Chapter 7

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"No, no, this shirt is all wrong..." Brooke said. Nathan had been forced to put on about five different things.

"Look, Brooke...I appreciate your, um, kindness, but I think I got this."

Brooke sighed, "Just do the first outfit. It will be nice for the casual date you have planned,"

Nathan had really thought it over. Though on first dates, it was typical to show off and go to a fancy restaurant where you can't pronounce the food, and the bill would be half of his pay check, he didn't want to do that. It wasn't about the money, or the fact that he didn't care for places like that, if it would have made Haley pleased he would have done it in a heart beat, but he didn't think it would. She wasn't that kind of girl. He was going to pick her up, and take her out to eat in a small, local restaurant where the food was great, and they could walk on the beach after and talk. Haley had loved the idea when he told her about it.

He put a casual polo shirt, blue and a pair of jeans, and headed downstairs. He saw Sawyer and bent down to her level to give her a kiss.

"Daddy is going to go out with a friend tonight, you be good for Aunt Brooke. I might get home past your bedtime, so I'll see you tomorrow."

Sawyer kissed him back and said goodbye, as did Brooke, and he left.

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Haley had decided what to wear. She was not one of those girls who went out of her way to look good, she always chose comfort over appearance. She picked a jean skirt out, it was shorter then what she usually wore and could only remember wearing it once or twice. They were going to the beach though, a perfect occasion to wear it. She loved walking on the beach at night, it was very romantic. She put the skirt on. She first put a white undershirt on, then a white v-neck shirt over it. Her hair was down and straight, she pulled it back into a half pony tail and decided she was ready. Grabbing her purse she headed downstairs into the kitchen. Lucas was still there. He was reading a book in the living room.

"Wow...Haley, you look great, "Lucas told her.

She smiled, "Thanks...you don't think it's too short?"

"It's fine. You look good."

"Thanks. What are you reading?"

"An unpublished novel by one of my student's, it's still untitled as of right now, he wanted my suggestions on it."

"Oh. Sounds good."

The doorbell rang. Lucas got up as well.

"What are you doing?"

"Just wanted to come and introduce myself," Lucas smiled.

Great. Just great.

Haley came and opened the door, Lucas behind her.

"Hi Nathan," Haley said, "Oh, this is my best friend Lucas,"

"Nice to meet you Lucas," Nathan said.

"You too. Well you two have fun tonight, I have to get going," Lucas said. He headed back into the living room.

Haley walked out to the car where of course Nathan opened the door for her. All ready he was making an impression. They took the ten minute drive discussing mostly small talk.

They arrived at the restaurant. It was a seafood restaurant. You ordered outside, got a number and went in and sat down at a picnic like table. They got their food quickly and sat down across from each other. Nathan hadn't been able to help himself in line, it was hard not to stare at Haley in her short skirt. He had never seen her dressed outside of school, and it was a great sight. It wasn't trashy, but it was just enough.

"You look great tonight," Nathan told her.

Haley smiled, "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." It was corny to say, but it was the truth. He was gorgeous.

They ate, as they ate the sun had completely gone out of sight. When they were finished, they headed onto the beach. They walked along the water, and Nathan went and grabbed her hand. It felt sort of like high school love again for both of them, it had been years since either of them went on a date, and every small detail mattered. Haley's hand in Nathan's felt perfect. They started to talk about everything. Nathan admitted how much he had loved basketball, and had planned to play for Duke, but then Peyton got pregnant.

"That is what makes you such an amazing father, you sacrificed yourself for your child,"

"Yeah, some days I just miss it, you know?"

"Yeah...well have you ever thought of maybe coaching? I mean, little kids and stuff, they are always looking for things like that, locally and such."

"Yeah. It would be nice to play again. So, did you have any crazy dreams when you were younger, or did you always want to teach?"

"Well...I always did enjoy teaching. I was a tutor all of high school, and it was amazing. The thought of being able to do that everyday...it was great. I did love singing though. I was in a band in college, I was one of the lead singers, we did a lot of local gigs, and I was offered a chance to go on tour, but I couldn't leave college mid-semester, for a chance like that...so I finished school. I want to go back in the next year or so for my masters, I want to teach high school English, I just need to save up some money first."

"That sound like a good plan." Nathan told her.

"What do you for for work? I am not sure if you mentioned it before," Haley said

"Well...I didn't go to college right away. My dad owns a company, he started me off there from the bottom, my mom would help me with Sawyer, and I worked there. Now, I am a sales manager, just from on the job training and such. It's not bad, my father pays me well more then I should be making, and if he retires, I guess I'll take over. It wasn't what I wanted. I've taken some night classes, and I am about ready for an associates in business. "

"Do you have any brother's or sisters?" Haley asked.

Nathan thought about this question. Somewhere in the world he did have a brother, but he didn't know him, so it didn't count. "No. I was an only child of my mother and father. They had me very young, first year of college. What about you?"

Haley smiled, "Yes. I have lots. I was the youngest. They all moved. My parent's moved. I'm kind of all alone here. All of the older kids had moved on, I was the last one. When I went away to college my parent's went on this crazy RV trip, and finally settled in California, where one of my sisters, and brother's lives, the ones that have kids. I kind of had no one after college. Sometimes I feel very alone." Haley admitted.

"Well not all alone, you have Lucas, and you have...well I mean, I would like to do this again."

Haley smiled, "I would like that as well."

"I guess we should get going.."

"What time is it?" Haley asked.

"Almost eleven,"

"Wow...we have been on the beach for two hours, it didn't seem that long." He held his hand out, and pulled her up. They got into the car, and took the drive back. Nathan pulled into her driveway, and opened her door again, and walked her to the front door. He brought her to the doorstep.

Haley didn't follow most of the rules, but she didn't want to kiss on the first date, as they stood there for a moment, not sure which was this would go, Haley reached in for a hug.

"Thank you for dinner, and everything, it was an amazing night."

"Thanks for coming."

"Are you free Wednesday night?" Haley asked.

"I guess I could be, if someone will watch Sawyer, I am sure it could be arranged. Why?"

"Well, Lucas teaches at the college that night, a night class. I could cook dinner, if you wanted to come over..."

Nathan nodded, "Yeah. Sure, that would be great."

"I'll see you Monday." Haley told him, and then entered the house. Nathan headed to the car, after just one date, he was crazy about her.

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A/N: I am sorry I went so long without an update! I am working on the next chapter, really, and it should be up later today. Hope that everyone is enjoying this!