.

Lucas looked at his watch. It was ten pass five and Haley still didn't stop by as usual to say goodbye to him. Putting on his jacket, he gathered his stuff. He walked towards the door, hoping to see Haley one last time before he went home. Upon seeing the empty desk, he made his way out of the building towards his car.

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A soft gleam of light flowed through the blinds. Lucas groaned at his inability to sleep. His guilty conscience nagged him throughout the night and morning. Frustrated, he tossed the blanket over and climbed out of bed. Stretching briefly, he began pacing the room, hoping that the small amount of exercise will provoke him to fall asleep. No such luck.

After he almost wore the carpet thin, he reached for his phone and pressed number four on speed dial.

The ringing phone woke up Haley who barely fell asleep half an hour ago. She was going to give the person a piece of her mind for calling her at six in the morning.

"How dare you call at this hour!" she scolded into the receiver.

Lucas almost dropped the phone. Looking at his clock, he realized that he should have waited before he called her. "I'm sorry."

Instantly she recognized the caller's voice. "For what?" Although her voice sounded cool and collective, her heart began pounding violently against her chest.

"For calling so early." God damn it. Just suck up your pride and apologize to her.

"So you called me to apologize for calling so early. How nice of you."

Ignoring her bitter remarks, he explained, "I'm also sorry for acting so...irrational yesterday. I had a lot on my plate and I took it out on you. Would you please accept my apology?"

"Don't worry about it."

Why shouldn't he? He saw her blink and the shimmer of tears forming in her eyes when he made the spiteful comment. "I mean it, I'm really sorry."

Sensing the concern in his hushed voice, she released a sigh. "I accept your apology."

"Thank you. So since we're both up, do you care to join me for a cup of coffee? My treat."

"It better be," Haley laughed.

Relief washed over him upon hearing her beautiful laughter. "I'll pick you up in half an hour."

After hanging up the phone, Haley went to the bathroom to get ready. Glad that one problem was fixed, she needed to figure out what she should do about the other dilemma in her life. The guy disgusted her beyond the telling of it and the thought of her actually doing anything with him turned her stomach. Hopefully she wouldn't be seeing him anytime soon.