Haley James sipped her iced water with lemon as she flipped through the Bonefish Grill restaurant's menu. Although both were in sync with one another, she insisted on glancing from her watch to the clock on the wall. The undisputed time was ten after noon. As of late, Haley had become obsessed with time, a probable product of pre wedding jitters. Anyway, her lunch companion was definitely late but before she could get too bent out of shape, she saw the blonde entering the building.

"Hey," Peyton said as Haley stood and the two long time friends embraced.

"Hey."

"I'm late. Sorry."

"I can forgive you this time," Haley grinned. "I'm just glad you made it. I know you've been in town for a few days now and both our schedules are so crazy I was afraid we were never gonna get together. How have you been?"

Peyton rolled her eyes.

"I'm okay," she answered.

But Haley knew her too well and was not convinced. The waiter interrupted and after the women ordered Saucy Shrimp, Pan Asian, Island Rice and a bottle of wine, it was down to business.

"That okay wasn't very convincing. What's going on, Peyt? It's been a while so talk to me."

Peyton sighed.

"Where do I begin?"

"At the beginning maybe? I have nothing but time so for the rest of the afternoon I am all yours."

"Gosh, I don't even know what to say. I mean, your wedding is coming up and that's a really awesome thing for you and Nathan. I don't want to be a downer. I think we should keep the focus on that."

"I appreciate it but everything, as stressful as it is, is amazingly on track with my wedding. And Nathan and I are great. This is a really wonderful time in my life and I'm happy. But I know at the same you have a lot of stuff going in your life. Peyton, we've always been there for each other and nothing is going to change that ever. I'm still here for you and I want to know what's going on in your life, good or bad."

"Shall I start with the good or bad then?" Peyton teased.

"Want to start with Lucas?"

"May as well."

"How is he?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. I thought he'd be here by now, he was supposed to be but I haven't talked to him since right before I left New York."

"You guys okay?"

Peyton took a sip of wine.

"Really we are. I know that may be hard to believe or whatever but it's the truth. We're getting a divorce but we've always communicated and stayed in touch and tried our best to handle this like mature, rational adults. The last thing I want is problems or animosity with Luke."

"I know. But that's the thing. That's what makes this all the harder to take in, Peyt. You and Lucas have always been so good together. You guys had like the perfect marriage almost."

"Nothing is perfect, Haley."

"I know but you get what I mean. It just seemed like you two really had it together, like you were really in love. There was no cheating or no nasty fights, this whole separation thing just came out of the blue."

"It wasn't out of the blue. We'd been growing apart for a while, it just took a long time to realize it and step up. But I'm glad we did. I know what I want from my life. And I want to be happy, too. Lucas and I both deserve that even if it isn't with each other."

"So you guys really are still friends?"

"Always. We talk all the time, too."

"But the divorce will be final soon?"

"Very soon. The sale of the beach house just got finalized yesterday. I tried calling the house in the city and his cell but I didn't get an answer on either. I left a couple of voice mails. I hope he gets back to me soon or at least gets in town. There are still some things we both have to sign."

"It's been pretty weird," Haley sighed. "I had been calling him and calling him as well. It's not like Luke to not get back to people but Nathan got a hold of him the other day finally."

"Is he okay? What did he say?"

"Not much but that he will be in town soon. Nathan thought that he sounded really busy."

"That's probably the case. He has a lot going on with his contract with the publishing company."

"I am so proud of him. I still can't believe it…my Buddy a rich and famous writer."

"Lucas deserved it. He's really good."

"I know. So that takes care of all the soon to be ex husband business. If Lucas isn't stressing you out, what is?"

Peyton frowned.

"My dad."

"Larry?"

"You mean Casanova?"

"Uh oh. What happened?"

"He has a girlfriend, you know."

"No, I didn't know but I think it's kind of sweet. Look, I know he's your dad and him seeing someone after all this time could be a little strange but he is human and he does have needs. It's been a long time. Don't you think he deserves some happiness?"

"Yeah and that doesn't bother me."

"What does?"

"Where do I start?"

"What's her name?"

"Audrey," Peyton huffed.

"Tell me all about Audrey."

Peyton didn't know much, only what Larry had told her. After the initial night, she had spent most of her time avoiding her father, his live in girlfriend and her daughter. She repeated the entire story of the fateful night she had arrived to Haley.

"…And there you have it."

"Wow," was all a stunned Haley could say.

"Dude, you might want to pick your jaw up off the floor. I know it took me a few days."

"She lives there?"

"Oh yeah."

"And you're totally freaking out?"

"I guess. But you know me. I handle it the Peyton way. I just block it out."

"How living under the same roof?"

"I don't. I've been staying at my beach house."

"You mean the beach house you and Lucas just sold?"

Peyton exhaled.

"Yeah, that would be the one. So now it looks like I'm hotel bound."

"Don't do that, Peyton."

