Back with the final update for this short-story. Thanks to those of you that followed along and read it. :)

Chapter 10

'Hi honey..' Karen said as she came in behind the bar observing her son amusedly. 'You're still here.'

Nathan glanced up. He wasn't working today but had ended up helping out with the renovations regardless. 'Well yea there's lots to be done I thought you could use my help.'

'A little birdie told me Haley was back today.'

Nathan couldn't help but roll his eyes. 'Let me guess was that little birdie one of those annoying chirpy ones that goes by the name Lucas.'

Karen just laughed. 'Oh come on honey I know Lucas got christened with the broody nickname junior year but you're really giving him a run for his money lately.' She teased.

'Are you trying to make me feel worse?'

'See there's that pout again.'

Nathan just glared at her before he pulled himself away from the bar and stalked back over to where some of the construction workers had already started with the foundation for the extension. He sighed as he looked at the layout plan for the bar expansion, his eyes glossing over not even focusing on it as he thought about her.

Haley.

God did he miss her.

It had been two weeks since he'd seen her that night at Brooke's birthday.

He knew she had a planned a trip back to New Bern but he hated being left in the dark about whether she'd even want to see him again or when she was coming home.

At least now he knew she was back. He just didn't know what to do with that piece of information right now.

Nathan sighed slipping his phone out of jean pocket tilting the screen to see that he had in fact no missed calls or texts from the one person he longed to hear from. Who was he kidding? It's not like she was going to reach out first even though it was in her nature.

He'd let her walk away from him believing what she believed. And it was the truth. Or maybe it had been at the time. He was an idiot for being so afraid to just try it with her. A relationship. The more he thought about it, the more it sounded like the one thing he never realised he had wished for. Haley changed that.

Nathan quickly put his phone back into his pocket when he noticed Lucas approaching. He swore he wore that same look on his face that their mum did. It was probing. Nathan couldn't help but roll his eyes at it. 'You and mum conspiring about me again?' He'd caught the two of them throughout the week whispering behind the bar, sending him sly smiles, each attempting snippets of the same conversation with him.

'Man I haven't seen you check your phone that much in well….forever.' Lucas commented.

''Well why don't you go back and tell mum I was just looking at it?' Nathan quipped sarcastically.

'Oh come on Nate it is kind of funny to see the shoe on the other foot.'

'And what's that supposed to mean?'

'All the women you leave hanging not even a text, now at least you know how they feel, maybe even you can relate…' Lucas teased more ducking his head as Nathan pegged the nearest thing within reach which happened to be a roll of masking tape.

'I'm not waiting on a text.' Nathan gritted out annoyed at himself for even letting Lucas' words get to him like that, it just showed he was right after all.

Lucas sighed; his brother even more stubborn than he realised. 'But let's say hypothetically you wanted to talk to Haley, she mentioned something about a move night later, she's a little jet lagged from the travel so let's say if I had younger brother that's also Haley's friend, possibly more…'

'Ok Luke I get it…..but Haley's not going to want to see me.' Nathan admitted softly then.

'It's your call. I'm going over to Brooke's anyway.'

'But Haley's just back…'

'Yea she might be a little lonely.' Lucas said as he slipped in hands into his jeans and walked away.

Nathan caught the smug smirk on his brother's face. He should have felt annoyed at him for pulling one on him like that but he also felt kind of happy which was strange. he'd struggled himself with the fact he wasn't good enough for a girl like Haley and yet Lucas was pushing him to be with his best friend. That meant a lot.

XXXXX

Nathan walked down the hallway that was much too short right now towards her apartment. He lowered the bag leaving it out of sight and then raised his fist to the door before shakily placing it down again berating himself. What was it with this place and every time he came to this door h reverted to a fumbling schoolboy coupled with the feeling that he was about to hurl. Even those horrendous training sessions with Dan when he was young never made him feel this nauseous and that was saying a lot.

Nathan blew out a few breath trying to focus his mind back on the words he needed to say to her. And with such impeccable timing those words seemed lost in the haze of excitement building within him at seeing her again.

Before he could practically bolt Nathan knocked his fist on the door a couple of times feeling his heart reverberate loudly in his ears. Nathan blew out another breath when he heard her voice rambling before she'd even opened the door.

