Chapter 14 Hazel
Hazel
“Do we even have room in the car for all this?” Summer asked, struggling to push the overloaded grocery cart.
“Probably,” Ava replied, dropping a jar of tomato sauce into the cart without looking up.
“You’re sitting in the front row,” Summer pointed a finger at her. “If you can wrap your legs around Alex’s giant frame, you can handle a box of beers between them, too.”
Ava gasped, half-offended but clearly amused, and chucked a bag of chips at Summer.
“Oh, shut your piehole! I’ll leave you here instead. Hazel and I will have more room for the beers.” Ava grinned, winking at me.
“You guys are funny. This is very entertaining.”
“Thank you. Usually, we’re polite and proper, but when we’re all together, it brings out the worst in us. Exhibit A.” Ava pointed at Summer.
“I wouldn’t call it the worst. I think we’re most ourselves when we’re together. The rest of the time, we’re just pretending,” Summer said, blowing Ava a dramatic air kiss.
Ava smiled and returned to her grocery list. I smiled, enjoying the pure moment of friendship.
“So, Luke said this is your first time joining them,” I said.
“Yeah, we’ve done trips with just the girls or as couples, but never with everyone together. It used to be more their thing. There were times we weren’t all on good terms—lover’s spats or those Ross’ we-were-on-a-break moments. But things have been solid for a while now, so we figured, why not?”
I felt a twinge of guilt. “I hope I’m not imposing by being here.”
“Nonsense,” Ava chimed in. “It’s been a long time since Luke introduced us to anyone. And the guys say you’re not one of those girls who fall at his feet when he winks, which speaks volumes about your character.”
“I do my best,” I replied, the knot of nervousness in my chest loosening.
When we returned, Summer and Ava grabbed bags and headed inside, already yelling at the guys to come help.
I opened the trunk and hoisted the box. It felt heavier than at the store, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Halfway to the house, Luke spotted me.
“Put that down right now!”
“Shut up, you’re not my dad,” I shot back, feigning amusement. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
He grabbed the box from my hands and leaned in. “I could still spank you for misbehaving,” he teased, his eyes glinting with challenge. I could tell right away he was trying to catch me off guard. Too bad for him, two can play that game.
“Not with that big box you can’t,” I replied, lightly tapping his cheek while he was defenseless. I walked past him, catching a chuckle. Inside, Ava was already unloading bags onto the kitchen counter.
“Did you buy some beer?” Alex asked, crouching to help Ava unpack the bags while the others crowded around the counter, poking through the snacks.
“Luke’s bringing it in.” As summoned, the door swung open and Luke walked in, a box of beer in one hand like it weighed nothing, an open bottle in the other.
His bicep pulled at his sleeve when he adjusted his grip, and I had to tell myself to look away, to focus on the pretzels Alex had just pulled out of a bag.
The box hit the counter with a dull thud, and Luke gave a casual grin, completely at ease.
As I unloaded groceries onto the table, Luke reached into the bag and plucked out a bruised apple, holding it up like it had personally offended him. He turned it over in his hand, brow furrowing before glancing at the rest of the fruit with exaggerated suspicion.
“What’s wrong with these?” he asked, as though I’d dragged home a sack of rotten produce.
“Nothing’s wrong. Don’t insult my fruit,” I said in full defense. “It’s not bad—just a little older than the shiny young ones. It’s still in great shape.”
Luke’s mouth quirked in a grin as he leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying the show. I clutched the fruit closer to my chest like a parent shielding a child, refusing to give him the satisfaction of winning this ridiculous argument. I decided to change the subject.
“How can I help?”
“Oh no, Hazel, this is my thing, you’re not obligated to help here,” Ava said, starting on the veggies.
“Yeah, listen to her. She rarely lets anyone into her kitchen. And she doesn’t let you snack either,” Alex said, grabbing an apple from the counter, and Ava slapped his hand. “See?”
“That’s because you eat all my ingredients. Now shoo!” she scolded, waving him off.
“I’m not trying to take over,” I said, laughing. “Just thought I could help with something simple—peeling, washing... keeping Alex out of your way, apparently.”
Alex gave me an exaggerated offended look, and I continued, “It’s not fair for you to cook for eight people alone. I promise not to mess anything up.” I placed a hand on my heart in solemnity.
Ava tossed me an apron. “Fine, newbie.”
“Good luck,” Ethan teased from the doorway. “Hope Ava doesn’t make you flee the country if you scrub a cabbage wrong.”
A peanut flew across the room, bouncing off his head.
“Who washes them with soap, you dipshit?! Go, or you’re skipping dinner,” Ava snapped, and everyone scattered. Luke winked at me, leaning in to whisper, “You’re bold.”
