“Alec!” Hazel’s voice lilts up with surprise. “A travel book about Italy! I love it!” She studies the book as she flips through the pages. “The photos are gorgeous. And I love how there are tips from locals included.”
“You mentioned wanting to go to Italy one day,” I explain. “And I know you can look at photos online. But there’s just something about flipping through the pages of a book. When I was a kid, we had these coffee table books with photos from all around the world. I loved looking through them. So I thought…”
“Alec, Iloveit.” She hugs the book to her chest before setting it onto the table. “It’s perfect. And you’re right. Looking at the photos in print is different. Better.”
A thought strikes me out of the blue.
What if I took Hazel to Italy one day?
What would it be like?
Holding hands while we explore the Coliseum, taking selfies as we wander the cobblestone streets of Florence, tasting wine and feeding each other cheese in Tuscany and walking barefoot along the beaches of Sicily.
Platonic? Hardly.
But.
Looking at the glow of happiness in Hazel’s eyes,at the sweet curve of her lips, knowingI’mthe one who lifted her spirits…
I want to do it more.
I want tobemore.
Stop being a coward, the little voice in my head whispers.Take a chance.
Hazel’s worth the risk.
That’s the crux of it.
Trusting hasn’t come easily for a long time. And for a long time, I’ve been content with my small circle of friends. For years, I thought that was all I needed.
Now I’m realizing I want more.
Liar.
I’ve wanted more for months. Years, even. I just didn’t want to admit it.
I comforted myself with the knowledge that Hazel wasn’t interested, either. So there was no risk to be taken. No chance of being betrayed again.
“Thank you, Alec.” Hazel throws her arms around me and hugs me hard. “Thank you. This is a wonderful gift. I love it.”
Then she looks up at me.
Her gaze holds a depth of emotion that tugs at a chord deep inside me.
My heart rolls over again.
Take a chance.
I touch her cheek, stroking my fingers across hersatiny skin. My other hand comes to the small of her back, holding her close to me. “Haze.”
“Alec?” Her voice is soft. Laced with hope.
And that’s how I know.
It’s not just me.
Take a chance.