'Ok Luke how did you manage to survive when I wasn't…..' Haley opened the door then with a big knowing smile before it completely dropped from her face .'Here….' She said softly as she saw the other Scott brother staring back at her, the one she thought she'd at least have a day to prepare herself with seeing again, the one who looked absolutely fucking drop dead gorgeous now standing in front of her in a simple blue sweater and low rise jeans, his hair looked sharper than before - he'd definitely cut it she noted and it just seemed to make his features stand out even more.

Dammit if he wasn't the most delicious man she ever laid eyes on. This was so much easier in her head. It was so much easier to slot him there with the other ones that weren't meant to be when she wasn't physically near him.

Nathan knew he was standing like a mute but that haze that just seemed to be clouding his brain got even foggier, like a blanket of cloud now as he took her in relishing in that shy Haley like way she scrambled at the sleeves of her navy Hollister sweatshirt and shuffled from one foot to another drawing his attention to her legs in matching navy cotton shorts. Fuck.

'What are you doing here Nathan?'

His eyes finally met her face then and he actually felt himself blushing a little for so overtly checking her out which was something he'd never apologise for with a women before. Strike 1 Nathan. So much for acting normal. Realising then and there that if there was ever time for not acting normal it would be now because everything he was feeling in her vicinity certainly wasn't normal. Words Nathan. Words. Haley was beginning to give him a funny look now. Just great. Make a complete ass of yourself before you even get inside to talk.

'I wanted to see you.' He admitted softly then swallowing hard again. She obviously needed more than that.

Haley's gaze dropped momentarily before he spoke again. 'Can we talk Haley?'

She sighed softly running her hand through her wavy brunette locks. 'Nathan I'm just a little tired…it was a long flight and then I was delayed and…'

She didn't want him here. Not that he blamed her. It's not like he'd given her any reason to ask him to stay. But he could at least try now. 'Hales..'

'I'm sorry you should go.' Haley began to close the door then and Nathan jumped into action placing his hand on it. She looked at him surprised.

'I'm sorry….look….what I should have said is I need to talk, not we….you don't have to say a word you can even go to sleep after I say this but I need to say it Haley because if I don't I'll lose my nerve and….' Nathan rambled out blowing out a breath catching her brown eyes now even more widened in surprise and what he thought maybe slight bemusement. God he'd hoped it wasn't, he'd prefer her annoyance than her amusement out of all this.

'I was being stubborn when I let you walk out at Brooke's and I was confused, not over you because I really like you Haley, I do….I just didn't know what to do with that, I still don't….but god I've spent these past two weeks realising I can't not have you either…ask Lucas I've been checking my phone constantly like an idiot waiting to hear from you, I was driving past here looking at the apartment like a sore loser and even worse I went to Sandy Joe's on my own twice after my bar shift…..twice Hales…'

She couldn't hold back the smile on her face at his words as she bit her lip softly.

'God I've just been going crazy; I don't know what's going on with me….I feel like I'm turning into'

'Me….' Haley interrupted softly then as the smile broke out even wider across her face. She couldn't help it, the nonsensical way he was rambling on so far from the overtly, confident guy she'd met that very first night in the bar, the nervous way he shifted on his feet now, the scratching of his head all pinpointed towards the very fact that this whatever it was between them had shifted to something so much more than friends and was affecting him in the same way it had her. It had just taken him that bit longer to accept that.

'Yea…' Nathan said little out a strained chuckle. 'I guess I have Hales.' He shuffled again on his feet feeling the nerves once again consume it. God even after that spiel he couldn't catch a break.

'You should know that I lied to you, I've noticed it too Hales and I'm sorry for trying to make out that you were the crazy one….well you're still crazy…..'

'Hey…' Haley said admonishing him softly slapping him on the forearm.

He chuckled then feeling the heaviness between them dissipate a little. 'But I like that about you, apparently I like it a lot.'

Haley felt her blush deepen then.

'And I want to ask you out on a date for real, no pretend for anyone else. Just me and you tonight.'

'Tonight?' Haley said looking at him wondering if this was a joke.

Nathan gave her a sly smirk then before he picked up the bag he'd conveniently left down to his side. 'Yea tonight in your apartment with me and some popcorn and Maltesers of course.'

Haley smiled wildly at that feeling her insides practically melt. She couldn't help but tease him a bit further. 'Oh so you were pretty sure I was going to let you in huh?'

He sent her that adorable boyish grin of his as he dropped the bag momentarily. 'No but I had another plan of attack…'

'And what was that…' Haley said coyly as she leaned against the door.

'To kiss you.' He said as he glanced down at her lips.

