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So much for keeping away from him and sticking to her rules.
She was jolted out of her thoughts by the sound of thundering paws on the verandah. Bailey came bounding down the steps. He attacked Hazel with kisses, and she tumbled to the ground to cuddle him.
“Did I just spy Sam giving you a kiss on the cheek?” Molly called, walking over to the balustrade of the verandah and leaning against it. She looked down at her daughter with a cheeky smile. Hazel blushed as she turned up to face her mother.
“You may have,” she replied, a smug smile forming. She sat cross legged in the grass and Bailey plopped down into her lap.
“So, he asked you out then?” Molly inquired.
“How did you know?” Hazel demanded.
“The poor thing. He’s wanted to ask you all afternoon. He came to me after you left, asked if I would mind if he took you out and what I thought his chances of rejection would be.”
“Mum! He was trying to say something to me at Bird and Book, but Georgia interrupted him. He was acting very weird after that. I thought he didn’t like me,” Hazel admitted.
“Of course he likes you. A blind man could see it. Anyway, I’m glad he asked you. He’s such a sweet guy. Where are you going?”
“He mentioned an Italian place? He’s going home after he finishes up here tomorrow and coming back to get me at six.”
“Oh, he must be taking you to Ciao. I haven’t been yet, but the girls in my book club say it’s lovely.” Molly paused. “I was going to make pasta for dinner tonight, how about nachos instead? There’s a lovely ripe avocado in the fruit bowl that would be great for guacamole.”
“Sounds delicious.” Hazel gently placed Bailey on the ground, then got up, following her mother inside. The puppy raced after them, nearly tripping both women up as he dashed through the front door.
CHAPTER FOUR
Hazel woke late. Rolling over in bed, she glanced at the curtains, the sheer white drapes hampering the view. She stretched out and yawned. Eventually getting up, she grabbed her dressing gown and headed downstairs, into the kitchen. Molly stood, brewing a cup of tea.
“Morning. Want some?” Molly gestured to her cup.
“Ooh yes please. What do you have?”
“There’s a ton of different flavours in the pantry. I’m having ginger liquorice.”
Hazel made a face of repulsion. Eww liquorice. She opened the pantry door and inspected the vast selection. Picking up a packet noted as crème brûlée, Hazel shut the door and grabbed a mug that had little wildflowers painted on the side. Molly sat down at the counter while Hazel prepared her tea.
“Good choice. That’s a very nice flavour.” Molly nodded her head in approval.
“Nice to hear.” Hazel chuckled in reply.
“What are your plans for today?” Molly asked.
“Actually, Serena and I are getting coffee. She’s got the week off, school holidays and all.” Hazel had messaged Serena via social media. Serena hardly ever posted anything, so Hazel wasn’t sure she would even get a reply. Within minutes, Serena had messaged her back with a lovely heartfelt note. That had made Hazel feel a bit better, however, she still knew a sincere apology was in order. Hazel tentatively sipped her tea. “I’m nervous.”
Molly waved her hand. “Don’t be nervous. Serena’s a lovely girl. It will all be fine.”
“I know that deep down, but I just feel so terrible. I’ve been such a bad friend.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it. I’m sure everything will be okay. Serena loves you.” Molly placed her hand over Hazel’s and smiled.
“I hope so.” Hazel took another sip. “You were right. This is really good tea.”
Serena’s parents had moved out of Bells Bay a few years back and bought a place in the hinterland, about a twenty-minute drive from town. Hazel and Serena had arranged to meet halfway, at The Daintree, a moderately sized café near the Bells Bay Lookout. The café was a converted old farmhouse perched between rolling hills. A large fig tree grew next to the farm house, which sheltered the children’s outdoor play area.
Hazel sat at a timber table near the play area, nervously rubbing her thumb along the palm of her hand. Glancing at the clock, she pressed harder. She watched the long, skinny hand tick slowly around the clock face. Her heart pounded with every second that went by. Hazel took a long, deep breath and tried to focus her mind on a calming activity. Deciding to count her breaths, it took a lot of willpower not to let her mind wander.
Counting slowly, she made it to fifteen when she heard the bell of the opening door. Hazel’s eyes flashed open, her heartbeat immediately faltering when she saw Serena’s wide grin aimed in her direction.
“Hazel!” Serena called across the mostly empty café. The other patrons all turned to look.