"It's fine."

"You have to deal with the situation sometime, besides, it's not just gonna go away and I'm sure all the tension is really hurting your dad."

"I know but I need time, Haley."

"Well, at least come to the townhouse with Nathan and me."

"No way. I couldn't do that."

"Why not? Nathan would not mind."

"I mind. You guys are gonna be newlyweds soon. And you're doing all that cool stuff that pre newlyweds do, including all the hot rabbit sex. I don't want to intrude."

"Don't be silly. It's no intrusion. I have missed you and it will be fun."

"Haley…"

"I insist and you know how headstrong I am. Besides, it's like bad luck or something to antagonize the bride so just shut up and do what I say."

There was no use in arguing with Haley James. It was always a lose lose situation.

"Fine but just for a little while…"

"A little while until you figure out how to deal with your dad. Look, I know he hurt you."

"He did. He's my dad and that's why it's so shocking. I mean, why couldn't he just be straight with me? I feel so betrayed in so many ways. I hate him keeping such important stuff from me. I hate the fact that he has this new life and new family without me. It's such a whack situation on so many levels."

"It'll get better. Maybe you just need a time out."

"Maybe," Peyton grumbled.

"Hopefully the wedding will be a welcome distraction."

"Definitely. And since I am the Maid of Honor, I'll be needing a list of all my honorly duties. I got fitted for my gown and all that good stuff and I'm so on top of the whole wedding shower thing. Besides getting cheesy male strippers for your bachelorette party, I need to know what else to do."

Haley laughed out loud.

"Just keep me sane. Anything else that comes up along the way, I'll let you know and by the way, kudos on the male strippers. I knew I picked you as my Maid of Honor for a reason."

"This is gonna be fun. I'm really excited for you, Haley. You and Nathan are so great together."

"Thank you. I'm excited too but there is something else I wanted to talk to you about…"

"Shoot."

"Um, it's about Brooke."

Peyton closed her eyes. Brooke Davis, her former best friend. The subject was bound to come up sooner or later.

"What about her?"

"You haven't talked to her in a while, have you?"

Peyton nodded.

"Years. We lost touch pretty much during senior year of high school."

"You know she moved back to town?"

"I heard. She opened up a dance school or something."

"Yeah and it's really great. She lives downtown not too far from Market Street and her boyfriend, Cameron came out with her. He's a great guy."

"I'm glad. I only ever wished the best for Brooke. It sounds like she really has it together. I'm happy if she's happy."

"So I take it you haven't run into her?"

"I haven't run into anyone. Not Jake or Brooke or anyone from the old gang. Pretty much I've been handling business, keeping to myself."

"She's gonna be at the wedding. In fact, Brooke is a bridesmaid."

"Okay."

"Okay? I mean, are you sure?"

"Haley, what am I supposed to be sure about? Besides, it's your wedding."

"I know but I just want everyone to be okay. You're my friend and my Maid of Honor. You're gonna be there. Lucas is my best friend, my future brother in law and Nathan's Best Man. He's going to be there. Brooke is also my friend and bridesmaid and she will be there. But you and Lucas are in the middle of a divorce. And you came between Lucas and Brooke ten years ago. You and Brooke haven't seen each other or spoken in years and neither have Brooke and Lucas, even though he pledged his love for her before she left. Now her man is here and he'll be at the wedding too."

Peyton couldn't help but giggle.

"Haley?"

"Yeah?"

"You said all that in like one sentence. Breathe."

"Sorry," Haley apologized. "Just the whole thought kind of makes me nervous. I know it has been a long time for everyone and I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I just see potential for drama or at least tension. I don't want that for my friends and I especially don't want it on my wedding day."

"I can understand that. Hopefully, time heals all wounds or at least that's what they say. Honestly, Haley I don't know how it's going to be but we're all mature adults now and no one wants to ruin you and Nathan's special day. Lucas and I are fine, I already told you. And Brooke and I didn't exactly leave it on a bad note. I also don't see a problem with Brooke and Lucas. Obviously she has moved on and I just don't see a big blow up ahead or anything."

"Really?"

"Really. Look, I get where you're coming from but I really think everything is going to be okay. Just relax and quit worrying about everyone else. Take care of yourself and enjoy everything that's happening now."

Haley took a deep breath.

"You're right, Peyton. See? You're doing a fine job already keeping me sane."

"My pleasure," she laughed as their food arrived.

Peyton poured more wine in their glasses as they lifted them for a toast.

"To us," Haley said.

"To us. And to you and Nathan. And to a drama free reunion."

Haley clinked glasses and drank a sip of wine, forcing a smile. She appreciated the toast but could only pray that Peyton was right. Drama free? That phrase had never applied when it came to their clique. Wanting to believe and hope for the best, she was secretly, mentally preparing herself for the worst. Something told her before the big day happened, things would start off with a dramatic bang before they started off smoothly without a hitch.