'Well I'm still not letting you in so what are you waiting for?' Haley teased licking her lips as she watched him lean into her, he rubbed his nose rather endearingly against hers before his lips finally captured hers, the kiss was gentle yet assertive as he parted her lips with his tongue, seeking hers, gliding against it, tasting her, the pair of them moaning simultaneously at the succulent feel of each other's mouths. The kiss remained slow yet intense and heavy and when they reluctantly pulled back for air Haley actually found herself rather dizzy.

They smiled shyly at each other than before Haley spoke. 'I guess I can let you in after that.'

Nathan chuckled at the blush deepening her features then as he grabbed up the bag and came into the apartment. 'So if you want to finish your unpacking I can get everything all set up out here…Lucas did say you had a lot of bags'

'Ok.' Haley said with a smile. 'I do want to get them bags finished.'

'How about you don't come out until I call you?' Nathan said then.

'Why?' Haley couldn't help but question.

'Well maybe I want to make this like an actual date so I might have to do some things first…' He teased her softly.

'Ok I'll give you an hour tops then I'm coming out here.'

'That's perfect Hales.' Nathan said as he dropped the bag of stuff onto the countertop in their shared kitchen and living area.

'Nathan….' Haley said then stalling herself before she went down to the room. 'I really missed you.'

'Yea me too.'

XXXXX

'Hales….' Nathan shouted as he observed the setup -pretty pleased with himself. He ran his hand down his jeans again feeling a little jittery, it was that nervous kind of excitement which was odd for him. He usually did the whole takeaway and movie thing just to get onto the next part with women and the setup had never being like this. This was all so different.

'Haley….' Nathan said then as he came down the corridor. God' he'd hoped she hadn't falling asleep or something in there. He knocked softly on her door hearing a mumbled humf coming from the other side, taking that as his cue he stepped into her bedroom. 'Woah…' He said as he noticed her unpacking on the bed; jean shorts, skirts, colour coordinated shirts. 'Lucas wasn't kidding.' He bemused.

'What are you talking about Nathan?' Haley mumbled from her walk-in closet before she stepped out. She was wearing a pink pair of cotton shorts now with a navy tank top, her hair falling down in wet curls from her shower. She watched him watching her and bit her lip softly, this wasn't exactly first date attire; pjs, wet hair and zero makeup.

She noticed him flush a little then and he smiled softly towards her obviously realising he had been staring. She enjoyed this side to him a little too much, there was something special about the way he acted around her.

'You were saying?' She mused as she crossed her arms over herself.

'Oh….am.' Nathan caught the look on her face then, yep she was looking at him like he was idiot. Great. He really needed to get his gameplay back. 'Lucas said you're like a Monica you know with the organising and cleaning thing.'

'Oh yea…' Haley quipped mentally taking a note that she would have a word with Lucas about ranting about that particular trait of hers tomorrow. Of course all of their roommate arguments were based off the fact now that she had a tendency to be very clean and Lucas was in fact the opposite. 'Well if I'm like Monica you must be Joey….' She quipped ruefully smiling to herself when she notice his face contort in confusion.

'Wasn't Monica with Chandler?' He reminder her.

'Oh so now we're together…' She teased.

'What? No…I…I….you're enjoying this.' Nathan said then shaking his head at her as he ran his hand through his hair.

Haley just giggled. 'Joey's the womaniser so…..' Haley mused playfully.

Nathan scoffed. 'He is not, he's got zero game….'

Haley didn't say anything just shrugged innocently.

'Oh you think I've no game?' He quipped himself then as he crossed his arms over himself looking at her daringly.

Haley giggled. God did he love that laugh of hers.

'I mean going by the way you were at the door earlier…'

'Come on that's not fair I thought you were going to be mad…'

'It was kind of funny how nervous you were.' Haley continued to tease enjoying how the tables had been turned on their roles together.

'I wasn't nervous I was one edge.' Nathan refuted.

'They're the same thing.' Haley laughed.

'Whatever are you coming out or are you going to stay in here colour co-ordinating your entire suitcase all night?' Nathan teased then.

'Do you see what you're getting yourself in for?' Haley teased and he laughed then.

'Hales you remember I was here the day you were doing the kitchen drawers right?'

She furrowed her brows before it dawned on her. 'Oh yea….well that's just like a monthly thing.'

Nathan just shook his head at her silliness. 'come on…' He said offering his hand to her and she took it both feeling that familiar zorb pass through their bodies at the slightest contact.

