Page 55 of Take Me
“You stayed hush-hush about you and Mason,” she hisses through gritted teeth.“I’m not saying there’s something to tell.But if therewere?—”
“Reading you loud and clear, Haze.”But I’m still wildly curious.“To answer your bachelorette party question, Kaleb’s been gracious enough to loan out the sober shuttle.Edgar Cornish is driving us all to Newport.We’ve got a private dining room with a table for twenty at Salt and Cream.”
“No tacky penis hats or male strippers throwing their g-strings on our dinner plates?”
I can’t tell if she sounds like she wants that or finds it unbearably tacky.“No strippers, no costumes.Cass just wants a nice dinner.”It’s a far cry from Zoe’s bachelorette party, which had lots of the former.“But between you and me, there might be penis straws.”
“Lovely.”Hazel picks up her last petit fours with a glance at her watch.“I should probably run.I’ve got a meeting.”She pops the pastry in her mouth and wipes the tips of her fingers on the napkin.“You’re sure I can’t pay for lunch?”
“Positive.I’m just grateful Dad had you there when the roof collapsed.”Because yeah, that’s what happened.That hole in my ceiling got a whole lot bigger at roughly the same moment Mason sank down on his knees in the shower.
“It was a bit terrifying,” Hazel says.“I’m just glad it wasn’t in his half of the house.No offense.”
“None taken.”We already knew the roof needed repairs, but this makes it more urgent.“They’ve got it tarped up for now, but it might be awhile until the roofing crew gets there to fix it.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to stay at my place?There’s plenty of room.”
“I’m fine.”Sleeping on Dad’s couch isn’t ideal, but I’ll manage.“Other than the roof incident, how did things go with my dad?”
“We had fun.”She shrugs on her cream leather jacket.“We played six games of chess and we each won three.”
“He loves hanging with you.”
“He’s a lovely man.”Hazel gets up, and I do the same so I can hug her.“May I dress you for the other two weddings?”
“You’d really trust me with more of your clothing?”
“Of course.”She picks up a handbag that probably costs more than the contents of my closet.“I have so much stuff I can’t wear anymore.”She tips her chin toward the empty petit fours plate.“Stress eating, I suppose.”
“I hear ya.”It can’t be easy having a father in prison.It’s stressful enough having one in a wheelchair.“You really want to dress me?”
“Yes, please.”
“Then I accept your generous offer on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Nothing that leaks dye when it’s wet, requires weird undergarments, or involves hooking my boobs in a harness.”
Hazel laughs as she hugs me.“Deal.”
“Thanks again, Haze.”
“My pleasure.Truly.”
I give her a squeeze, then let go and watch her stride to the door.Just as she pushes it open, she turns back to glance at the far corner table.Luke Lovelin looks up at the same exact moment, and their eyes lock together like magnets.
Hazel spins back around, striding out the door on her mile-high heels.When I dart a quick glance at Luke, I see how he watches her walk out of sight.
Interesting.
“Need anything else?”Our waitress swoops to my table with a coffee pot in one hand and my check in the other.
“I think I’m good.”What the heck, I could use more caffeine.“Actually, just a warmup would be great.Thanks.”
“No problem.”She tops off my coffee and takes the credit card I hand her.As she walks away, the front door swings open again.
The instant I see him, the breath stalls in my lungs.It’s Neil, fuckingNeil, and he’s walking this way.Familiar brown eyes sweep my face, and he offers a well-guarded smile.He’s looking me over like he’s checking for weapons, and I can’t say I blame him.