I answered with a dismissive Pshh, and he chuckled, grabbing his beer. He and Alex headed off to light a fire in the fireplace.
“Alright, here’s the plan,” Ava said as I slipped off my jacket and tied my hair into a bun.
I found myself stealing glances at Luke, laughing with Alex, his hair a mess from the wind.
For a moment, I imagined running my fingers through it, his arms around me like in the bookshop, those amber eyes locked on mine.
There was something in those moments, in the way his eyes found mine sometimes. Like something was there.
But not for me. Not really.
* * *
“Oh God, you’ve done it again,” Norah said to Ava, putting her hands on her belly and rubbing her food baby. “You’d think we’d be used to your cooking by now, but it still gets me every time.”
“Hazel too; we both prepared the dinner,” Ava generously included me in the equation.
“Oh no, it was all you. I just peeled, washed, and chopped.” I was basking in the memory and missing the food already.
“Wow. You let her cut things? Unbelievable,” Luke teased, savoring his last bite of ravioli.
“She sliced perfect apples for the pie. Oh, speaking of which—”
“I’ve got it,” I said, standing to clear the plates. In the kitchen, I pulled the pie from the oven. The sweet scent filled the room, and the apple slices looked every bit as good as promised. I smiled, giving myself a mental high five—I had sliced them, after all.
I brought out the pie and grabbed eight plates and forks. Luke watched me, puzzled, but I ignored it. He always looked at me like that, and I never knew why.
What else? Napkins. Maybe drinks.
“Anyone want wine or beer?” I called out, heading back to the kitchen to grab a few bottles. Just as I nudged the door shut with my hip, bottles awkwardly stacked in my arms, Luke appeared behind me without a sound. I nearly dropped everything, expelling a dramatic, uncontrolled gasp.
“Oh, sorry. You scared me,” I squeaked, my voice an octave higher than intended.
“You’re sorry I scared you?” His mouth curved into that familiar smirk again. It was nice, but distracting.
“You know what I mean.”
“Hazel, listen,” his tone softened. “You don’t have to serve us. You don’t owe anyone here anything.”
I froze, my gaze caught by his. The words landed harder than they should have. Heat crept up my neck and onto my cheeks. I knew he noticed because his smirk shifted into something gentler, almost curious.
“I’m not... I just...” The words tangled in my throat. What was I trying to say? That I wanted to help? That I didn’t want to seem like I was freeloading? But didn’t I? I hadn’t earned this trip. These nice people.
“Come, just relax,” Luke said, grabbing the bottle of wine from my hands. He took my hand, leading me back to the patio. His warm, steady touch sent shivers down my spine again. I’d been shivering a lot lately, and I doubted it had anything to do with the ocean breeze.
“By the way,” Ethan said, “Jeremy confirmed he’ll join us tomorrow.”
“Nice!” Logan nearly yelled, way too excited. Vacation Logan was so different. I’d never seen him like this before, though, to be fair, I’d only ever known them in work mode.
“Who’s Jeremy?” I asked.
“He’s technically part of our group,” Luke explained.
“But he’s been traveling the world the last few years, so he’s hard to pin down.
If we want him on a trip, we usually give him six months’ notice.
It’s easier just to plan a trip, tell him the location, and hope he shows up.
We never know what country he’ll be in next week. ”
“Did he say if he’s staying a few days or just tomorrow?” Ethan asked.
“What did I just explain to Hazel?” We all laughed as Ethan tossed a breadstick at Luke. “You forgetful little fish,” Summer teased, patting his head.
“Okay, Hazel, now that we’re all awake and not sleep-deprived, tell us about yourself,” Norah said while I tucked my feet under me on the couch. “We only know the crumbs the guys have shared.”
“Oh, let’s make it a game show!” Alex shouted excitedly. “Welcome, everyone, let’s meet our first contestant—Haaaazel... what’s your last name?”
“Ridley,” I said.
“...Haaaazel Ridleyyyyyyy! Tell us about yourself, Hazel!”
Everyone sitting on the couch was looking at him like he was on crack, stunned at what just happened. Including me.
“Maybe too many beers, babe?” Ava whispered in a soft voice.
“Oh, big surprise, Alex likes to have fun,” he said, mocking himself. “We’re on vacation, I can be myself.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m super interesting, but here’s some stuff. I’m originally from Michigan. I’ve been obsessed with books since I could hold one, which is probably why I ended up studying English Lit.”
“Where’d you study?” Norah asked.
“Brown University.” There was a low whistle.
“Damn, Ivy League. Nice. Keep going.”