“Hurry up, Haze, you’re gonna be late,” Mady yelled from the kitchen. I put on my white sneakers and looked in the mirror. I’d picked an outfit last night, but when I woke up, I realized it’d be hot there, so I had to raid my closet again. Hence, her yelling from the other room, peppered with creative insults.
So much for mynicely organized closet before departureplan. What a joke.
I chose a light grey calf-length linen jumpsuit, which sounded hideous but looked very cute. “How do I look?” I walked out, grabbing my denim jacket.
“Gorgeous, you white piece of rice. C’mon, we gotta go.” Mady grabbed my bag.
“No,youlook like—”
“Yeah, yeah, we don’t have time for that,” she cut me off.
I grunted, grabbed my small suitcase with “Crazy Plant Lady” and “The Book was Better” stickers, and headed to her car.
“We have to stop at O’Rileys. I have to leave Thomas the keys,” I said, sliding into the front seat.
“HAZEL! You are telling me this now?! Ahh...”
“Oh, c’mon, it’s around the corner.”
“If I were you, I’d have been up and ready three hours ago. Aren’t you excited? Vacation in Europe, sunny beaches, and don’t even get me started on the hot guy taking you. I can already picture it—he’s flirty, you’re shy, walking along the beach, he kisses you, you both have amazing sex in his bed for two weeks straight.”
“Oh my God, you’re officially a lunatic. We’re going with his friends, there are eight of us. I’m not sleeping with him,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“And why exactly not?”
I hesitated, and she took it as a win.
“Is he not hot enough, athletic enough, cute enough? You crazy bitch.”
Don’t forget charmingly interesting,I thought.
“Of course, it’s not that. Unfortunately, he’s all those things,” I sighed. “But I don’t want to be just another girl he uses. It’s not me, Mady.”
“Oh, Hazel, he’s only using you if you think he’ll fall in love. You can have a hot fling if you’re both into it. Just let it go, enjoy your vacation, run with the balls, I mean bulls or whatever.”
We both started laughing as she stopped at the coffee shop. I jumped out, relieved to escape her question. Exactly one minute later, I was back in her car with two cups of coffee. “Thomas sends his regards,” I said, handing her the coffee.
“Mm, maybe you should hook up with Thomas instead.” She sipped the drink, humming in pleasure.
“No can do, he’s sleeping with Linda.”
“Damn, Haze, you keep turning down the best specimens of men in your life.”
“Just drive.”
She laughed wickedly, put her foot on the gas, and off we went. An hour later, we arrived at the airport.
“Okay, so you have all your bags, your passport, phone, charger?”
“Yes, check, check, and check. I sent you the hotel location, although it looks more like a house or apartment. I’ll update you once I’m there. You have Luke’s number, his assistant’s number, and all flight information. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
“Ugh, so jealous. Go have fun! And take these.” Mady pulled out a dozen condoms and shoved them into my hands and backpack.
“Dear God, Mady, are you mental? Are you producing them?” She slapped my hand when I tried to stop her. “Besides, I don’t need them, I’m on birth control. Not that it matters.”
But it was pointless. She was already kicking me out of the car. Mady hopped out and ran around to help me with my bags.
“I love you. Be safe. Text me when you land.” She hugged me tightly. I kissed her on the cheek, and we said our goodbyes.
