“Maybe I’ll also be your sister-in-law one day,” she added thoughtfully, “if I marry Alexander’s younger brother.” She tilted her head, clearly thinking hard. “What was his name again… Marcus? Mauras? Mani?”
Harold stared at her like she’d just announced she was moving to Mars. Then he slowly raised both thumbs.
“Wow. Incredible,” he said dryly. “Already planning to become my new sister-in-law? You don’t even know his name. Or his face. Or literally anything about him.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” Hazel snapped, flipping her hair dramatically.
Then she froze.
Her eyes lit up. She spun back, rushed over, grabbed his arm with both hands, and leaned in far too close.
“He’s handsome, right?” she demanded. “Show me his picture.”
Harold shut his eyes and quickened his pace, pretending his life choices hadn’t led him here.
Hazel chased after him, tugging at his sleeve. “Just one photo! I swear I won’t tell anyone. At least tell me he’s handsome! Medium-handsome? Rich-handsome?”
As their bickering escalated, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.
“Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late.”
Mia appeared from the other side of the street, walking toward them, her bag slung loosely over her shoulder.
Harold stopped mid-step. The moment he saw her, his entire expression transformed—his scowl vanished, replaced instantly by a bright, eager smile.
“Mia,” he said warmly, eyes lighting up. “Don’t apologize. I’d wait all day for you.”
Hazel twisted toward him and smacked the back of his head without hesitation. “Wipe that fanboy look off your face, Harold!”
He winced, rubbing the back of his head. “Why do you keep hitting me?” he complained, shooting Hazel an offended look.
Hazel shot Harold a murderous glare, eyes blazing. “I swear, if you don’t snap out of it, I’m going to beat you to death and claim it was self-defense.”
Harold twisted his face in disbelief, grinding his teeth as he turned away from her.
Hazel didn’t spare him another glance. She rushed straight to Mia, grabbed both of her hands, and squeezed them hard, all her fury instantly evaporating into panic. She scanned Mia from head to toe.
“I heard about the attack a few days ago,” she said rapidly. “When you told me on the phone, my brain just shut down. Are you okay now? Did it hurt? How bad was it?”
Mia let out a small smile, tightening her grip on Hazel’s hands. “I’m fine,” she said softly. “Alexander showed up in time and saved me.”
Hazel studied her face for a second. Then, slowly, a teasing grin crept up her lips.
“So… you’re not calling himMr. Gravesanymore, huh?”
Mia shot her a warning look and lightly smacked Hazel’s arm before looping their arms together and steering her forward. “Stop it,” she muttered. “Let’s go eat. Have you decided where you want to go?”
Hazel hummed as they walked, Mia tucked at one side and Harold sulking dramatically on the other.
“I’m not sure,” she said thoughtfully. “Maybe that new Mexican place on—”
“Mia?”
The unfamiliar male voice sliced through the conversation.
All three of them froze.
Mia turned, brows knitting. “Gavin?” she murmured.
