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She had to talk to Sam.

If she spoke to him, asked him what they were, then maybe it would clarify things for her.

But what if it was too soon? What if Sam didn’t want to put a label on it?

Then I go, she mused. If Sam told her he didn’t want a serious relationship, then the decision was made for her. If he did, then she’d stay.

Hazel groaned. The only problem with that plan was that she was outsourcing. She needed to be the one who decided. She couldn’t put that on someone else. That wasn’t fair.

Besides, it was her life. She needed to take responsibility for it.

Hazel jumped and ran up the beach as she felt the cold water of a rogue wave chase her. The cold water left a chill on her ankle.

Life was full of unexpected turns, and she’d definitely learnt that lesson.

Sighing, Hazel plopped down onto the dry squeaky sand near the dunes. For sand that could easily fall through her fingers in tiny little grains, it sure hurt when you fell down onto a dense section of it. She rubbed the side of her leg where she’d landed, hoping a bruise wouldn’t form.

Hazel had never expected to come back home and experience everything she had in the last few months. She thought she’d hate being back. Her plan was to lay low for a while, get a new job and leave again. But to her surprise, she liked it here. She liked being near her mum, near her friends. She didn’t realise how much she’d missed having people around, people she cared about and loved.

She certainly hadn’t expected to meet Sam.

Maybe this was the Hazel she was supposed to be. The Hazel who stayed in Bells.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Over a takeaway dinner of cashew chicken and sticky rice, Hazel and Molly discussed the mechanics of the upcoming exhibition. It was less than a week away. They went over timelines, artwork transportation, speeches, and catering. It was all coming together.

“I’ll need you to do me a favour,” Molly began.

Hazel raised her eyebrows as she slid her fork under a cashew, lifting it up to her mouth.

“Can you MC for me? Please?” Molly pleaded.

Hazel groaned. She hated public speaking. “Really?”

“I’ll beg if I have to,” Molly said matter-of-factly.

Hazel rolled her eyes. “Do I need to say much?”

Molly waved her hand in front of her. “Not really, it’s all scripted anyway. Just introducing speeches, etc.”

“Fine,” Hazel said, rolling her eyes again.

“Thank you, darling. You’ll be wonderful!” Molly grinned. She was silent for a moment, almost like she was steeling herself for what she wanted to say next. “Have you made a decision about what you’ll do?”

“Yeah, actually I have. I’m going to stay,” Hazel replied.

“That’s wonderful news!” Molly’s eyes glittered.

“I have to tell Sam. We have plans for tomorrow. He’s got the afternoon off.”

“He’ll be so delighted. So will Serena, and Josie too.”

“I know. I’ve thought hard about it and reflected on what we talked about the other day. I still feel a bit unsure about leaving my career behind,” Hazel admitted.

“Plans can change. If you decide you ever want to move back to the city, you can. It’s your life, Hazel. Besides, are you really leaving your career behind? You’ll have your own business, and that looks great on a resume.”

“That is a good point.” Hazel paused. She finally let the excitement take over. “I can’t wait to really get stuck into the social media stuff for Rosie Wilder. That’s my wheelhouse.”