Page 28 of Bless My Heart

I lay out a white button-down shirt and my favorite jeans. I’d much rather wear shorts, but I don’t know the vibe of the family yet, so jeans it is. I have a feeling this trip is a big deal for Hazel, so I want to make a good impression.

I’m going to show Hazel that I’m boyfriend material. I haven’t actually been someone’s boyfriend since high school, but it can’t be that hard. I’ve just got to dote on her and make her shine, which won’t be hard at all. She does that all on her own.

The next morning, I get up extra early and make everyone egg and cheese biscuits before leaving for Hazel’s. I grab a biscuit for us as well, and I’m out of there before I hear a single sound in the house.

I knock on Hazel’s door, and she answers, looking like she’s barely slept. She looks over my dark wash jeans and white button-down. I’ve rolled my sleeves up a little, exposing my forearms, and I notice her gaze lingers there.

“What’s wrong? Did you not sleep well?” I ask her, hoping it doesn’t sound like I think she looks bad or something.

“Not really. I’m just nervous.”

“About what?”

“About lying to my family. What if they realize we aren’t actually dating and call us out?”

“Hazel, they aren’t going to figure it out. I can be very convincing, trust me.” She hesitates for a minute before nodding. She grabs the bag sitting by the door, but I take it from her.

“Maybe you should date me for real, and we won’t have to pretend,” I tease.

She tilts her head to the side and sighs. “You know I can’t do that.” So she says. But I think she’s just scared.

“So, are you actually going to get in the car with me today?”

She rolls her eyes. “It would look weird if we drove separately. And hopefully, we won’t see anyone from school there. That would be weird.” I laugh as I help her into my Jeep.

I put the address Hazel gives me into my GPS app, and we get started.

“Are there any interesting facts I should know about you before we get there?”

“Oh, um, well, I have my doctorate from Georgia State, I went to Brunswick for my undergrad. I’ve always loved numbers and how everything relates to society.”

“Hazel, this isn’t a job interview. I think your family might expect me to know things that are a little more personal.”

“Oh.” She looks confused, like she isn’t sure what to say about herself.

“What were you like as a kid?” I ask, trying to give her somewhere to start.

“Oh my God. I was such a nerd. I always had a book or comic book in my hand. I wore big glasses and even had some braces for a hot minute. I was a mess. I didn’t really fit in, but I also didn’t really care that I didn’t fit in. I had a few friends, and that was all I needed. Kind of like now, actually.” I smile, thinking about a nerdy little Hazel. I can totally picture it too. “If we had been in high school together, we wouldn’t have been friends,” she tells me with humor in her voice.

“Why do you say that?”

“I mean, you’re you, and I’m me.”

“So?”

“Wes, come on. You look like a walking Abercrombie model. I look like I just finished re-shelving books at the library.”

“You’re the hottest librarian I’ve ever seen. And I can think of more than I few things I’d like to do to you in a library.” I hear her breath hitch, but she tries her best to act like my words don’t affect her. She doesn’t say anything for a minute, but then goes on with facts I should know about her.

“Ok, so, I love Marvel. I tolerate DC, but they definitely aren’t my first choice. I love reality TV shows though I little time to watch them. My dream is to spend a month traveling around Europe. I’ve never been to Disney World. I’m terrified of electric can openers. Never make me use one. I’ve always thought about getting a bunny for a pet.”

She pauses.

“I think that’s it. At least, that’s all I can think of right now.”

“Did you always want to be a professor?”

“No. I’m not sure what I wanted to be. I only started thinking about being a professor when I decided to get my doctorate. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for awhile, so I just kept going to school.”