Getting Ready

When Lucas returned from visiting Mandy he was excited about her moving to Tree Hill. He felt like a child again returning from Mandy’s apartment to live in his room at his Mom’s house. He misses her desperately; the soft feel of her skin as he runs his fingers over her face, and the small of her back, he misses the smell of her hair, he misses her soft lips and sweet smile. He decides to call her since his body is responding very actively to his thoughts of her. She picks up on the third ring.
“I miss you,” he says with longing in his voice.
“I miss you too,” she says with a sigh.
“I spoke with Haley earlier,” she says, “She seems very nice,” she adds.
“Hales is great you are going to love her,” he replies.
“I wish you were here,” she says with another sigh.
Lucas smiles to himself.
“I wish I were too.”

Lucas realizes there are many details to be taken care of. The first thing he does is talk to Keith about a job; Keith is more than happy to help Lucas and give him not just a job but a future. He will start out as Keith’s assistant at his automotive shop near Bayside which is due west of Tree Hill. Keith proposes that Lucas can work his way into ownership of the location if he is a fast learner. Keith and Neva are making plans for him to someday leave Tree Hill.

Haley and Nathan are still working on giving their marriage another try. She has been working on recording a studio album and spending her time away from Nathan with both Peyton and Brooke. Peyton and Haley are trying to keep Brooke from sulking over Lucas and instead focusing on Felix who is still following her around like a puppy. With graduation coming up the girls are trying to encourage Brooke to move on since Lucas has already decided who he wants.
“You know he could still change his mind,” Brooke says putting the yellow dress up to her and looking at in the store mirror.
“Red isn’t your color,” Peyton says.
“Hey I have talked to Mandy and she seems really cool; you may even like her after you meet her,” Haley says hopefully.
“I doubt it, what am I gay now?” Brooke says putting the yellow dress on the rack.
“I just think if you look at this logically you will see it is best to put Lucas behind you,” Haley adds.
Peyton shakes her head at Haley indicating she is not getting through to Brooke.

As soon as Lucas begins the job with Keith he starts spending all of his free time looking for a place for him and Mandy to live. Initially he looks close to his Karen’s home but he realizes that that is illogical since he is working on the other side of town and the hospital Mandy will be applying at is also across town. He spends almost a month looking in the wrong area and he hates to break it to Mandy who is coming for an interview in less than a week.

Brooke visits Lucas at the shop that week; Keith is at the desk and sees her walk in.
“Hi Brooke, how can I help you?”
“Oh, I just wanted to drop in and see how you were doing,” she says looking around for Lucas.
Keith is well aware of the situation with her.
“We are doing great; do you need in work on your car?” he asks.
“No, I am fine, well tell Lucas I said hi when he returns,” she says as she turns to leave.
“Oh he is under there, if you want to see him,” Keith says pointing under the vehicle nearest to her.
She bends down holding her shirt in place and sees Lucas working on the car.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hi yourself,” Lucas says as he continues working.
Brooke leaves after Lucas does not start a conversation.

The next time Brooke sees Lucas he is with Mandy who is in town for interview at the hospital. They are at Karen’s Café having coffee; Karen is sitting and talking with them while Haley waits on customers. Peyton and Brooke walk in and go straight to the counter to speak with Haley.
“Darn it Brooke, I told you Mandy was coming today, what are you doing?” Haley says agitated.
“I am here for coffee what are you talking about?” Brooke says.
Lucas ignores Brooke as much as he can since Mandy’s back is to her and she is looking right at him. Karen gets up to go get them a phone number of a realtor she met recently.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Mandy says putting her hand on the table for Lucas to hold.
“Nothing,” he says smiling at her and caressing her hand with his thumb.
Brooke sees the gesture and turns away.
Karen gives them the number and an address of a townhouse near Bayside. They decide to go and meet the realtor there right away.
“Thanks Mom, this could be perfect timing since Mandy can see it with me,” he says hugging Karen and waving at Haley as they leave the café.
“Later Hales.”
Haley runs over to give Mandy a hug before they go. Brooke turns to face Peyton so she does not see Lucas glaring at her back.

The townhouse is perfect and the price is part of the perfection. The place needs a little work but Lucas is sure he and Nathan can take care of it very easily. Mandy is impressed by the high ceiling and hardwood trim. It also has amenities like a washer and dryer and a patio over looking a man made lake.
“I really like it, Lucas, “she says smiling and squeezing his hand.
Lucas gives the realtor a post dated check and he leaves while they stay and decide what they want to do first to the place.
“This is sweet it is so much better than my place,” she grins.
Lucas pulls her to him for a kiss and she eagerly responds.
“Too bad it isn’t furnished,” she teases him as she breaks the kiss.
He begins undoing her blouse as he is kissing her again.
“Who needs furniture?” he asks with a grin.