By the time Haley returned to the apartment it wasalmost time to turn around and head to her shift at the café. She quickly retouches her lip gloss, and headed out the door, so deep in thought she didn't even notice Nathan standing at the door. She ran right into him on her way out.

"Ow, geez Hales, you should really look where you're going."

"Oh, I'm so sorry Nathan, I was just…thinking about some stuff guess I didn't see you there, sorry."

"It's ok."

there's an awkward pause as they both stare into each others eyes, Haley desperately wanted to just hold him again, she fought off the urge to hug him and stuffed her hands in her jeans pocket. Nathan finally broke the silence…

"Well I just came by because I want to talk to you about last night and us."

"Yea I think we need to talk about that too. But I'm already late for work, why don't you meet me at the café, after my shift."

"Alright, I'll see you at eight."

"Okay." She said trying to put a smile on her face.

With that he left and she headed to the café.

Her thoughts were still on the conversation they had, had while she worked. Well he wants to talk that's good, at least he's not going to ignore what happened, that's good right? God, why doesn't that clock move faster! She was only half way through her shift and it had felt like a lifetime. She tried to keep busy, filling people's cups, straightening up, restocking things, but her mind still drifted. She worried about Peyton. Although they had just become friends again she couldn't help but wonder if there was anything she could do to help. She wanted Peyton to let her in, let her help. That's just how Haley was, if her friends were in need she was the first one that wanted to help them.

Finally it was almost eight o'clock. She turned the Open sign to Closed and went about cleaning the tables and putting the dishes away. By the time she looked at the clock it was ten minutes after eight, but Nathan hadn't showed up yet. Haley started to worry, Oh don't even tell me he isn't coming, what the hell? He wanted to talk, we need to talk. He better show up…alright deep breaths, chill out James-Scott, he'll show up.

She was just about to leave when he finally showed up.

"Sorry I'm late, my dad wouldn't leave me alone." He then smiled at her and all was forgotten.

"Oh it's alright, I was running late on closing tonight anyway." She smiled back.

"So, shall we?" He asked, cocking his arm so she could hook hers through his.

"We shall." She gladly took his arm and for the first time that night felt a calm rush over her.

They walked in silence not really knowing where they would end up. Eventually they made their way to the beach. They sat down and stared at the crashing waves for awhile until Haley finally spoke…

"Where are we now?" She whispered half talking to herself, but wanting him to hear it too. After a few seconds Nathan responded.

"We're at the beach."

"No, I mean where are we now?" She asked again waving her hands between the two of them.

"Oh…." He didn't have time to respond because Haley interrupted him,

"Look, last night was great, hell it was perfect. But if you want to pretend like it didn't happen, because you aren't ready. That's fine with me, we can just go back to how we were before last night happened. We were making so much progress and I don't want to lose all of that. So, whatever you want to do is alright with me."

Throughout her little speech, Haley couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes. After she was done, he took her chin in his hand and glided her head to face his. She was on the brink of tears.

"Haley, that's not what I want. Last night was not a mistake to me, if I thought that it wouldn't have happened. I'm ready for us again. I want it to be us again."

By now the tears were freely falling down her face.

"Me too, I love you so much."

"I love you more." He then kissed her sweet and softly at first, but it soon turned passionate and full of wanting.

"Let's get out of here." She said with a smile playing on her lips.

"We can go to the beach house, my mom left me the key." He replied, with a similar smile on his face.

With that said, he took her hand in his and they hurriedly make their way to the beach house.