'Nathan…..' She gasped as she came into their living room. The lighting was off aside from the glow from the tv and fairy lights that Haley had decked around the stand it was on. The main couch was pushed back a little to make room for the big quilt on top of their rug with big gigantic cushions and a few smaller ones from the other single sofa's. 'This is…..' She felt her heart flutter.

'It's just movie and a takeaway Haley…' Nathan mused as he took in her expression.

She leaned up on her tiptoes then leaving a gentle lingering kiss to his cheek. 'Thank you.' She said softly before that loveable grin broke out on her face again as she threw herself down onto the furry blanket. 'This smells so good.'

'Ok so I kind of cheated and rang Lucas for the takeaway so I could get your favourite.'

'That's ok.' Haley laughed as together they dished out their meal.

Minutes later they were lounging back against the couch eating away quietly and comfortably on their Chinese.

Haley finished and placed her container back on the small table in front of the telly. She shook her head softly as she watched the amount he had just forked into his mouth. Seriously how could the guy eat so much and look like that? She found her eyes roaming over his arms again and felt her blush deepen realising she was recalling how strong they felt around her legs when he lifted her up.

'You checking me out?' Nathan teased then when he caught that look on her face.

'What? No.' Haley defended herself as she went to swallow a big amount of the cold white wine. 'Why would I be checking you out?'

'Maybe because you want me.' Nathan teased her. 'You can admit it now Hales; I know you have since we met in the bar.'

Haley scoffed. 'You see I think it's that ego that attracted me the most.'

The pair of them laughed.

'So what If I did…..do like you ..' Haley corrected herself. 'I noticed it with you two you know…'

'What do you mean?' Nathan said then as he too lifted his container onto the table and turned to face her.

'You were different around me; I mean do you remember that morning I met you and your mum in the market …you were nervous….'

Nathan just shook his head at her words, it's not like there was even any point in denying it now. 'So what If I was….' He said staring into her brown eyes, those magic brown eyes that had captured him the moment brown met blue in the bar all those months ago.

'I liked that about you, it was I don't know refreshing to see that even someone like you wasn't immune to it all….you know liking someone.'

'I'm so glad I started talking to you that night in the bar.' Nathan said softly then.

Haley just smiled. 'You were an ass that night though.'

Nathan chuckled at that. 'I saved you from that guy you would have called him that night.'

'Lucky you saved me then huh?' Haley teased.

'Yea good job.' Nathan teased back his eyes sparking as much as hers. 'come here….' His voice seemed to take on a huskier tone then. Haley licked her lips softly as she shuffled towards him, the two of them smiling hesitantly at first before chuckling slightly at their shared hesitation before their lips met gently. Haley moaned as she felt Nathan bring his hand up slanting her head as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding so hotly against hers. The kiss lingered on sensually neither of them feeling the need to quicken the pace, both just enjoying the sheer dept of the moment they were in.

Haley pulled away slightly when air became an issue giggling as Nathan left a few gentle quick kisses against her lips again. 'Ok girl needs to be breathe here.' She teased against him.

Nathan chuckled. 'I'm sorry that happens to girls a lot in my presence.'

Haley jabbed him playfully. 'You know this is kind of funny…' She teased then.

'Hmm…' Nathan said rather distracted by her as he pulled back.

'Well this whole thing started with you helping me and now I'm gonna have to help you…' Haley teased then.

'Why would you help me Hales?' Nathan said giving her that you're talking complete and absolute gibberish look again.

'Well you said you've never really dated before so I'm gonna have to show you how its done.' Haley goaded with that alluring smile of hers. 'You know usually its one kiss at the end of the night on a first date, not multiple…'

He could tell she was loving this. 'OH yeah this coming from the girl that told me she doesn't invite guys in to her place on a first date and yet here I am..' Nathan teased back.

'You invited yourself him.' Haley scolded him.

'You let me.' Nathan chuckled at that playful glint in her eye.

'Well then I guess we're not playing by the rules then…' Haley mused biting her lips as she shuffled closer to him straddling his lap, Nathan seemed rather surprised by the whole thing but before he could even question her she was leaning in and their lips met in a fierce kiss, rough and ragged as their heavy breaths filled the vacant space, hands roaming, pleasured sighs escaped them. Haley felt her tank top being throwing off just as her hands scraped the planes of his incredible body. She felt Nathan's kisses slow then, his hands remained on her bare hips as he pulled back. 'Haley…maybe we should….god…' He groaned from her touches his whole body firing up as her soft hands caressed him. 'Hales…' He mumbled into her mouth again.

