Page 111 of Nanny for the Bodyguard
Grinning, I know exactly what he’s saying, what he’s getting at. “I love you, too, Easton. Always.”
When we separate, I smile, looking around my old apartment. “Take me, family. I’m ready.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
Hazel
“It. Has. Been.Forever!” Olivia runs up to me in the coffee shop, yanking me into a massive hug.
As soon as I can breathe again, I laugh. “I know. I know. I’m sorry, but with everything going on, it’s been a bit hectic.”
Olivia regards me, her eyebrows up as she smirks. “Umm, understatement of the year, babe.”
“Ha,” I nod, bobbing my head, “you’re not wrong.”
“Look,” Olivia rubs me on the shoulder, walking me back towards the table, “I'm just glad you're okay, Neil is behind bars, and Easton is actually living up to the expectations I set for him.”
Again, I'm laughing, and I can't help but give Olivia the stink eye. “Expectations you set for him? Why is this my first time learning about this?”
She rolls her eyes at me as we take our seats in a booth near the back.
I still love this coffee shop. Even though I left once and something terrible happened, it's still one of my favorite places.
It's quiet, there's music playing gently through the stereo, the coffee is amazing, you can get ice cream behind the counter, and there are plants everywhere.
“Because I didn't tell you about them. Duh.”
And there I go, laughing again. This feels so normal, and I've missed it terribly.
“Hazel, we are going to have the best girl’s day around. Don't you even worry about it. We're going to catch up. We're going to have so much fun. And after this coffee, I'm taking you to get your nails done.”
“Olivia, that's too much.”
“Don't argue with me. You're getting your nails done. We're going to get you a fancy little outfit because you are in desperate need. Then we're going to head out to dinner and hit the town, except only one of us is still single.”
I try to argue with her, but there's no winning this one, so I just force myself to relax and enjoy the iced coffee that’s keeping me cool on this blisteringly warm summer day.
All through our conversation, though, Liv is a little bit off. It's not that she's being rude or potentially keeping something from me. She's just more bubbly than usual, more excitable.
And that's saying something, considering Olivia is one of the most energetic people on the planet. But she seems a little bit on edge, like she's trying to keep our conversation moving, keep me happy, keep me…pliable.
I have to imagine that she's just trying to make sure I am thoroughly distracted from everything that's going on around us.
News reports are going on about the situation with Neil, and he'll be heading to the first of many court sessions soon. I think she's trying to distract me from thinking about it so I don't don't get upset.
The truth is, though, I'm not that upset about everything because I have a support system in place this time around. I have Olivia, and I also have Easton and Jade.
They’re both doing an incredible job of making sure I feel loved and safe, just as Olivia does.
So, I have to assume that Liv is simply glad I'm okay, and I go with the flow.
We talk about Easton and moving into the house officially. I confess my relief that I don't have to pretend to be in this relationship anymore, and I tell her how damn happy I am.
The happiest I've ever been, in fact.
“That's so amazing, Hazel. All I want for you in the world is for you to be happy.”
I reach across the coffee table and take her hand, squeezing it gently, the wood beneath my arm cool and refreshing.
