Page 19 of The One I Need
But for some reason every time I try to open up about her, something in my gut tells me I need to keep this to myself. Which is the problem, because I don’t keepanythingto myself.
I tell my friends everything. They have nevernotknown one of my secrets. In fact, I’ve never had a secret because that requires something to be hush for more than thirty seconds. Not only were they present during my first kiss, which came from playing spin the bottle when we were in seventh grade, but immediately after it was over we had to take a time out from the game so I could debrief them. They were there when I proposed for the very first time. Which I’m glad, because then they were there when she told me no. I tried to get them to come the second time, having a feeling it was going to be a celebration. They did, only this time they were waiting at my car with a case of beer, knowing she was going to say no. After that, I quit inviting them.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Silence falls around the group. The three of them all share a questioning look before turning their attention back to me.
“You,” Shane begins. “Oliver Price. The man who gives us play-by-play of what he does at the gym each morning, has nothing to say. Doesn’t want to talk about whatever it is that’s on his chest?”
I shake my head. “I’m good. But I do appreciate it. I just need a few days to process some things.”
Wes nods. “You do whatever you need. Just know we’re here for you.”
I give Wes a friendly slap on the shoulder when someone catches my eye at the bar.
“I’ll go get us another round,” I say, not waiting to hear if anyone actually needs a beer. I quickly look around to see if I catch a glimpse of red hair, which I don’t. But the next best thing is currently at the bar, waiting on Porter to serve her.
“Hazel?” I ask, though I know it’s her. Everyone in this town knows who Hazel Montgomery-Calhoun is. Billionaire CEO. Married to the local mechanic. And most importantly, best friends to Izzy—well, I don’t know her last name yet, but I will.
Oh God, even in my head that sounded creepy. All I need is a ball cap and to hide behind plants every time I walk into a room.
“The man of the day,” Hazel says with a smile.
“Excuse me?”
She softly laughs. “Nothing. Just a funny coincidence running into you tonight. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks,” I say, though I’m confused. I’ve technically never met Hazel before. Her husband and I are casual friends, but not close. I didn’t expect her to know who I was. “I wanted to ask you a question, if you don’t mind?”
She smiles. “Let me guess. You’re wondering about Izzy?”
“How did you know I was going to ask that?”
“Call it a hunch.”
Okay. Now I’m thrown. I didn’t know what I was going to say to Hazel when I came over, but I definitely didn’t expect this. “I wanted to come over and ask…well, what I meant was…Izzy and I…”
Hazel smiles as my words trail off. “Can I ask you something, Oliver?”
“Of course.”
“Did you enjoy the time you spent with Izzy last week?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, because I didn’t realize she knew. “I did.”
“And did you ask her out?”
“I did.”
“And let me guess, she said no?”
“She did.”
“And yet here you are, asking me for help, when I’m guessing, knowing Izzy, she was very clear that she didn’t want anything more than that night. Correct?”
If I would have known I was walking into the gauntlet I would have taken another shot of whiskey first. “Yes, she did say that. And I respect that. I do. It’s just…there was something about her. I’ve never connected with a person like that. From the moment she first smiled at me, I was mesmerized by her. She’s like this mystery box that every time you unwrap a layer, there’s another layer beneath it. I feel like that night I just got past the first layer, and I can’t imagine what else there is, but I want to know. I want the chance to know. Because I think she’s the most fascinating and beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
Shit, was that too much? I meant every word, but Hazel’s not saying anything. Wait…is she crying?