'Hmmm…..' She mumbled back distractedly tearing her lips away from him as she left several kisses along his jawline.

'I think we should wait….' He barely got out between content sighs. He knew his body would be screaming at him later for his words now.

Haley left one last lingering kiss on his neck before pulling back surprised at his words. 'Wait….Nathan we already….we…' God she still felt embarrassed saying they had sex on the bloody bar.

Catching on to her shyness Nathan smiled softly, what an enigma Haley James was that she could literally pounce on him like a vixen moments before and now she couldn't even say the words 'sex on the bar.' 'I know we did.' Nathan said deciding to save her from further embarrassment. 'And trust me I'm not saying that was a mistake because it wasn't, it's never being like that for me…with anyone.' He emphasised catching her smile as he squeezed her hips gently.

'But it still shouldn't have happened like that, you deserve better….'

'It doesn't matter.' Haley said softly.

'It does.' Nathan said. 'Let's do things your style for a while, let's go on a few dates for a while and build up to that…..what?' Nathan said then catching that cheeky look on her face again.

'Are you going to be able to do that?' She mused poking him in the chest then.

'Ok despite what you think I'm not a sex maniac I wasn't with girls every night or every weekend for that matter…'

'I'm just saying you might find this a little challenging.' Haley teased

Nathan just chuckled. 'Well I didn't say we can't do this….' He pulled Haley closer to him again, his hands running up the sides of her ribs causing a coating of goose bumps to break out all over her his lips met her again, both moaning simultaneously into the kiss. Haley giggled into the kiss then as he began tickling her sides lightly…'Nath…an stop…' She pressed giving up and pulling her lips away from his as she struggled against his hold.

'That's totally not fair you know all my tickle spots already.' She pouted beginning to pull herself off his lap only he tugged her closer to him again.

He was smiling so earnestly at her then it tugged on her heart, that boyish charm, how he could be so playful with her and sexy all at once. The friendship they had built meant everything for her and she relished in how magic that felt now that they were together like this. It was enhanced in the most loveable way.

'What?' Nathan said then catching her staring.

Haley blushed a little. 'I'm just thinking it's never being like this with anyone before, it's never felt this easy….'

He brought his hand down to join hers at her admission. 'Yea this is all new to me Haley but it does just seem easy between us, it's nice….' He smiled then as leaned over leaving a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling back.

'So we're still gonna take it slow?'

Nathan nodded. 'Yea I think it could be fun, we'll go on a few dates and…'

'We'll see if you can resist me..' Haley teased.

Nathan chuckled. 'Little high on yourself aren't you? God I think I'm rubbing off on you.'

Haley just giggled, that heartfelt laugh that sent goose bumps up his spine.

'Look if its get's really hard…..literally…I'll just have to take you on the bar again.' Nathan joked enjoying the look of shock on her face at his words. 'something tells me you might like that Hales.'

'you're wicked you know that?' She quipped.

'Yea I know Hales but you like it.'

'Lord help me I do.' She teased gasping as he pulled right down to his chest then the pair of them falling flat to the blanket lost in their laughter and their kisses.

XXXXX

6 months later

Haley balanced the tray on her hands as she ducked between the people gathering up the spare drink glasses, they were actually beginning to run low on them giving the big turn out for the their Christmas auction event.

'Girl you are fine…' The dark-haired guy wolf whistled at her as she tried to gather the glasses from their table.

'Dude she's also my girlfriend…' Nathan said rather protectively as he came up beside her carrying a spare keg for behind the bar.

The guy hitting on Haley just shrugged and went back to chatting up all the other girls at the table as Haley giggled.

'What?' Nathan said as he watched her seamlessly balance all the glasses with one hand.

'You said dude.' She teased. 'What is this the fifth grade?' She mused leaning up to kiss his cheek smiling as she left a patch of her red lippy on him. 'Opps.' She said as she rubbed it smiling up at him.

'I told you it was a mistake having Haley help out tonight.' Lucas said grimacing at the pair looking at each other all goo-goo eyes across from them.

Karen just smiled. 'Haley has waitressed before in fact you're the one that told me to ask her.'

'Yea that was before I thought I'd have to watch them make goo goo eyes at each other all night.' Lucas grimaced.

'Oh get over it Luke now you know how I feel being with you and Brooke for years in college.' Haley flipped as she popped the tray of glasses on the counter.

