A/N: Sorry for the long wait but I'm working more now so my schedule has been really hectic.

Ch. 25

Lucas was stumped by her question. The more he got to know Haley, the more she surprised him. There was so much about her he didn't know. He felt as if he was just beginning to dig through the exterior of who she is as a person. The excavation would be a process he would enjoy doing.

"Lucas." Waving her hand in front of his face once more, she released a small chuckle.

"Huh?" Lucas asked, surprised.

"Do you always go off into your own little world?"

Shrugging slightly, he answered, "Whenever I think of you."

Shifting her eyes downwards, she began playing with her nails as she felt her pulse race to an irregular pace.

"So do you still want me to answer your question?"

"What question?" she asked, flustered.

"Oh, I don't know. Now that I think about it, I forgot what you asked," he feigned.

Looking up at his boyish grin, she finally remembered what he was talking about. "Oh no you don't! I remember now and you better tell me the truth."

"The whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"So help you God," Haley finished for him. "And don't you dare quote "A Few Good Men" and say that I can't handle the truth."

"How did you know I was going to say that?"

"I know more about you than you may realize," she answered cryptically.

Raising an eyebrow at the comment, he pondered his two choices. He decided to go with his first thought. "Reverse psychology."

"Reverse psychology huh? So you thought that I'd want you because you didn't want me?"

"Something like that. Did it work?"

"Were you always interested in reverse psychology?" she quickly asked.

"No avoiding the question."

Fidgeting in her seat, she picked at the piece of bread on her plate. "Maybe."

"That's a straightforward answer if I ever heard one," he replied sarcastically.

"Well I'm a straightforward type of girl."

"Uh-huh. You just showed me that now."

"Well I'm straightforward with some people."

"Either you give me an answer or you'll have to show me your feelings with another kiss."

Remember the last time their lips made contact, her heart pounded against her chest as her eyes focused on his lips. Biting her lips momentarily, she then whispered, "Yes."

"Excuse me? I can't hear you when you're mumbling softly."

"Too bad! I answered your question. It's not my fault you're deaf."

Standing up, he moved his chair towards her. "What do you think you're doing?

"I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine."

"Well you better move back to your side of the table." She scooted her seat away.

Following her moves, he conveyed, "What if I don't want to?"

"Then I'll...I'll move over there." She never felt more nervous in her life by his responses.

"Fine. I'll just have to move my seat again."

"Stop! We're not playing a game of cat and mouse here."

"Really, I thought we were and that I was winning."

"I don't-" Haley was cut off with his lips on hers. Stunned by his reaction, it took her a few seconds to react. Although her mind told her to pull away, her heart told her to follow her instincts.

Missing the other person's touch, they weren't aware of their surroundings. All they could focus on was the intense attraction that neither could deny.