A/N: This is for everyone who has replied to the last chapter...and who has speculated on who the mystery date is...I think you will be pleasantly surprised. lol. So drop me a reply after you've read this chapter...because the more replies the quicker the next chapter...that is going to be an absolute shocker! Always!

Chapter 14

Haley carefully made her way down the stairs and saw the black limo stretched out in front of her. She opened the door and as she looked at her date her breath caught in her throat and she felt butterflies.

"You...you're my mystery date?" she asked in disbelief and her date smirked as he stepped out of the car and Haley could see him better. Haley stared at him, unable to believe her own eyes.

"This...this isn't possible..." Haley continued and he laughed.

"Why? Why is it so impossible?" he asked curiously with a big grin plastered over his face.

"Because...you're...you're HIM!" she said and he laughed again.

"I love being know as HIM..." he joked and Haley blushed.

"You're...you're..." Haley tried but her mind had suddenly done blank.

"James Lafferty. Pleased to meet you." James said and Haley blushed again.

"Haley Scott. Pleased to meet you to. Sorry for..." Haley introduced herself and James interrupted.

"It's okay...I kinda have that affect on people." he joked and Haley smiled unable to believe that THE James Lafferty was here...as her mystery date. James shook her hand and they both climbed into the back of the limo.

After a few minutes of silence Haley decided to ask the question she was burning to ask.

"Why...why did you agree to this...it's obviously not for the publicity?"

James stared at her thoughtfully and Haley almost regretted asking the question.

"Truthfully?" he asked after a long silence.

"Truthfully." she agreed and James sighed.

"When Brooke first called me I wasn't really sure about it...I mean in my line of work you always have to be careful. Then I talked to Lucas at one of our charity games and the way he talked about you just...interested me." James explained and Haley could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Oh...and what did he say?" Haley asked already embarrassed.

"A lot...but what caught my attention was with how much passion he talked about you...how interesting he made you sound. How loved you are by everyone for everything you do...how honestly good you are...you don't get a lot of people like that anymore."

"Lucas really should learn to keep his mouth shut."

"Yeah...he should...but one thing I realised is how much he cares about you and how he hates to see you hurt."

"I know...I couldn't ask for a better best friend or brother-in-law." Haley admitted.

"Yeah...from what I've heard he's a good guy...very protective of you right?" James asked.

"A lot more than anyone thinks...he has this way to pretend not to care but he's always looking out for me." Haley replied and James nodded his head.

"I understand...I'm also very protective of my family." James admitted.

"But you're different you can afford body guards to protect them." Haley said and soon regretted it.

"Sorry...I didn't mean..." she started but was interrupted by James.

"No it's okay you're right...but that doesn't mean I want to...I'd rather protect them by myself." James said with no hint of anger in his voice. Haley looked into his eyes.

"I understand. Nathan always said the same thing when..." Haley let her sentence trail and James nodded.

"You're husband's reasons for leaving must have been very good if he had to leave his most prized possession." James shared his view, shocking Haley.

"You know about Nathan?" Haley asked surprised.

"When I was talking to Lucas it came into our conversation when he threatened to kill me if I tried to make a move on his married best friend. I asked how your husband felt about this and it kinda came out. It's okay...we don't have to talk about it. You should just know that you're husband must love you very much to do what he is doing." James explained and Haley looked at him with wide-eyes.

"Thank you." she said with all honesty and he smiled.

"You know...you remind me of him. He always smirks like you do... I think you could be twins." she said and he laughed.

"Yeah, that's all I need...the press will have a field day with that." he said and they both laughed.

James looked out of the window and smiled again.

"We're here." he announced as he turned back towards her.

"And where is here?" she asked curiously.

"You'll see...I have to keep something a mystery." James replied and she smiled.

When the limo came to a stop James climbed out first and he held his hand out to Haley who took it gracefully and carefully stepped out of the car. When she finally glanced at where she was she was shocked to a complete stand still. They were standing on the beach...there was a blanket spread out on the sand with a picnic basket. James noticed Haley's big smile and he smiled to.

"I thought we could have a late and private picnic." James explained and Haley turned to him.

"It was a great idea...just wish you told me so I didn't have to waste this pretty dress you bought me!" she said as she took of her shoes and ran to the blanket. James looked at her confused about why she thought he bought the dress...but soon it flew over and he ran after her.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

After about two hours of talking like old friends they both realised it was time to go home. So they packed everything up and climbed back into the limo.

"Thank you James for this wonderful evening...I haven't had so much fun in a long time." Haley admitted and James smirked.

"The pleasure is all mine." he said and Haley smiled.

"Can I quickly see your phone?" he asked out of the blue and she nodded as she gave it to him. James pressed a few buttons, fiddled here and there and gave it back with a smile.

"What did you do?" Haley asked confused yet interested.

"Uhm...I added my number to you phone...this is gonna sound corny but I want us to be friends." James replied and Haley could swear she saw a blush creep up his cheeks.

"It doesn't sound corny...I want us to be friends to." Haley said and he smiled.

"That's my personal number...so yeah don't go telling everybody." James said with a mock threatening voice and Haley laughed.

"You know...you really have a beautiful smile...you smile more often." Haley smiled and blushed at his comment. James smiled as he grabbed his sunglasses and put them on.

"Why do you always where glasses? They cover your eyes...and your eyes are to beautiful and intense to cover by tinted glass. Your eyes are the window to your soul." Haley said with passion. James considered it for a moment before he took of his glasses and smiled.

"You're right...I guess since I have to do it for the paparazzi it's kinda become a part of me. My gran use to say that you could read a person's soul through their eyes...that their eyes can't lie."

"So...what can you read in mine?" Haley asked interested.

James shifted closer to Haley and they stared into each other's eyes.

"You're sweet and sophisticated, caring and kind. But I see sadness...a glint of hurt and regret...but I also see strength...the will to carry on." James started.

"Mostly I see love in your eyes. Love for your family, love for your friends...and undying, unwavering love for your husband. I look at you Haley Scott...and I see how everyone wishes the world to be."

A/N: Hee hee! You weren't expecting that one! I think no-one saw that twist coming...not even me! I only saw it after I had finished writing it! Well if you can't have Nathan...James is so much better. Like I said...chapter 15 will only come to those who replies!