'That's different Brooke isn't your sister.' Luke said.

'Yea well you weren't exactly shy with the PDA.'

Karen laughed at the pair of them, Haley just fit into the family so well she was delighted her and Nathan had found each other. The two balanced each other out perfectly, for all his wayward , flighty ways Haley added a sense of calmness whereas for all her up tightness and control Nathan kept her light on her feet.

'Haley let me get those…'

Lucas and Karen shared a look and Nathan caught them. 'What? Haley wasn't even meant to be working here past 7…its near 9.'

'Haley is standing right here you know and she can talk for herself.' Haley quipped as she smiled at her boyfriend.

'Who was it this time?' Karen mused.

'That guy there..' Haley said pointing to the tall, guy with dark air behind them.

'Oh Felix he is a bit of a…'

'Perve yea I got that.' Nathan said as they all laughed. 'Laugh it up whatever, I'm over this night.'

'Oh honey it's just funny to see you this way.' Karen mused. 'You're being a little overbearing that's all.'

Nathan scoffed at that as he started stacking the glasses. 'I'm not overbearing….' Everyone was silent. 'Haley am I being overbearing?'

'Just a smidge…' She teased showing her finger and thumb a little.

'Yea well you shouldn't be going around wearing that….'

'Nathan it's a red t-shirt and jeans it hardly screams slutty…'

'I think you should have worn the Santa dress Haley…' Karen joked.

'It's the red on you, guys go mad for that….' Nathan mumbled before he caught his mother's words. 'Mum…'

'Sweetie you need to relax…' She teased pinching his cheek.

Now he was just damn right embarrassed. Haley just smiled at the two of them. 'Come on…' She said to Nathan then.

'Where I need to….'

'No honey me and Lucas have the bar covered, besides the busy part of the night is over I think you can kids can have a bit of a time out….' She smiled. 'you definitely need a time out.'

'I'm not that bad….' He reasoned stubbornly then before he felt Haley grab onto his hand. 'If you don't come I'll just go over and sit on Santa's lap myself..' She joked.

'Oh no he's the biggest pervert in here….' Nathan said as he wilfully followed her.

Lucas and Karen laughed between themselves. 'I never thought I would see the day where he was like this over a girl.' He mused.

Nathan smiled as Haley pulled them into one of the corners under the mistletoe. 'Oh would you look at that…' She said alluringly.

Within seconds his lips claimed hers in a heated kiss, their pleasured whimpers luckily drowned out by the background noise around them. Nathan groaned as she pulled away all too quick. He could feel himself getting completely lost in her as always, her taste, her smell, the way her body felt as it moved against his.

'Come here…' He said huskily to her again as he claimed her lips relishing in the pleasured moans escaping her as his tongue moved sensuously against hers.

'You know what you guys are about to do shouldn't happen under the mistletoe…'

Nathan and Haley pulled apart rather sheepishly.

'And I would know cause I've done it.'

'God Brooke…' Haley said not a bit surprised by her friend's crudeness.

Nathan just chuckled. 'Hi Brooke.'

She smiled at the pair, even after the last few months it still warmed her heart seeing them like this; still like a pair of giddy teenagers since the moment they got together. Their relationship shining a light on the brighter parts of themselves. Both of them so madly in love. So happy. 'Well I'll let you guys get back to putting that mistletoe to good use then.' She winked. 'Join me and Lucas for a Christmas drink later'

'Of course.' Haley said smiling back up at Nathan who was looking down at her with that look on his face. 'What?' She said softly then catching his probing gaze.

'I'm just….I ' He faltered then as if he wasn't sure.

'What….' Haley prodded as she rested her hands on his shirt rubbing him softly.

'I love you Haley.' Nathan said earnestly smiling as her eyes widened and watered a little. 'I'm sorry…maybe it's too soon….well I don't even know but…'

His words were cut off as she threw her arms around his neck in a searing kiss which he could feel taking over every part of him.

'Hales I…..

She put her finger to his lips then an her face broke out into that dazzling smile of hers….'This is perfect, this moment, you….all of it. I love you…' That boyish grin adorned his features, those adorable dimples crinkling his features as he did something completely unexpected and hugged her tightly to him, his face resting in the crook of her neck.

When they pulled back Haley laughed softly to herself as Nathan gazed at her curiously. 'What is it Hales?'

'Does this mean we're out of the dating game at last?' She teased.

Nathan chuckled before he looked at her so adoringly.

'I think this means we won!'

The End.