A cool gentle breeze blew Haley's curls across her face. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she looked at the empty night sky sprinkled with a few sparkling stars. It was soothing standing outside alone away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoying the peacefulness, she collected her thoughts. Once again, she revealed part of her past to Lucas before she could stop herself. The problem lied in the fact that he was so easy to talk to. Even if she was mad at him, she knew that she couldn't stay mad at him forever. If it was any other circumstances, she could see him as the guy best friend she always wanted. One who could tell you what guys were thinking and give you a new perspective on something. Closing her eyes, she allowed the cool wind to caress her, providing her with a comfortable feeling of peace, if even briefly.

"If you don't mind Lucas, I rather be alone," Haley replied when she heard soft footsteps approaching.

"Good thing I'm not Lucas then," the intruder stated cockily, admiring the beauty before him. "He must be a total bore. Good thing you have me to lighten things up. I know you enjoy my pleasant company, but then again, who wouldn't!"

Shivering, Haley drew all her courage and slowly turned around. Crossing her arms firmly in front of her in defiance, she barked, "Go away Kevin."

"So the lady has attitude," the smug look firmly planted on his face. "I like that in a woman."

Gradually moving back, she repeated, holding a hand up to prepare herself for any of his advances, "I mean it, go away Kevin."

"And deny you the pleasure of being graced with my presence. I think not. You're just playing hard to get. Don't worry, I'm not giving up. In fact, the chase is half the fun. The other half, you'll find out soon enough."

Looking behind her shoulders, she dropped her hand as she noticed she couldn't move back any further. Slowly she shifted in a half circle as Kevin continued to approach her. Terrified of the fact that they were alone, she tried to backtrack inside the hotel without making it obvious. Hopefully someone would walk outside soon. And as if her fairy godmother granted her wish, Kevin walked right past her. Fear was replaced with confusion.

"I'll catch up with you later Haley." Chills ran through her spines at the possibility of what later may entail.

A hand placed on her shoulders caused her to panic. Kevin was able to trick her into thinking he left when his true purpose was to catch her off guard. Rotating, she was about to give Kevin a beating he truly deserved. She had enough of his threats and insinuations. If she didn't do something soon, she didn't know what could possibly happen.

Letting out a faint scream, she turned around to find Lucas. Relief and anxiety washed over her. Trying to appear normal, she plastered on her best smile. "Lucas, you scared the living daylight out of me. I almost died of a heart attack."

Disregarding her remark, he asked, "Did Kevin do or say something to you?" His voice was firm, full of concern.

A flash of panic came to Haley's eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Of course not. What makes you say that?" Haley lied, perplexed on whether she should tell Lucas or not. Deciding it was better not to, she bit down her bottom lip from telling him the truth. Lucas' job depended on her ability to handle Kevin on her own.

"I don't know. Maybe the terrified look in your eyes and the fact that you're trembling makes it obvious." Taking her hand in his, he coaxed, "Look Haley, you can tell me. I can handle Kevin. You don't have to put up with any of his %$#."

"You're jumping to the wrong conclusions."

"Am I?" Lucas challenged her.

Pulling her hand away, she declared, "Yes you are."

"Hales, whatever he said to possibly threaten you isn't worth the risk of not telling anyone about it." Haley had to disagree with him because she would not be able to deal with the fact that she was the reason he lost his job. She was already a burden on him, she didn't want to add another weight on his shoulder.

"He's not but I think I'm sensing some jealousy here."

"Don't try to change the subject," Haley frowned at Lucas ability to read her so well.

"If you weren't jealous, why are you so worked up about this?" She knew he wouldn't buy her lame argument, but she had to divert the topic any way possible. "After all, I'm just your assistant remember."

"I care about everyone who is in my life. You are my assistant and therefore what concerns you concerns me."

"Well that's sweet of you to care, but I don't need anyone protecting me. I'm a big girl; I can handle anyone who is bothering me. Fortunately for the both of us, Kevin isn't so you don't have to worry."

"And you're sure about this?"

