And so it begins….

"I mean, if you want to," he says with a nod. "But I'd rather have you there to enjoy the show." He hopes his soft tone and wide smile are enough to say--without the words because sometimes, he's still very much a coward--that this is him asking her for coffee this time.

Haley hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. "Alright. Just let me know what time the show is and I'll be there. Maybe if Nate and Vanessa are in town, they can tag along. I know Vanessa would love to see you."

"I've told her once or twice that I'd schedule a show just for her," he says with a shake of his head. "Ocean travelling and all. But she never says yes or no." He bites his lip for a moment before trying. Just... trying. "I mean, we've got a smaller bar scene thing we're doing next week. Nothing flashy. Nothing too painfully loud. Would... Would that work?"

Haley thought for a second. She wanted to say yes but she wasn't sure what she was doing. Nate and Vanessa would be in town and she hadn't seen them in a while. Haley suddenly got and idea. She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a pen and paper before hastily scribbling something down. Haley then handed it to him. "Here's my number. Nate and Vanessa are coming into town and I'm planning on having dinner with them but I'm not sure what day. Text me at the beginning of next week and I may have a better idea of what's going on. If I can't make it, maybe we can grab coffee or something on a different day."

He takes the paper with a smile, a warm sort of glow. "Will do." He wants to ask if he can text her before then. If he can reach out the way that he used to. But he knows it'll probably be too much, too soon and he doesn't want to ruin things right off of the bat. He just wants his friend back.

Haley smiled before looking at her watch. "I have to go. I'm supposed to meet Serena and Lily for lunch." She started to head out the door before turning around. "If you have some time before next week, I can make some time to get coffee…" She paused then finished quickly, "Only if you want to though."

"It's always you and coffee isn't it," he asks with a laugh, bright and booming. "You know I always have time for you and coffee."

Again, Haley blushed. "Glad to hear it. I have to get going but send me a text and I'll clear my somewhat busy schedule." She gave him a small wave before heading out the door.

The number is in his phone as fast as he can get it and he just sort of stares at the profile screen for an extra moment or two. Then Nicky throws an arm around his shoulder, wolf whistling and teasing, and Jack's left blushing, smiling, and chasing after a friend.