Page 25 of After You Returned

“I never thought you’d leave the island.”

“Never say never,” she sings before motioning to the table. “You figured out what’s bugging me. No more excuses.”

I whip off my shirt before laying on the table. “Have you started your job search yet?”

“I’ve done some searching online. I found an interesting position about two hours away. Two hours is too far to commute, so I’d have to move.”

She can’t move. I can’t let her go. I always thought Hazel would be here waiting for me. But she’s not waiting. She’s moving on with her life.

It’s me who’s been waiting. I’ve been waiting to be ready to settle down. To untangle the mess in my head. To figure out where I belong.

I still don’t know where I belong but I know one thing with absolute certainty. I can’t let Hazel move away. I need towin her back. I need to convince her I’m worthy of a second chance.

Because I’ve always loved this woman. I’ve just been too chicken shit to try and win her back. Too worried she’d make a fool out of me.

I’m done caring about how foolish I’ll look. Or how much she’ll make me work for a second chance.

Hazel is mine and I won’t stop until she realizes the truth. We belong together.

Chapter 10

Cheating is in the eye of the beholder.

Hazel

Idrum my fingers on the steering wheel as I sit in my car in the parking lot ofSirens & Saddles.I’m not ready for another family event. Not after the previous Sunday dinner ended with me searching for a job off the island.

I scan the parking lot for Dad’s car but don’t find it. Of course, the family farm isn’t too far away. Mom and Dad could easily walk here.

Shoot a smuggler. I’m out of excuses.

I search for my family as I walk toward the entrance but no one’s here. I check my watch. I’m five minutes late. They should be here bitching about my tardiness.

“Hazel!” Warren hollers as he approaches.

Warren is the son of the owner of the horse stables. He’s also an entitled bully who thinks that because he’s going to inherit this business, he can say and do whatever he wants. In other words, he’s an asshole.

“Warren.” I nod to him.

“I’m glad you agreed to today’s date.”

Today’s date? I never agreed to a date. Let alone one with an entitled bully.

“What are you talking about?”

He grins. “Today’s date. You and me. Out on the horses exploring the riding trails around the island. I had my assistant pack us a picnic.” He waggles his eyebrows. “It’ll be romantic.”

I hold up my finger. “I need to make one phone call.”

I don’t wait for his response before marching away. I find a secluded spot and ring Scarlett.

“Hi, Ha—”

I don’t let her finish her greeting. “What in the name of mermaids in the sea is going on?”

She sighs. “I told Dad you’d be mad.”

“There was a family discussion about setting me up with Warren the bully for a date?”