12. HAZEL

12

HAZEL

We spent the next six weeks enjoying time together. I always deemed Wes a flight risk but with each new day since we started together, I felt us moving past that. And our nights weren't just for sex. We went out together just the two of us, and sometimes with our friends. Most weekends he spent at my house watching television while I finished up the last of my papers before graduation.

We were just doing normal things that we had been doing, but there was a different connection between us, and I found myself falling in love with Wes Parker. We never established a title for our relationship, we just let things happen day to day.

We're sitting together on the couch, watching silly reality television shows. I absentmindedly play with his fingers, wanting to keep the conversation casual while on the inside my body is screaming.

"Graduation is Sunday," I begin, hoping my tone is somewhat neutral.

"I know. How do you feel? Are you excited?"

"I am excited. I'm glad it's finally gotten to the point that I finished. I began something and now it's completed to the best of my ability and I'm ready for where it takes me next." I respond easily, though the unknown scares me. I've had four years of a set schedule and now I'm let out into the world with no direction.

"And where is next?"

"Next can be a lot of things. I'll continue working at the clinic and I'll put out my résumé and go from there." I pause, unsure if I should tell him I got the internship in Boston. I received the follow up letter last week and I've been ignoring it, but I know the hospital is top notch and it would be a great experience for me.

But it's far. Boston is cold. And Wes is here.

"When do you have to vacate your apartment?"

I loved living off campus but these apartments are for students only. Once graduation comes I need to find a new place to live. "I have until July first."

He flexes his fingers and I intertwine them with mine. "I can help you pack your things up. We can load them into my truck and I can store stuff for you until you find a place."

"To be honest, I haven't even looked for a place yet. My best friend, Nina, from home was coming up and I figured when she got here we would take a look around for a place together. I'm trying to convince her to move here."

He glances at me, then back to the TV. "We live in Magnolia Point. There's not going to be a lot of places to find with the tourist season upon us."

I make a noise in the back of my throat dismissively and he says, "If you need to find a place to crash, you can always stay with me for a while."

I give him an incredulous look and he lays his head back on the couch, smiling and chuckling to himself, his chest and shoulders shaking lightly. "Don't get this twisted, Hazel. I'm just saying if you need a place to stay for a couple of days I won't object to having you in my bed."

I push his shoulder playfully. "Thank you. I appreciate that more than you know."

He shrugs again, turning away from me. "I mean we spend most of our time together anyway. And I need you close, so I don't starve."

"Oh that's why you're asking? You just want me there to be your maid who cleans and cooks for you!"

He laughs again and says, "Only if you wear the outfit."

I giggle and fall back into my spot, but I cozy up to him. We sit quietly for a few moments letting this conversation hang over us.

I imagine myself living with Wes while also cautioning myself to not put too much stock into his offer. This complete turnaround in just a few short weeks has me on edge but it's everything I've been waiting for since I met him. I don't want to ruin it.

Deciding not to push the subject anymore tonight I lean up and give him a quick kiss on the cheek and then wrap myself around him as we settle back into the couch to watch our show.

"Thank you, Wes. For everything."

He answers me with a squeeze.

I know I should tell him about the internship in Boston. It was on the tip of my tongue to do so, but I haven't decided yet. I also don't want him thinking that if I turn it down it's because he held me back from it, and I didn't want to ruin tonight or have him try to talk me into it when I don't have a firm grasp on the idea yet.