Fuck. It had been too soon. Much too soon! For him, for her. He hadn’t even said it to himself that he loved Hazel. Why the hell had he been so damn impatient that he had to say it to her face? He would have recognized the panic in her eyes anywhere because it was the same panic he’d seen in her seven years ago.
It happened too fast — and it went south.
He hadn’t had time to formulate a plan or prepare his words. It hadn’t been the right place or the right moment. He understood that Hazel was scared, and he agreed with her; she had more to lose than he did. She’d have to listen to stupid comments for the rest of her life and he didn’t want her to feel like she had to prove herself repeatedly simply because she was with him…
But shit, he wanted her.
He’d had a short circuit. Hazel’s words had gone to his head. She was right. He would find contentment and happiness by following a well-ordered schedule and a three-year plan. He could only do that by allowing himself to feel as much as possible. He'd have to get to know himself better and figure out what he wanted – not what he wanted from his career, but from his life.
And everything he’d ever wanted in life had just fled. He had let her go!
“Fuck!” he repeated loudly, running his hand through his hair before hurrying after her.
What the hell had he told Hazel? That he wouldn’t fight for her? What was wrong with him? He wasn’t going to make the same mistakes he’d made back then. He wasn’t going to sayokayand leave, only to collapse without her. If she wanted proof of his feelings, he’d give it to her. If she wanted to work out a detailed plan for how best to go public with their relationship and protect her from potential repercussions if they broke up, then he’d damn well write it!
He quickened his pace, skipping the elevator and rushing down the stairs instead. But when he finally reached the parking lot, Hazel was nowhere to be found.
Shit.
He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, dialed her number, and was immediately greeted by her voicemail. Her phone was off. She’d asked for space, and she was taking it.
That was okay. She should do whatever was best for her. He could wait, he…
Fuck, okay, he didn’t know if he could wait. He’d never had much patience, and with every second he didn’t see, hear, or feel her, the tightness in his chest grew.
Where the hell was Cian’s living room floor when he needed it?
He leaned against his car, took a deep breath…and jumped when his phone rang. He didn’t bother to check the caller ID. “Hello?”
It wasn’t Hazel. But close.
“Gareth? This is Thea. Hazel’s mother. You gave me your number for emergencies.”
“Thea,” he said, surprised, straightening up. “Are you okay?”
A brief moment of silence followed before she said, “Honestly, no, I’m not. I can’t reach Hazel, and I just received a summons for court. I’m being sued. I guess Kosianos wasn’t bluffing.”
As Hazel’s mother spoke, Gareth’s grip tightened around his phone, making it creak in his fist. “Oh, he’ll wish he was bluffing,” he said coldly, unlocking his car and sinking behind the wheel. “Don’t worry, Thea. The lawsuit will go away.” He’d had enough. Hazel had asked him not to visit Kosianos in person, but he’d had enough. The asshole had chosen the wrong day to make him angry.
“I don’t want to be a bother. You’ve already done so much for me. Are you certain you want to take care of this?”
“Absolutely,” he whispered. “Stay where you are. I’ll call when there’s any news.”
Relieved, she sighed. “Thank you. Maybe I should have just paid…”
“No,” he said roughly. “Kosianos shouldn’t have pushed it so far. I'll talk to you later.”
“Oh, before you hang up: I’m glad Hazel found you, Gareth. You make a lovely couple.”
His heart stopped. “We’re not…”
“I have eyes in the back of my head, young man,” she said warningly. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Sighing, he rubbed his face. “It’s…complicated.”
“Well, the simple things in life aren’t worthwhile, are they?” she said firmly. “Good luck, Gareth!”
The next moment, she hung up.
