Chapter 28:

With a towel in hand, Haley continued to dry her hair as she left the bathroom and moved into the bedroom of the hotel. A smile nearly split her face in two when she noticed a larger suitcase sitting beside hers at the foot of the bed.

The owner of that suitcase slipped his arms around her waist from behind. "Hey there Gorgeous, I've missed you."

With a happy sigh, Haley dropped her towel and turned around in the circle of Dave's arms. "I've missed you too." She snuggled into his chest. "When did you get in?"

He kissed the top of her head, her wet hair making the scent of her shampoo stronger than normal to his senses. "About fifteen minutes ago. I didn't want to do the horror movie thing and scare you while you were in the shower, as much as I would have loved to join you."

She giggled and lifted her chin for a smooth, lazy kiss hello. "You're right; I probably would have screamed my head off if you did that. Something about being wet and naked makes a girl really vulnerable."

Dave chuckled. "So are you hungry?"

"I'm getting there. What did you have in mind?" She shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing fancy." She added as an after thought. "I'm so not in the mood to get dressed up. I'm perfectly happy in my jeans and Red Sox t-shirt."

He couldn't help himself, he kissed her again. "There's a Pub Ninety Nine across the street. Let's just go there."

She grinned at his suggestion. "Sounds perfect." She picked up her fallen towel. "Just let me throw my hair in a clip and we can go."

He watched her slip back into the bathroom and felt love swell within his chest. His girlfriend was essentially make-up free, hair still wet form her shower, wearing old jeans and an ancient Red Sox t-shirt that still read Garciapara across the back. His ex-wife would have spent an hour getting ready to hit a chain restaurant across the street, no matter how casual it was.

He closed his eyes, sighed and said a silent prayer that at tomorrow night's draft; they would end up on the same brand. He couldn't stand being away from her anymore.

With their hunger taken care of, Haley and Dave strolled out of the restaurant hand in hand. Any outside observer could tell they were a couple very much in love, but there was one in particular who was trying to place where she knew the petite brunette from.

"Haley?" A feminine voice called out, catching the couple's attention.

Haley paused and turned around to see who had spoken. Behind her stood a woman in her late-twenties, with a short mane of golden blonde hair, blue eyes and a surprised yet pleased expression on her face. It was face that stirred something in the memory of the Women's Champion, but she couldn't figure out from where.

"Yes?" Her eyebrow raised in confusion as she continued to study the mysterious woman, knowing that they had met before.

"You don't remember me, do you?" The blonde asked her smile still in place.

"No, I'm sorry." Haley shook her head. "You look really familiar, but I can't remember your face or where I know it from."

"I'm Claire Roberts." The blonde clarified, but when Haley continued to look skeptical, she went on. "I used to date Tim Mitchell."

The light bulb clicked on for Haley. "Oh my Gosh!" With a half laugh, she stepped forward to offer Claire a friendly hug. "I'm such an idiot. I'm sorry; I try to repress anything that involves Tim."

Claire giggled appreciatively. "Well, that's a good self-preservation tactic."

Haley grinned up at Dave. "Claire, this is my boyfriend, Dave. Dave, this is Claire, she used to go out with college boyfriend's best friend."

Claire and Dave shook hands civilly. "It's nice to meet you." The blonde turned to Haley again. "I almost didn't believe it was you, you look so different. But I had to ask."

"Well I'm glad you did, it's good to see you again." Haley said with a bright smile. "So what have you been up to, it's been years since I've seen you?"

Claire held up her left hand to reveal an engagement and wedding ring set. "Well, I got married last year and not to Tim."

"Congratulations!" Haley gushed like most women did over jewelry. "I'm glad it wasn't Tim, otherwise I'd have to offer condolences."

Claire laughed. "No, I met my guy when I sold him a house. I work in real estate and I found this wonderful house, it was my dream house, but I couldn't afford it at the time. Then I met Richard when I showcased it, and now it's my house anyway."

"Oh wow, that's such a cute story!" Haley sub-consciously squeezed Dave's hand.

"Yeah, so what about you? What have you been up to?" Claire returned the question.

"Well, I'm actually a WWE Diva now. I'm wrestling professional and currently hold the Women's belt." Haley explained. "I'm touring all over this country and some others. It's how I met Dave."

"Oh that's right!" Claire nodded. "I remember you talking about that when we'd go out. Well congrats on achieving your goal."

"Thank you." Haley shared a loving look with Dave. "I've definitely found everything I've ever wanted."

"That's great, Haley. I'm happy for you. Who needs those two losers we were shacked up with before?" Claire joked.

"I know." Haley rolled her eyes and laughed again. "Although you definitely had it worse with Tim 'the dolt' Mitchell."

"Yeah well, if the look of this one confirms anything, it's that you've always had better taste in men than I had." Claire chuckled. "Well, it was really good to see you again, Haley. We should get together again the next time you're in town. It'd be like college, without Tim's idiotic stunts."

"That sounds great." Haley agreed with enthusiasm as they exchanged numbers. "I'll call you next time I'm in the area."

"Perfect. It was nice meeting you Dave!" Claire waved before continuing on her way down the sidewalk.

"Nice meeting you too." Dave called after her before looking down at his girlfriend. "Tim's idiotic stunts?" He questioned.

"You don't even want to know." She laughingly assured him. "They were bad."

He pulled her against him. "You know I'd love to hear any and everything about you."

She leaned against him, completely content. "I know, it's why I love you so much."

"I love you too." He kissed her briefly before the couple made their way across the street and back to their hotel.