Page 36 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
“Now, that’s more like it,” she says sweetly, skipping inside like she has won a gold medal.
I glance at Hazel. She is looking at me with an unreadable expression, which turns to amusement.
“She still gets her way with you, right?”
“Don’t start,” I warn as I step inside, closing the door behind me. The house smells like vanilla and something warm, like fresh bread or cookies, and I hate that it reminds me of the old days. I glance around, taking in the cozy space. It is mostly the same as I remember, but there are new touches here and there - Hazel’s touches, no doubt. A throw blanket draped over the back of the couch. A half-empty mug of tea on the floor. A stack of books in the corner, her camera, laptop, and magazines on the center table.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” Hazel says, her voice a little stiff as she gestures toward the couch. “Do you want anything to drink?”
Cara plops down onto the couch immediately, grinning up at Hazel. “Nope, I am good. But thanks!”
I stay standing, leaning against the armrest and crossing my arms. “I won’t be staying long, so no,” I say.
Hazel glances at me, her expression unreadable. “Suit yourself.”
She disappears into the kitchen, and Cara immediately swivels to look at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
I glare at her, my jaw tightening. “You owe me for this.”
She grins. “Oh, relax, big guy. You might actually enjoy yourself. Who knows?”
I highly doubt it.
Fifteen minutes later, I am still here, sitting on the couch, scrolling mindlessly through my phone, while Cara and Hazel sit cross-legged on the floor, chatting and laughing animatedly.
As for why I have not left yet? We have Cara to thank - or, more accurately, blame - for that. Every time I made a move to leave, she produced some ridiculous reason to keep me here:Oh, just wait for a bit…Hazel was just about to tell me a story!…I can’t possibly leave Hazel now. Each excuse is more infuriating than the last.
Eventually, I gave up.
“Yikes, I forgot. I will be right back,” Hazel says suddenly, rising to her feet. She brushes off her pajama pants and heads toward the kitchen.
“I’ll come help!” Cara chirps, jumping up to follow. She throws a quick wink over her shoulder at me, and I narrow my eyes.
A few minutes later, Cara comes back into the living room. “Hazel’s calling you.”
I blink. “Why?”
She shrugs innocently. “She needs your help. I am going to use the bathroom.” Before I can question her further, she is gone.
Jaw tight, I push off the couch and walk into the kitchen to see Hazel perched on a stool, reaching for something on the counter.
“Hey, can you pass me the mugs, Cara?” She says without turning around.
Wordlessly, I grab the mugs and place them in her hand, and just as she moves to place them on a shelf, I speak.
“You really do look like a bunny in that outfit.”
Her head snaps toward me, eyes sharp and wide. She wobbles. Her foot slips off the stool’s rung, and she yelps, arms flailing for balance.
“Whoa!” I dart forward, steadying her with both hands. She lands against me, her hands splayed on my chest.
“Be careful,” I say, my voice low.
Her cheeks flush as she looks up at me, flustered. “I would have been okay, if you hadn’t startled me.”
I glance down, noticing the faint line of red on her index finger. Without thinking, I grab her hand and lift it for a better look. “How’d you get this?”
“It’s nothing,” she says, trying to pull her hand back, but I do not let go.
