“Did you hear that?” Logan grinned proudly.
“Yes, yes, another person besides your wife likes your pickle,” I said. “Congratulations! If only you were single, there would be no women left for us. Thank you for your service!”
A thought crossed my mind. “Hold on.” I turned to the croissant goddess. “Sounds like Miss Hazel has a ‘pickle’ of her own. Is it Live, Love, Laugh? Or maybe an infinity sign? A feather tattoo somewhere?” I teased, wearing a mock-shocked expression.
“Actually, I made a bet with your mom about your longest relationship with a woman. I lost, and she made me get your favorite childhood barn animal, which is why I have a huge piglet on my butt now.”
My fake shock turned real as simultaneousOh damnscame from Ethan and Alex, right next to Logan’s pickled ass.
“Extra cinnamon,” Hazel whispered, handing me my coffee with a warm smile.
“Thank you. Now I’ll be thinking of that piglet all day,” I said, slowly picking up my coffee and giving her a slow, sarcastic smile. I pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and put it in the tip jar. “For your troubles with my mom.”
We made our way to the free booth right next to the window, and once we sat down, the conversation quickly shifted to work talk. Their voices faded into the background as my mind lingered on Hazel. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched her work, effortlessly engaging with customers. She seemed to enjoy being here. Her smile was always bright towards any person, colleague, or customer, even the grumpy assholes in the morning. Most customer service workers hated rude customers, especially those who hadn’t had their morning coffee yet or who were just a huge pain in the ass without any apparent reason. But Hazel didn’t seem bothered by it. I guessed she thought their negativity wasn’t personal and just focused on getting their orders done quickly, trying to make their day better with kindness. I admired her for that, even if I thought no one should have to put up with other people’s bullshit.
“...which is why this year, somebody actually plans this trip,” Logan said, snapping me out of my thoughts. This was the first time Ava, Summer, and Norah were joining us on our annual trip. I didn’t mind. We were all friends more than couples, so the ladies could have their time while we chilled. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I’d say we were a healthy group of friends, although I could do without the constant pressure to find my ‘lobster’, as another famous blonde would say.
“It wouldn’t hurt if someone knew what we were doing instead of drinking ourselves into oblivion for two weeks,” Ethan said, eyeing me.
“Hey, I can hold my liquor,” I shot back. “It’s the rest of you who have problems with it.”
“You guys going somewhere?” Hazel’s voice cut through our conversation as she brought a plate of freshly baked goods to our table. Her shoulder brushed against mine, and I caught a hint of mango scent.
“Hazel, you’re a devil and a saint. I’ll get fat from eating these soon,” Alex said, grabbing one in each hand.
“If only there were something to stop you from getting obese. Like a little voice in your head sayingStop eating,” Logan mocked him.
“Every year, we all go on a vacation together. This time, it’s Portugal,” I explained, ignoring their banter.
“An excellent choice, Portugal is gorgeous, especially this time of year,” Hazel said, while cleaning a nearby table.
“You’ve been there?”
“Yes. Once, a while ago,” she averted her gaze with a smile that hinted at a story behind it. “You’ll need a lot of sunscreen, even if you think you won’t. The sun’s brutal there. I’d kill for a sunny trip right now,” she laughed. “Feels like my vitamin D is in recession.”
I caught myself disliking the thought of her being in distress.
“So, what do you do on these trips? Just relax, drink, and sunbathe your asses in the pool? Or do some daredevil stuff like arm wrestle locals for beer money?” Hazel laughed, emphasizing each question with more excitement.
“We try to do a bit of everything.”
“Although Mr. Luke Davis usually picks up some ladies at the bar and disappears,” Ethan exposed me, but I wasn’t bothered. I think.
“Well, see, Hazel, all these boring chumps have settled down, and now they expect me never to find happiness? Hypocrites!”
“Oh, and let me guess. You’re really trying to find your one true love in a foreign country. I’m guessing she doesn’t speak much English, you forget her number, or you have to leave soon because it’s a vacation, right? You’d love to stay, but you can’t. You have responsibilities here at home, am I correct?” She called my bullshit again. I loved it.
“The circumstances aren’t important, but if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen, you know?” I grinned. I almost forgot anyone else was at the table.
“You, poor thing, I hope you find it,” she said sarcastically. “Just make sure you remember her name when you meet your true love.”
“Hazel, you know, we’ve never tried our luck ourselves. You never know, maybe you and your croissants are the love of my life after all,” I said, biting into the butter-filled treat. “It seems you’re already on good terms with my mom.”
“I doubt that,” she replied. “I may bring you coffee, but my standards are a little more refined than barnyard level.” She was humiliating me in front of the guys. So spicy today.
“Mark my words,” I said, gazing directly into her eyes seductively. “I’m gonna kiss you someday.”
“Don’t worry, Hazel. We’ll tase him in the parking lot if he comes onto you,” Logan said, giving her a reassuring look.
