Page 26 of The Prospect

He doesn’t. He’s so perfect, it’s frustrating, but not quite as frustrating as Amira has become since I mentioned Green'sinterest in her. Since then, she hasn’t stopped going on about how excited she is to see him again.

It’s tough to hear, even tougher to swallow, but mostly just hard to act like it doesn’t affect me—which since reprogramming my brain, it doesn’t…

Like I said, I refuse to go stay aboard this merry-go-round a second longer. I’m getting set-up with Hart, not Green. Hart’s the one I chose, and Hart’s going to be the one that’ll rid my mind of any and all Green related thoughts.

He has to.

“You know you always look great,” I tell him as platonically as possible. “But I don’t know…” I try to find anything to pick at as I intricately assess his frame. “Didn’t you say to me earlier in the week that you needed a haircut? Maybe go and do that, then we’ll meet back up in a bit. How does that sound?”

Green runs his hand along his hair, seemingly recalling his comment, before he pulls back and faintly nods.

“Fine, you’re right,” he agrees, and I have to resist the urge to sayI always am. “I’ll text you when I’m done. Okay?”

“Okay.” I nod as he plants a soft kiss onto my cheek, leaving me paralyzed in place as he falls out of view.

What was it I said earlier?

Oh yeah, right, redirect my thoughts to Hart.

Only Hart.

GREEN

“Okay, Mr. Hotshot,” are the first few words that come out of Hazel’s mouth as we meet back up at my car, a look of surprise and pleasure smitten across her face. “Looking good. Looking good.”

“You like?” I act like an absolute ponce as I show off my haircut. It’s clean, faded, lined up to perfection and frankly,making me feel like a million bucks going into step one of this plan.

“I do.” Hazel boosts my confidence as she reaches her hand up along my hair with an encouraging nod. “They did a good job. You look like a brand new man.”

I playfully roll my eyes, peering down at the plethora of bags in her hands. “What about you?” I ask. “You found some things that you liked?”

An unexpected frown instantly forms on her lips as we step into the car. “What?” I hate seeing her even remotely upset. “What’s wrong,bug?”

Shit, I need to stop calling her that.

“Nothing.” She doesn’t pick up on it. “Shopping went well, but I…didn’t know what looked good and what didn’t, so I ended up buying?—”

“Everything?” I finish her sentence for her.

She winces, but smiles up at me. “Yeah…”

“Hazel.” I immediately rub my hand along my face. “You seriously shouldn’t have done that. Did you at least try everything on?”

“No…” Another sheepish response falls from her lips and this time, I can’t help but burst into laughter.

“You’re killing me, woman.” I reach to turn on the ignition to the car, placing a hand behind her seat as I reverse out of the car park and merge into the traffic.

“I’m sorry, Greenie, but with you gone, it was hard to decide. I always need your opinion. You know that. The good thing is, I can return everything that doesn’t fit or I don’t like. I’ve got receipts.”

“And what happens if you do like everything?” I counter with. “What then?”

“Well, then I’ll pick up a couple of extra shifts at your mum and dad’s shop.”

“No you will not.” I flick on my indicator once we reach the intersection. “Whatever you end up keeping, it’s my treat. Okay? I’ll pay for it,” I protest.

“Greenie, no!” Hazel has never been one to take a hand-out. It’s always been this way. I don’t know how many times I have to remind her that, as her best friend, I want to do nice things for her without her feeling awkward or obligated to do something back.

She should never feel awkward around me.

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