Chapter Nine
When Haley and Peyton returned from their shopping trip they found Jake sitting on the couch watching a football game on TV and eating a sandwich. Eyeing the numerous bags both girls were carrying, he burst out laughing.
“Did you two leave anything on the rails for the other customers?”
“Ha ha, very funny,” Peyton quipped sarcastically. “I don’t think you’ll be complaining when you see the surprise I got for you.”
“Aww, I was only joking. Come on, lemme see,” he said raising his eyebrows suggestively.
“Later baby, later,” she teased back.
“Eww, will you two cut it out? I’m still standing here, you know, and you’d better be on your best behaviour when Nathan comes over later,” Haley told the pair of them.
“Don’t worry, Hales. Anyway, while you’ve been gone I’ve been coming up with questions I can ask him.”
Peyton snorted but seeing the look on her best friend’s face, she quickly scolded her boyfriend. “Don’t tease her, Jake.”
“What? I’m not kidding. I want to know what this guy’s intentions are for my cousin.”
“Jake! I’m warning you. If you give Nathan a hard time, then I’ll...I’ll just have to tell Peyton about that time you...”
“Woah! There’s no need for that.” Jake could feel the sweat forming on his forehead at his cousin’s threat, knowing exactly what it was she was referring to. “C’mon, you know me. I was only messing around. I promise I won’t get too heavy with...um...Nathan, is it?”
“Yes, it’s Nathan, and you’d better not or you know what will happen,” she threatened again, hiding her smile at the look on his face as she took her shopping bags into her bedroom.
* * * * *
It was just after seven-fifteen and Haley was standing in front of her full length mirror taking a final look at her appearance. She had decided to wear her floaty, ankle length black skirt together with her new deep blue , V-necked top which gave just a hint of her cleavage; something she had a feeling Nathan would appreciate. She was wearing her hair loose knowing that Nathan loved it that way and she had even used her curling tongs to emphasise her natural curls.
As it was an informal getting-to-know-you dinner, she had decided to keep her make up natural and light and after adding a final touch of lip gloss, she then slipped into her black strappy sandals. Adding a spritz of her favourite perfume, she walked out of her bedroom and into the living room where she was pleased to see Jake had made an effort and had changed into a pair of dark pants and a button down shirt.
“Wow! You look great, Haley. I hope this Nathan guy appreciates the effort you’re making.”
“Thanks for the compliment but if you’re going to start already with the digs at Nathan, then we’ll just go out and you won’t get to meet him.” Haley sat down next to him on the couch and looked into his eyes. “Please don’t ruin this, Jake. Nathan’s a really great guy and I don’t want your comments spoiling this. You’re my family and I love you and it’s for that reason that I really want you to like him.”
Jake moved closer to her and put his arm around her shoulder and drew her in close. “If it means that much to you, then I’ll be good. It’s just that I care about you...”
“I know you do and that means a lot to me but I’m a big girl now. I know this thing may seem rushed to you and Peyton, but to me and Nathan it just...it feels right.”
“Then I hope it works out for you. I really do,” he told her sincerely.
Leaning in she gave her cousin a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Jake. And thanks for making an effort,” she said indicating his clothes.
“You’re welcome but you’ve really got Peyton to thank.”
“Yeah, I know. Speaking of Peyton, where is she?”
“She’s in the kitchen calling in our order. I think she’s ordering enough to feed an army the length of time she’s been gone.” He chuckled.
Peyton walked into the lounge at that moment. “I heard that, Mr Jaglieski. Anyway, the amount you eat I had to make sure there was enough left over for Haley, Nathan and myself,” she said sitting down beside him and giving his thigh a squeeze.
“Peyton, you look great.” Haley stated, noticing her best friend was wearing the new jeans she had bought that afternoon, a black and silver T-shirt and a pair of black heeled shoes.
“Thanks, so do you. Okay, the food should be here in about half an hour so we’ll have some time to chat and get to know mister big bad boss man,” the blonde said laughing.
“Hey, cut it out and don’t call him that when he’s here. Please,” she begged.
“Okay, but only if you tell me Jake’s secret.”
“Don’t listen to her, Hales. She’s bluffing,” Jake chipped in.
“Peyton, please. Don’t do this to me. Nathan’s going to be here any minute and I’m nervous enough as it is about you two meeting him.”
“Calm down, sweetie, I’m only teasing. I know how much you like him and I’m not going to embarrass you in front of him.”
“Thank you.” Haley had just got the words out when the doorbell rang and she jumped about a foot in the air. “Ohmigod! He’s here. Do I look okay? Huh? Guys?”
“You look great,” her cousin confirmed just as her best friend practically said the same thing.
Walking over to the door, Haley took a deep breath before opening it. Please let everything go well tonight. Please, she silently prayed before opening the door.