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The time for our serious conversation was over, and I was just fine with leaving it behind. Hazel was not willing to change her idealistic view of me. She’d die on that hill if she had to. And it made me want to be the man she believed me to be.
My first step in being a better man was to make sure she connected with Gran. “We’re about thirteen hours ahead of home so it might be a good time to call your grandmother.”
We entered the villa, and Hazel gasped. It was the perfect blend of Italian sophistication and Balinese beauty. The room opened up into the large space featuring a living room in the center with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing our secluded tropical garden that surrounded our private plunge pool. Soft lighting thread throughout the flora, trees, and the pool itself lent a romantic air to the setting.
Hazel skirted past our luggage that the staff left by the door at my insistence. She hummed happily as her fingers lightly skimmed the exotic art pieces displayed on a nearby wooden bookcase that was likely indigenous to the area.
“This place is gorgeous,” she whispered. Her gaze drifted around the room, taking in the decorative details of the furniture and the native art.
Pride settled in my chest. I provided this for her. Hazel deserved the world and I would give it to her.
Hazel shifted back to the luggage and grabbed her laptop bag, settled on the couch closest to us. She glanced at me after opening her computer. Her adorable nose, with a tiny smatter of freckles, wrinkled. “With the time difference it’s 9:30 Thursday morning at home, right?”
“Yes,” I confirmed.
She glanced out the windows to the dark sky beyond our villa. “Let me text Gran to make sure she’s free.”
In a few minutes an answering buzz let us know she had a response.
Hazel tapped the Facetime button and curled up on the couch.
“Hazel! Hi sweet girl.” Her grandmother’s voice easily carried over to where I was in the kitchen getting us two bottles of water.
“Hi Gran. I’m guessing you’ve heard.” She shot a narrowed gaze my way.
“I did. You’re spending Christmas in a tropical paradise.” Her tone gave nothing away about her feelings over this new development.
“If I grab another flight in a few hours I could be home late Friday to spend Christmas Eve with you and the Belmont’s like we planned.” Hazel worried her bottom lip between her teeth.
“And Jareth doesn’t need you there?” Gran asked. “He whisked you away pretty fast. This trip must have been important.”
“Not important enough to miss the holidays with you. Or if I left in the morning after he does what he needs to do I could still make it,” Hazel said, a sheen of tears shimmered in her eyes. She’d agreed to come because she’d wanted to help me, but being away from home was tearing her apart.
I was a total fucking asshole.
“I’ll have the plane ready to go whenever Hazel is ready,” I said moving into the frame behind her, handing off one of the opened bottles.
Gran didn’t say a word. She stared at me then her gaze flicked to Hazel.
Hazel swallowed the sip she’d taken. “What? Why are you giving me that look?”
“Jareth,” Gran said in greeting. I stiffened at her stern tone.
Whatever she had to say I’d shut my mouth and listen. She had no idea how rare that was. “Mrs. Finley.”
“We haven’t had a chance to really get to know one another have we?” Her penetrating gaze saw right through me.
“No ma’am, we have not.” I didn’t lower my eyes.
Hazel blinked at me, her mouth dropping open in surprise. It was very likely my use of the word ma’am. For Hazel I could dredge up a modicum of politeness and be respectful to the one person that mattered most to her.
A gentle smile crossed Gran’s face. “I think maybe you both should stay in Bali.”
“Excuse me?” I must have heard her wrong.
Hazel cut in spearing me with an angry glare. “No, absolutely not. Just because Jareth made a stupid decision doesn’t mean it has to ruin the holidays for us.”
I didn’t want her to go but I wasn’t going to prevent her from leaving.
