Page 35 of Love You Like This

It’s not a lie. She’s always had a more New York style, heavy on blacks and grays. Today is no exception with her ripped, baggy jeans and tight black sweater. She’s even wearing the little diamond skull earrings that I know Stone gifted her.

I head south toward the restaurant in Venice Beach. After a few minutes talking about the concert tonight and logistics, I take the conversation a little deeper.

“How’s your mom doing?”

Hazel sighs. “She says she’s good, but I know it’s hard. She went from living with her mom and daughter to now being alone. At least while I’m on the road with my tour. I told Stone I might fly home this week just to be close to her.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah,” her voice wavers. “I know she misses Grams just as much as I do.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand. “She was an amazing woman. Raised a line of badasses.”

She gives a watery laugh. “That she did.”

I’ve loved watching the confidence that’s grown within her since she started her book tour. The first few weeks she seemed like a fish out of water. The asshole who she considered her mentor didn’t help with that. Fucking mediocre piece of shit.

Somehow I manage to score a parking spot on the street right outside the cafe. Stephanie and Shan are waiting for us when we get out. I cross the sidewalk and wrap them both in hugs. It’s been a couple months since we’ve all been able to get together, and I already feel the peace that only your long-time girl friends can give you.

“Amber is already inside getting a table,” Shan says.

“Great. This is Hazel. Hazel, these are my friends Stephanie and Shannon.”

“Hi.” Shan extends her hand. “Everyone calls me Shan.”

Stephanie wraps her up in one of her signature hugs. As the only one of us who’s married and a mom, she’s definitely the warmest. The host takes us back to the table where Amber has already poured waters for us from the glass bottle on the table.

After the final round of introductions, we settle into the U-shaped booth with Hazel in the middle. Amber reaches into her bag and pulls out a copy of Hazel’s book.

“Do you mind signing this? I read it after I caught your interview on the news. Mark O’Malley is such an asshole.”

“He really is. I’ll never go on his show again.” Hazel digs around in her purse and pulls out a pen. “Did you catch the entire interview?” She scrawls her name on the title page and adds a little note.

“Yeah. I’m not one to swoon, but when Stone jumped over the couch and landed beside you, I almost squealed. So fucking hot.”

Hazel’s cheeks go pink. “It really was. I was so nervous in the moment that I barely remember anything.”

“Have you watched it?” Stephanie asks.

Hazel smiles. “So many times.”

The server comes to take our order, and I go big, regardless of the food baby I’ll be carrying the rest of the day. The stuffed french toast here is too good to pass up. After she leaves Hazel steers the conversation away from herself.

“What do you all do for a living?”

“I’m a set designer,” Amber says.

“Attorney,” Stephanie says after a sip of her mimosa.

“Sports agent,” Shan adds.

Hazel’s eyes widen. “You all have the coolest jobs.”

“I don’t know, I think being an author beats being an attorney.” Stephanie gives a self-deprecating grin, used to all of us making fun of her job.

“Whatever Steph, you’re a saint.” Shan knocks her shoulder against Stephanie’s.

Truthfully though, she does more good than just about anyone at this table. She’s not out there raking in fistfuls of money. She works in family court as an advocate for underage children in horrible situations. On top of having twins of her own.