“Yesterday, I was the birthday girl. Today, I’m just Hazel again.” Luke grinned, amused by my attempt to dodge the question, then took the chair next to me.
“Hey, by the way, did anyone hear a scream last night?” Norah asked. I choked. In my mind, of course. I couldn’t let them know it affected me.
“Yeah, I heard it, too. I think it was Hazel in the other room.” Luke said out of nowhere, throwing me under the bus. I gawked at him. He bit his apple, eyes gleaming with amusement.
Oh, that’s how you wanna play it!
“Yes, I’m so sorry. I slipped on the cherry Luke had left on the floor. He ate all my leftover cake.”
“WHAT?” Ava shrieked. “My cake? Hazel’s and my cake?” She glared at Luke angrily. He rolled his jaw without saying a word to me. A challenging, entertained look in his eyes.
“Listen to me, you dolt. I baked that cake for her. I’ll scratch your eyes out next time you touch her dessert.” Ava was pointing a finger, serious and terrifying. It was quite funny to watch. I hid my smile behind my mug.
“Got it. Next time I’ll ask before touching your—” he murmured, locking eyes with me, “—dessert.” I swallowed.
Damn it! The dirty feelings were back.
Ava’s rage dissipated after some time, and she rearranged the sunflowers in front of me—the ones everybody gave me yesterday—making the kitchen sunnier.
“Did you know sunflowers usually face the sun, but when they can’t find it, they face each other?” I said.
Luke’s jaw twitched, hiding a smile, contemplating. “That’s my second favorite thing I’ve learned about you,” he leaned in, whispering. “Right after how to make you come.” Blood rushed between my thighs. I pinched him hard.
“Ow—I mean, hoooow do you know that?” he sputtered, rubbing his side as Norah and Ava looked up from their plates.
Nice save.
I smiled. “My mom told me that.”
“That’s sweet,” Norah said, sending me a look. After a minute, the conversation between the two of them resumed.
“Hey.” Luke bumped my shoulder. “Do you want to go for a drive? Just you and me?” His voice was low, meant just for me. Warmth bloomed in my chest.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Does it matter?” His smile was slow and deliberate, making my heart skip a beat. My knee shifted closer, brushing his under the bar.
No. It really didn’t.
31
Luke
We drove along the coast, windows down, the car filling with sunlight and the sharp, briny scent of the sea. It reminded me of childhood vacations with my parents, but the vibe was different. Back then, I didn’t fully understand the relationship my parents had, but I knew it wasn’t loving. No lavish spending could make up for the absence of love. The stiffness, the awkwardness. You could always feel it in the air. Contrary to what I was feeling now. With Hazel, it was effortless. Pure ease and comfort.
Her blond hair danced in the breeze, strands brushing against my cheek as her laughter tangled with the music. She gathered it into a messy bun, rambling about how much hair an average person has, which somehow morphed into a conversation about how bald people can’t be manipulated by shampoo companies.
The truth was, she could’ve talked about her kidneys for all I cared. I just wanted to hear her voice. More than that, I wanted to selfishly hoard her, leaving all our past demons back home. I laced my fingers through hers and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“I love this song,” she said, closing her eyes and singing along to Snow Patrol’sJust Say Yesin the background, lost in the moment. Happy and relaxed.
Happy here. Happy with me.
I smiled unconsciously, trying to remind myself I was still driving and that I should display some self-control.
Hazel reached for her water bottle and just as she took a gulp, we hit a bump, liquid spilling into her nose. She instinctively laughed.
“Damn it. Do you have tissues?” she asked, peeling her dress from her damp skin.
