Page 59 of The Prospect

I cock a brow. “Don’t you, uh—want to wear this?” I can’t help but wonder. “I mean, it only makes sense. It matches.”

“Nah, you take it,” she urges me. “I mean, all this talk of love, Hazel, it only makes sense that you wear a little bit of it too.” She flashes me a wink. “Besides,” she continues, ready to escape into the bathroom, “I figured that whatever I have on my lips will be wiped off by the end of the night anyway, and if I know one thing about red, it leaves a stain…”

I stare off into the empty space that remains as Amira disappears into the bathroom before eventually, I turn back to face the mirror, toying with the thought of will I or won’t I apply this shade when in reality, the answer is obvious.

Love is all I’ve ever wanted in my life.

Love has been the number one thing that has brought me joy, passion, and happiness over the years. It only makes sense to wear this shade. To invite this emotion in with Hart. But as I stare down at my lips, waiting to apply the product, a conflicting pang strikes through my stomach. It’s one I’ve felt in the days leading up to tonight.

The party.

Whenever I look at my lips I can’t help but be reminded of the kiss that Green and I shared. It’s left me trapped in my mindas the memory continually comes back to haunt me time and time again.

Is haunt even the right word?

I have no clue.

Perhaps applying this pigment will serve as a mask? Help me to forget the feeling of Green and urge the ache that is Hart. He’s been a gem, seriously. I think he’s more excited for tonight than me, which, if I’m being honest, isn’t all that hard.

It’s taken a lot for me to combat the voice in my mind that never fails to remind me that going out tonight could be a recipe for disaster, but that’s my past talking. There’s nothing I can say or do tonight that will surmount the truth I once exposed to Amira many years ago.

The fact is, as long as I keep my mouth shut, my drinking to a minimum, and stick by Hart’s side, I should be good.

Right?

If I think about it, Green and I are in a better place now. We were able to get over whatever hurdle of emotions we seemed to be combating earlier in the week, and now, we share a mutual level of understanding.

Clearly, he’s happy that I’m with Hart.

And I’m happy he’s with Amira…

The plan is progressing, just like we wanted and after tonight, hopefully, we’ll be past the halfway mark.

I don’t know if that fact scares or excites me, all I know is I don’t have enough time to debate it as Amira theatrically steps out from the bathroom and raises her arms into the air.

“Ready to get this show on the road?” She does a 360 spin so that I can take in her dress from every angle.

She’s perfection if perfection were a person, and with that thought, I quickly swipe the lipstick along my lips before securing the cap back on and rising to my feet.

“Ready,” I tell her, reaching for my purse. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Perfect.” Amira grasps a hold of my hand as she uses the other to twist the doorknob and swing it open. “Then let’s allow the fun to begin, shall we?”

GREEN

“Listen to me, Hart. You better make sure that you keep an eye on her tonight. Hazel’s not a big fan of crowds.”

“‘Not a big fan of crowds’?” Hart looks over at me skeptically, just like he’s done with most of my simple requests regarding Hazel tonight. “What about our matches?” he debates. “There’s thousands upon thousands of people there. She always seemed perfectly fine to me.”

“Games are different,” I protest in her defense. “Hazel’s comfortable at the stadium. I’ve made sure of that over the years. You wanna know what she’s not comfortable with?Parties.”

Hart momentarily peels his eyes away from the road so that he can roll them in distrust. “Are you sure it’s Hazel that’s not comfortable, Green? ‘Cause it kinda sounds like it’s you…”

I huff out in frustration. This is not some flip-the-switch, reverse psychology shit. This is the truth. Boy, is he painful to speak to.

“Can you, for once, try and listen to me, Hart?” I plead, growing fearful that he’s not taking everything I’m saying seriously. “I know what I’m talking about here. Believe me!”

“And why’s that?” Hart pulls up alongside the curb, shifting the gear into park. “How do you know all of this about Hazel, huh?”

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