Nathan's P.O.V.

I had gone for a swim, showered and changed when I heard the doorbell.

I went downstairs, realizing my parents were gone and opened the door to see Rachel standing there.

"Hi," I said quickly. I was worried she would almost be able to see that I had cheated on her.

"Hey stud," she grinned, before leaning in to kiss me.

On instinct, I smiled and turned so that her kiss hit my cheek. She pulled back to look at me with a confused expression.

I turned around and walked toward the doorway, "come on in."

Rachel shut the door behind her and followed me down the hallway into the kitchen.

"So, where are your parents?" she asks.

"Uh, not sure really. They were here earlier and I guess they left while I was upstairs."

Rachel took a step toward me, wrapping her arms around my neck, "so you're telling me, we have the whole house all to ourselves."

I half smile, my brain struggling to find some sort of excuse as quickly as possible to get us both out of there.

"Uh, yeah I guess you could say that…but I was actually on my way out," I explain quickly.

"So, change your plans," Rachel says seductively.

"I uh, I can't, Rach, I'm sorry, I need to go help Karen – at the cafe," I reply. I know I sound like an idiot but she caught me really off guard.

I had planned it all out – I planned to stop by Karen's Café to meet up with Haley. I knew she was working this afternoon and thought maybe I could catch her on a break to talk about everything.

Rachel looked at me confused, "oh, really, Karen? You're helping Karen?"

"Yes, she needed some boxes moved and I uh, I told her I would help out."

Rachel smiled, "okay, well in that case. I'll just come with you then…I haven't eaten lunch yet."

I blew out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding – this situation was not going the way I needed it to.

"Uh, Rachel, maybe you and I can just meet up afterwards?"

"Don't be silly, I don't mind going…in fact, I'd love to go with you…I'll even drive…If you're not going to seduce me in your parents' big empty house, the least you can do is buy me lunch, right?" Rachel winked.

She was out the front door and down the walk, heading to her Denali before I could even respond.

I closed my eyes, cursing myself internally and followed her out to her car.

Haley's P.O.V.

The afternoon rush was just settling down and I was getting the last of three tables cleaned.

"You doing alright Haley?" Karen asked from her place behind the counter, watering plants.

"Yep, I got it," I smiled.

This part of my life was actually a source of comfort – when I came to back to work for Karen, it was like stepping back into my former life, before things had gotten so complicated -- that and the fact it kept my mind off Nathan.

Just then, the bell above the door jingled.

"I'll be right with you," I called over my shoulder, not looking at the patrons as I wiped the table clean with a rag.

I turned a second later to see that the 'patrons' I had just greeted were none other than Rachel and Nathan.

"Hi Nathan," Karen said from the counter.

"Uh, hey!" Nathan said, eager to see Karen and quickly made his way to the counter.

"Hi Haley," Rachel said, her tone an even mix of boredom and annoyance.

"Hi Rachel," I said, politely.

I could see that Nathan was speaking to Karen in a quiet voice and she clearly looked confused.

I was filled with anger and frustration – how could he bring his girlfriend to my place of work, especially after walking out on me this morning?! He knew that I would be here on Saturday – I worked every Saturday! I did my best to keep it in check but I could feel that this work shift was about to feel so much longer than normal.

Unbeknownst to me at the time –

"Karen, how's it going?" Nathan said, rushing up to the counter.

"Good, how are you Nathan?" Karen replied with a smile.

"Alright—listen, I came here to help with boxes…the ones you mentioned before," Nathan said with a pleading look.

Karen furrowed her brow, "boxes?"

"Yeah, I need to run in the back with you to help you with those heavy boxes," Nathan's eyebrows lifted and he tried to gesture toward Rachel with his eyes.

Karen was utterly confused, "um…okay, follow me."

She clearly knew something was going on but had no real idea. The two headed to the stockroom.

"So, are you two here for lunch?" I ask, confused as I watch Nathan follow Karen to the stockroom.

Rachel shrugged, "Yeah, he needed to help Karen and then he was going to treat me to lunch…what's good here?"

I showed her to the nearest table and handed her a menu. "Depends on what you like – we have good salads and soups – but we also have entrees as well."

Rachel looked over the menu. "I'll just have a water," she said, not looking up.

I nodded as I made my way back to the counter. I could hear hushed voices in the stockroom.

I walked toward the partially open door to hear a little better. I couldn't help it the curiosity had taken over!

"Nathan, please don't play games with her," I could hear Karen's muffled voice.

"Karen, I promise you that I'm not playing games," Nathan replied.

"Well, you should just go back out there now…I will see that she gets this," Karen said.

"Thanks Karen, I appreciate it," Nathan said.

I jumped away from the stockroom door and within seconds, the two of them were coming back out.

"Hey Haley," Nathan said, rushing past me and over to the booth.

I just gave Karen a confused look and she only shrugged and half smiled.

"I'm supposed to give you this," she said, her voice above a whisper, handing me a folded note before walking back out to greet a new customer who had just come in.

I shook my head, opening the folded paper:

Hales,

I came here to talk to you – clearly now, I won't be able to…meet me at the Rivercourt after your shift.

Nathan

I folded the paper, slipping it into my pocket and took Rachel's water back with me.

I set the water down on the table as I asked if they had been able to look over the menu. Rachel still couldn't be bothered to look up from the menu as Nathan gave me a warm smile as he ordered his meal.

"Uh, I don't know – nothing really sounds good to me," Rachel said. "Maybe just a side salad with fat-free balsamic on the side…gotta watch my figure," Rachel said as she winked at Nathan.

I just took the menus and walked back up to the counter to put in their orders.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. I went from being the wife to the 'other woman.'

After last night, for Nathan to bring Rachel to the café, it just didn't make sense. Was he still so bitter that he would do this just to hurt me?

It was certainly clear that Nathan hadn't told Rachel about us and he obviously hadn't broken up with her.

Maybe we can talk after my shift and I can get some answers…because right now, I just don't know what to think.