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Chapter 18

I woke up early the next day. I had a very good nights rest in Nathan's arms, something I had yet to try until last night. I turned around in his arms, careful not to wake him. He looked so peaceful when he slept. It was cute how his hair was all over the place! He even had a faint smile on his face. I wonder what he's dreaming about...

I bring my hand up to his face, lightly brushing my fingers down his cheek. How is it that this caring, smart, funny, handsome man wants to be with me? How is it that this perfect guy doesn't just want me for sex? "How did I get so lucky?" I asked myself outloud.

He started to stir. Suddenly brown met blue. His eyes were a little hazed, but they adjusted quickly. His smile grew. "If only I could wake up like this everyday," he said and pulled me closer, kissing me softly.

I laughed. "Oh, yeah? What ways that?"

He grinned. "With the most beautiful girl in the world staring down at me, wondering how she is the lucky one! I'm the lucky one," he replied and kissed me again, this time with more pressure.

I let myself go and kissed him back with all the passion I could muster. Air became an issue and we pulled back. He kissed my nose and then got out of bed. "And where is it you think you're going?"

He laughed slightly. "I think that you and I are the only ones up and I'm going to make breakfast for your family. Sound okay to you, missy?"

I smiled and nodded. "Do you need any help, my wonderful boyfriend?" I asked making my way over to him.

He looked pensive. "I guess you couldn't hurt anything," he joked and we both got dressed and headed out to the kitchen. "Do you know where anything is, Hales?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

He listed off a few things and I found them for him and brought them to the stove. He kissed me when he had everything. "You're an angel! Now, why don't you go take a shower and it'll be all ready when you come out, okay?" I nodded, kissed him one last time and then went to take a shower.

I came out about a half hour later. I walked into mine and Nathan's room and got dressed. I pulled my hair back and then made my way to the kitchen. Larry and Peyton were sitting down eating eggs, sausage and bacon. I looked and saw Nathan cooking more eggs. Larry was the one to speak up. "Haley, can I keep Nathan here with me?"

I laughed. "You'd have to ask Nathan that question," I said and walked over to Nate. I kissed him on the cheek.

"How bout it, Nate?" Larry asked.

Nathan wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forhead. He shook his head. "I've gotta be with Haley at her apartment. Brooke, Lucas and Haley wouldn't be able to live without me there to cook."

I smiled. "I can cook! I just like when you do better," I said and they all laughed at me.

"Well, then you keep him around, Haley. I like him," Larry said and then stood up. "Well, I've gotta go to work. I'll be back later tonight."

We said our goodbyes and he left. Peyton patted the seat next to her. "Come on and sit with me, Haleybub. Enjoy this wonderful breakfast."

Nathan grinned. "Peyton, stop with the compliments! It's my pleasure to make breakfast. It's the least I could do for you letting us stay here."

She waved him off. "Nonsense. You're practically family now, Nathan. You knew we weren't going to let you leave and spend money on a hotel when we have enough room for you!"

I smiled at her. "We really do appreciate it, Peyton."

She nodded. "I know. Now, you two hurry up and eat. We've got a lot to do today. I've got to show you around, have you meet a couple of people."

We quickly ate and got ready. I was anxious to see what Peyton had been up to since I left. She said we had some people to meet and I got worried. What if they are my replacement? What if they take the spot in Peyton's life that I used to have?

We were in her car driving into town. She parked and we got out and started walking around. "Okay, first we have to stop by Thud magazine. I do a little comic strip there and I want to drop off one for the next issue. After that I'll show you around my club, Tric, and then we'll meet up with some of my friends for lunch. Sound good?"

I nodded. "Sounds real good, goldilocks! Lets get going!" I said and Nathan just nodded in response to her.

We only walked a few blocks to the magazines office. "Hey, Jeff! I brought my new sketches."

"Hey, Peyton. Go ahead and give them to John," the man replied and then looked to us. "Who are your friends, Peyt?"

"Oh, this is Haley James and Nathan Scott. Guys, this is Jeff Nelson, the editor for THUD magazine," she introduced.

He shook both our hands. "It's nice to meet you both. Well, I've got some work I've got to get to, but you give those to John and I'll see you later," he said and walked into what I assumed to be his office.

"He seems nice," I commented.

She nodded. "Yeah, he's a good guy. Well, I'm going to go give this to John, I'll be right back."

We just nodded and stayed put. "How cool is this? I would love to work for a magazine. Have millions of people reading what I write about," I said, looking around the office.

"That would be awesome," Nathan commented. "I didn't know you wanted to work for a magazine. When you said writer I assumed novels."

I looked at him and smiled. "Who says I can't do both? Like Larry said, I'm an overachiever. I'll be many things when I'm all done with school. I'll be a novelist, teacher, maybe do short stories in a magazine like Peyton does with her drawings. I'll do everything," I said.

"You'll be great at whatever you do, Miss Haley James. You're truely amazing," he said, pulling me close. He leaned down and kissed me.

"I leave you two alone for 2 minutes and you start making out!" Peyton interupted. Now I needed to have a talk with this girl. It was bad enough I had Brooke to interupt us, but now Peyton, too? "Let's get going! We've got lots to do, lots of people to see!"

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