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“If you cook like you make focaccia, then of course!”

“I know my way around the kitchen,” he chuckled in reply.

“That makes one of us.” Hazel laughed.

“I can do the cooking,” Sam said, as if he’d already decided. He kissed Hazel on the tip of her nose and turned to get back to work.

That afternoon, Hazel lay on the lounge feeling a little restless. She’d pottered around the house, struggling to find something to do.

The date with Sam had been, amazing, as far as first dates went. Her heart felt full, almost bursting. But her brain was as stern as ever. You need to find a job. You should be applying for jobs now. She knew she’d promised her mother she would hold off on applications, but it didn’t hurt to look, right?

Swiping her phone from the coffee table, she opened a page to a nationwide employment job board.

Hazel typed Bells Bay into the location. Zero results. Of course.

Selecting the whole of Australia, she reloaded the search. Scrolling, Hazel saw a marketing role in Adelaide. Clicking on it, she read the description but didn’t feel any excitement for it.

Back on the main page, Hazel browsed for a little longer, but nothing piqued her interest. She was about to close the tab when she saw it.

Cloud.

The biggest tech firm in the country, the headquarters for Cloud was on Collins Street in Melbourne. Hazel recalled the super successful campaign the marketing team at Cloud had been running for decades. They’d managed to turn the brand from a failure to the peak of success, and everyone in the marketing industry was desperate for a role there.

Cloud was looking for a new Brand Manager, and Hazel felt a tingle of excitement as she read the description of their ideal candidate. She was surprised that she ticked all the boxes. This was an opportunity she could not pass up.

She pressed apply.

Her heart, not happy about this sudden development, entered the chat. You probably won’t get it. Hazel had to agree. The likelihood of her getting this role was one in a million, but it was the dream job in marketing. She couldn’t not apply. And yes, she knew there would be plenty of other applicants who would have far more experience and cachet than her.

If by some small chance she did get the job, then Hazel determined it would be fate.

She finished the application and felt a stab of pain in her heart. Had she done the right thing? Her head told her yes. But her heart kept screaming no.

Hazel popped the top of the wine bottle. Inhaling the robust scent, she nearly choked. Hazel did not like wine. She knew Serena would want a glass though, so she filled a goblet with the rich red liquid. Hazel wasn’t sure if Josie would want any wine, but she poured a glass anyway.

The pizzas Molly had helped her make earlier were on round wooden boards, drinks were ready, and the daisies she’d bought at the market that morning were sitting in the middle of the table. She thought of the pink tulips from Sam that were in her room. She liked to admire them when she woke up in the mornings. Sadly, though, they were starting to droop.

Gazing around the room, the thought occurred to Hazel that she couldn’t recall the last time she’d had any friends over to her own place. She hadn’t known anyone in Sydney. She’d had friends in Brisbane, but her apartment was on the smaller side, so she’d always met friends out.

Her university friends had all drifted apart, and the friends she hung out with in Brisbane were her work colleagues. She hadn’t really kept in touch with them since she’d left.

Looking around, Hazel realised how lonely she’d actually been for the last few months. Apart from her mum, she hadn’t had anyone to talk to. Cynthia at work had been a sort of friend, but not close, and they hadn’t spoken since she’d been fired.

The shrill buzz of the doorbell nearly made her jump. Opening the door, she saw Serena, a huge smile on her friend’s face.

“Hazel! You look amazing,” Serena cooed as she stood on the front verandah.

Hazel peered down at her lilac smock dress and smiled. “Thanks! I got it in the Maldives. Your shorts are nice!”

Serena wore a white T-shirt and shorts the colour of candy floss that had a tiny lace trim around the cuffs of the legs.

Serena beamed. “Here, for dessert.” She held out a small blue container. “Mari made us some chocolate covered strawberries.”

“She is so cute. Tell her thanks. Come in.” Hazel led Serena into the kitchen.

“Where’s your Mum? And Bailey! I want to meet him so bad.”

“Mum took Bailey with her to a friend’s place. They’re jealous about another friend who’s apparently on holiday in Europe.” Hazel walked to the opposite side of the kitchen. She carried the two pizzas over to the table.