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“Mmmm,” Hazel moaned. “This is really nice. How’s yours?”

Sam finished chewing. “It’s good. The best pizza I’ve had since I got here. Good pizza is hard to find. Maybe we could come back next week? If you want to,” He trailed off.

Hazel stifled a chuckle and gave him a slight nod.

Perhaps there was a way around this. Maybe they could just keep things casual. Who said they had to be in a relationship? Besides, maybe Sam didn’t even want a relationship. She shouldn’t have just assumed that he did.

Yes. The perfect compromise. She just had to keep her feelings in check and make sure they didn’t go anywhere serious. She could manage that. Maybe.

After they shared a slightly boozy dessert of limoncello gelato, Sam tentatively took Hazel’s hand in his as they walked out of the restaurant. Her heart pounded as his hand clasped hers.

“Would you want to go to the bar across the road?” Sam asked as he shoved his free hand into the front pocket of his chinos.

“Sure, that sounds fun,” Hazel replied. Her body felt warm. Heat was climbing from her toes to her heart. She was feeling a little tipsy. The waiter had passed them a glass of dessert wine, on the house, after their ice cream. Hazel didn’t drink very often, and when she did, it tended to hit her hard.

Gripping her hand a little tighter, Sam guided her across the road to a teal green door that was illuminated by smoky industrial style wall lights. They entered and found two seats at a bar table in the corner. Music pumped overhead. An exposed brick wall ran along the bar area, with shelves stacked high with liquor. Small Edison lights hung from the exposed beams of the ceiling, shining down on the thick timber top of the bar. The decor reminded Hazel of a typical city bar. She much preferred the charming atmosphere of Bird & Book.

Scanning the menu, Hazel decided on a piña colada. They discussed typical first date items like favourite colours and coffee preferences until their drinks arrived. Hazel’s creamy concoction filled a tall glass, rimmed with toasted coconut shards and a wedge of roasted pineapple. A beer was placed on a coaster in front of Sam.

Hazel stroked the yellow and white striped paper straw and took a sip. It was sweet and delicious. She noticed Sam’s hand resting on the table and, rather assertively, she placed her hand over his. Their eyes met.

He leaned in and spoke, trying to be heard over the noisy bar. “Hazel, I really like you.” Sam blushed slightly as he spoke.

Hazel gazed back at him and felt her heart swell. “I really like you back.” She could feel the alcohol beginning to hit her. She giggled. “Sorry, I think I’m a little drunk. I don’t drink. Like ever! But when I do, it doesn’t take much. I’m a lightweight.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make sure you’re okay.” Squeezing her hand, he drained the last of his beer.

They sat in silence, unable to talk properly over the pounding music. Strobe lights lit up the bar, and both of them looked away quickly, the lights like lasers trying to blind them. Turning her head slightly, Hazel noticed Sam smiling at her. He pointed to the lights and pulled a face. She laughed as she held her hands over her ears.

“Would you like to stay here or go somewhere else? I can take you home if you like?” Sam practically shouted over the music.

“Can I see your house? I want to see the renovations!” Hazel was more convivial, a little giddy. Her blood pumped harder as Sam nodded in agreement, although she noticed he hesitated before he did so.

The drive back to Sam’s didn’t take very long, and soon Hazel found herself staring at a large rectangular house. Thick steel beams bordered giant sheets of glass. Even in the dark, Hazel could feel the rustle of the trees and knew the house was surrounded by them.

Sam guided her up a path made of reclaimed wooden beams. Tiny lights lit up the trail, and Hazel could see small clumps of moss gathered between the planks of weathered wood.

The front door was tall, a full sheet of glass, bordered by thick Australian timber. Sam opened the door, and she followed him through the entry, down the small steps and into the living space. Polished concrete floors gave an industrial feel, with the plasterboard walls and ceiling softening the space.

She wandered into the kitchen and saw the exposed brick wall, the mahogany cabinets and the island bench. A slab of thick quartzite sat, hovering over the cabinetry. Hazel ran her hands along the slab, noting the texture.

“It’s a leather finish to the stone,” Sam said, as if reading her mind.

Hazel nodded. “It’s beautiful.” She ran her hands along the stone again, feeling the smoothness of the finish under her palms.

Sam approached the refrigerator and began to pour a glass of water. “Here, I think you should drink this.”

Hazel took the glass in her hands, cradling it like a cup of coffee. Sipping, she looked around. A dining table with a timber top sat to her right. An architectural pendant light hung from the ceiling, illuminating the table. In front of her was a plush looking lounge set, the colour of sage. She turned and realised he was standing next to her.

“Your house is amazing! You renovated all of this?”

“Well, there was one wall left.” Sam gestured to the brick wall in the kitchen. “I’ve just been finishing off small things over the last year. It’s all done now, though.”

“It’s so different to anything I’ve ever seen before. Just, wow.”

“Thanks.” Sam grinned.

They were so close, almost touching. Electricity sparked between them. Sam turned to face her. “Would it be okay if I kissed you?” He asked in a hushed tone.