"Absolutely." Hoping he'd drop the subject, she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Okay," Lucas says, "I'll take your word for it. But if I see something that makes me believe otherwise, I'm not going to apologize for taking the necessary measures to put him in his place."

"Agreed." Praying that she'll figure something out before things get out of hand, she asked, "Do you think you can take me home? I'm exhausted and in desperate need of sleep."

"Sure," concern still evident in his voice. "Lets say goodbye to Stella before we go though."

"Yes, lets." Amused by how quickly the night has caused her to change her opinion of the author, she followed Lucas inside.

When they reached Stella, she excused herself from her other guests. "Are the two of you leaving already?"

"Yes," Haley told her. "Thanks for inviting us to this lovely party of yours."

"Thank you for coming. You two are the talk of the whole party."

Groaning to herself, Haley looked at Stella in disbelief. She couldn't understand for the life of her why people were entertained by watching the two of them dance. Neither possessed extraordinary dancing abilities although Lucas was an amazing dancer.

"Why is that?" Lucas solicited.

Signaling the entire guest list with a wave of her hands, she explained, "Your amazing dancing skills mesmerized everyone."

"Thanks," Lucas said before Haley could rebuke the compliment.

"No need to take me for stating the truth." Pointing her finger, she continued, "Would you be a dear Lucas and pick up the pictures the photographer took of you two? It's near the entrance."

"Sure," Lucas complied.

"Haley can keep me company for a few minutes while you're doing that."

After Lucas walked off, Stella turned towards Haley. "So Haley, what's going on with you and Lucas?"

Almost gagging from being taken aback by the host's upfront question, she questioned, "What do you mean?"

"Don't give me that. I can tell that something is going on. The chemistry between the two of you is undeniable," she smirked in amusement.

"I think you're mistaken Stella. Lucas is my boss."

"A sexy, smothering hot boss," the author returns.

With wide eyes, the assistant asked incredulously, "Excuse me?"

"Don't tell me you don't find him remotely attractive."

"That's not important," Haley gnawed on her bottom lips.

"Just what I thought."

"I'm sorry Stella, but you're confusing me here."

"Haley, I write romance novels. I am fully aware when two people are attracted to one another. I can't even remember writing the relationship between two people who belong together more than the two of you."

"What we have is a...solid non-romantic relationship. I think you two would make a better couple," she laughed awkwardly.

"My husband would disagree," Stella held up her ring to show her brilliant cut 14-karat diamond ring.

"Wow, that's beautiful. I didn't know you were married." She couldn't believe she failed to realize the giant ring until now.

"Thank you. I'm lucky to have married the perfect person for me, but that's beside the point. We're talking about you here."

"You're very persistent Stella," Haley laughed at the picture of herself talking about her relationship with Stella of all people. She wished she had a video camera to document this whenever she needed a good laugh.

"It's one of my admirable traits," she winked.

"Do you always try to play matchmaker?" There was no doubt in Haley's mind that she took on that role on several occasions.

"Only when my services are required and in this case, it is. It shouldn't surprise you that I enjoy helping people find their soul mates since I am a romance novelist."

Shrugging, Haley enlightened the matchmaker, "Well I guess you'll have to deal with this being your first lost cause."

"What lost cause are you two talking about?" Lucas asked, confused as he held a manila envelop in his hand.

"Oh, nothing that is of any importance," Haley articulated. "We better let you get back to your other guests Stella"

"Thanks for the picture," Lucas added.

"You're welcome." She shook Lucas' hands and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Have a good night and drive safely."

Leaning towards Haley as she embraced her hands, her voice dropped to a whisper that only Haley could hear, "Pictures are worth more than a thousand words."

Not sure what Stella meant by that, she nodded and walked out towards the front of the hotel with Lucas. As they waited for the valet driver to retrieve his car, he began opening the envelope, taking out several pictures. "Wow...there's quite a few pictures of us. I thought the photographer only took one."

Haley leaned close to him to get a better view. When Lucas began flipping through the pictures, Haley realized what Stella meant. Pictures do speak volumes.