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On the plane ride, I gave Hazel the rundown on my friends and invited her to the camping trip. Is it too soon, considering we haven’t even gone on a date? Maybe. But I have a feeling she’s here to stay in my life.
“Not at all, I’ve been begging the guys to start dating people, so I have someone to commiserate with in the woods,” Maggie says, running a manicured hand through her long blond hair.
“Do you have more work duties to fulfill tonight, or shall we grab some dinner?” Rowan asks, looking around the group.
“Oh, I’m starving,” Hazel says.
And I just want to get the hell away from the cameras so I can get my hands on her. “We’re done for the day. Do you know any places that are more intimate?” I ask.
“We’ve got the perfect spot,” Maggie grins.
The sushi restaurant she takes us to is indeed intimate. We have a private table towards the back with our own chef, preparing the rolls right in front of us.
The sake is flowing and my hand is glued to Hazel’s shoulder, my thumb grazing the back of her neck every now and then. I need to feel her, make sure she’s here, that she’s real.
There’s a bolt of insecurity running through me, wondering if I’m too much, too clingy.
“So, when are you going pro?” Maggie asks Hazel, giving my girl all her attention. The fact that they get along brings me so much joy. When’s the last time Sabrina got along with any of my friends? Never, as far as I can remember.
Hazel chuckles at my side and glances up at me. “There’s still some paperwork to finalize, but hopefully by next year.”
“Definitely by next year,” I say, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Rowan watches me with a grin, and I roll my eyes fondly at him.
“Are you excited to go camping?” he asks Hazel.
“Yeah, I used to go all the time back home with my dad. But it’s been a while, and I don’t have any gear with me in Hartford.”
“We’ll have time to get you everything you need,” I say, wrapping my finger around a curl and twirling it around. I feel so grounded now that I can touch her.
Hazel blushes but doesn’t have time to respond because the food appears and the conversation moves along as Maggie and Rowan tell us all about their doubles win at Wimbledon.
“How’s Jacob?” I ask.
“Still an idiot,” Maggie mumbles, and Rowan shrugs.
“He won’t listen to us. Won’t try to make a comeback after his tennis injury, even though he could,” he says. “He’s stubborn, I’ll give him that.”
“Is he camping with us in South Carolina?” I ask and Rowan nods yes. “Maybe we can stage an intervention,” I say, only half joking.
That man has been moping around for far too long, and even if I don’t know the full story, maybe some tough love from his friends is exactly what he needs.
Outside, we wait for our rideshares, hugging and saying our goodbyes.
“When you’re ready to go pro, give me a call,” Maggie says, adding her phone number to Hazel’s contacts. “I have the perfect sponsor who’s always looking for more women in sports. It’s kinda their thing.”
I smile and wrap my arms around Hazel, pulling her to my chest when I notice she’s shivering. We fit together so well, and I rest my chin atop her head.
“It was good seeing you,” Rowan says. “And so nice to meet you, Hazel.”
“Likewise,” she says.
“See you in South Carolina,” I say, nodding to my friends as they climb into their car. I’m looking forward to the trip. Just me, my friends, and my girl.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Hazel
