"I need details, I need answers, and I need to know everything."
Words just seemed to be flying out of Brooke's mouth and Lucas couldn't think of thing to do to shut her up. How much more do I need to take? Lucas seemed to have traveled to oblivion when Brooke tugged at his arm.
"Hello, earth to Lucas Scott. I'm only trying to talk to you."
"I'm sorry Brooke. What were you saying?"
Deb came up to them in Karen's café and gave them their orders of coffee. "Thanks Deb. So, what I was saying, where have you been hiding? I heard rumors of New York. Did you go to New York?"
"One question at a time please, Brooke," Lucas laughed. He took a sip out of his coffee and looked at her. Her beauty seemed in tack and it would have appeared that she had only gotten more beautiful with time. But not as beautiful as Peyton. "Yeah, I was New York. I went to a rehab center in Virginia. Got myself sober, then I went to school. I became a teacher."
"Are you serious? You a teacher? If anyone in Tree Hill were to become a teacher it had to be you. You were the only one I ever saw reading outside of class. It was actually kind of creepy."
Lucas laughed and couldn't help but think that this is what he needed more than anything, someone to make him laugh and forget about all of his troubles.
"What are you doing for dinner tonight, Brooke?"
"You tell me hottie." Brooke smiled towards him and Lucas caressed her face.
"Dinner tonight. Meet me at the Italian restaurant on Fifth at seven."
"Make it eight and I'll definitely be there."
Lucas laughed, "Eight it is."
Brooke put her hand over Lucas' when Peyton passed by the diner and saw them. She couldn't help but feel jealous.
Lucas showed up at the restaurant with a grey suit on and a black shirt. He asked for the best table in the restaurant and was saddened to be informed that reservations were already made on it. He was seated the next best table in the restaurant and waited for about 5 minutes when Brooke finally showed up dressed in black satin dress that hugged her body.
"What do you think Mr. Hottie?"
"You look beautiful."
Lucas pulled out her chair and was about to seat himself when he saw Peyton walked into the restaurant with Russell. She was dressed in a champagne colored dress and Russell was in a black suit with a white shirt and gold colored tie. The two couple looked at one another and didn't exchange a single word.
"Did you invite me here because you knew Peyton was gonna be here?"
"Believe Brooke, I had no idea."
"This is only P. Sawyer's favorite place in town."
"You mean P. Peretz."
"What?"
"Peretz. She's not Sawyer anymore."
"Well aren't you the attentive one."
"Brooke, give me a break ok. Believe me when I say that I had no idea that Peyton was gonna be here, nonetheless with Russell. How the hell am I gonna know where she's gonna be 24/7?"
"Calm down Mr. Hottie. I believe you."
"Good. Now can we please order? I asked for the sampler as an appetizer. I hope you don't mind."
"Mozzarella sticks…are you kidding me? I love them and with Buffalo wings…even better."
Lucas got a smile out of Brooke and figured the night shouldn't be that bad. After an hour there, an appetizer and the main course eaten, Brooke was ready to leave. Lucas couldn't keep his eyes off of Peyton the whole night and wasn't prepared to leave without talking to her first.
He saw her get up to go the bathroom and he seized the opportunity to go after her, but not before hiding himself behind a waiter while he followed her. He waited for her to get out of the bathroom when he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a dark corner.
"We need to talk."
"What the hell? What is your problem?"
"What are you doing here tonight of all places?"
"This happens to be my favorite restaurant in town, Lucas."
"Yeah, I've already been informed of that. Did you see us at Karen's this afternoon?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Did you see Brooke and me at Karen's when we were making plans for tonight?"
"I don't go around stalking people for a living."
"Answer the damn question, Peyton!"
"Who the hell do you think you are yelling at me!"
"Just answer the question will ya."
"If I did, what does it mean to you, huh? Did you forget the little detail that I'm married and that you're the last person on earth that I want to be in this stupid corner and talking to?"
"I haven't forgotten that you're married, but I think you have."
Peyton laughs slightly and Lucas looks intensely into his eyes.
"Come on, Peyton, why don't you admit it first."
"Admit what?"
"That since I came back to Tree Hill you can't stop thinking about me just like I can't stop thinking of you."
"You've only been in town for a couple of days."
"And? That's more than enough time to fall back in love." Lucas gets closer to Peyton and makes her feel nervous. He lifts a hand and caress softly her face while he inches closer his lips. "Peyton, there was never a moment when I wasn't thinking of you. You've always been a constant in my life and now I finally know what it's like to not have you present."
"Lucas stop please."
"Stop what? What do you think is gonna happen?"
Peyton closes her eyes and Lucas teasingly rubs his lips against hers without making full contact. "I still love you, Peyt."
And with those three small words, Peyton felt her knees fall apart and into the arms of Lucas as she let him make full contact with her. He swept her in his arms and pushed her against the wall as they set the world on fire with one sweet kiss.