Chapter 4 Keeping It Casual

HAZEL found her business partner Andrea grinning from ear-to-ear when she came into their office on the second floor of their clothing store that morning.

She furrowed her brows. "What's wrong with you?" She asked, laughing.

Andrea raised one of her brows, smirking. "I should be the one asking you that. I heard you and Shawn went out last night."

Hazel rolled her eyes and sat behind her desk. She opened her laptop but Andrea immediately closed it and almost hit her fingers if she had not quickly pulled her hands away from the keyboard.

Andrea sat on the side of her desk. "I want all the details of your romantic rendezvous last night."

Hazel sighed. "There is no romantic rendezvous because it was not a date. Shawn introduced her new girlfriend to me."

"Huh?" Andrea's smiled disappeared. "Are you serious?"

She nodded. "And he looks so smitten by her. So, no, I still have no chance to be my best friend's future girlfriend if that's what you really want to ask."

Andrea sulked and folded her arms across her chest. She has been a fan of their potential love story. She was a sucker for friends turned lovers stories and when she found out that she has one-sided feelings for Shawn, Andrea had always been cheering her on. She strongly believes that one day, she and Shawn would be a couple.

Hazel wants to believe it, too. But last night somehow changed that narrative in a snap. Whatever happens, Shawn will always see her as a sister. Maybe it's time to move on.

But how can she successfully move on when the person she's moving on from is actually her best friend?

Hazel felt Andy's hands on hers and her eyes darted at her. "Do you think it's time to use some witchcraft and love spell on Shawn?" She joked.

Hazel laughed. "Shut up, weirdo! Just get to work."

A little while later, Hazel received a call from an unregistered number. "Andy, did you give my number to one of our clients?"

Andrea looked back at her, confused. Then shook her head.

She decided to take the call.

"Hi, Hazel. How are you?" The person on the other line greeted.

The voice sounds familiar. But she couldn't remember where she heard it. "I'm sorry, who is this?"

"I'll try not to feel hurt by that," he said, laughing. "It's Wesley."

"Oh, yeah. Wesley. No, I'm sorry. I just had a lot on my mind. Um, how are you?"

Hazel could not blame herself. Even though the events of last night eventually turned out okay upon his arrival, it still did not take away the fact that she was jealous that Shawn was dating another girl. No model gorgeous man can change that. Besides, she thought the night ended with them leaving things on a casual note. She was surprised he actually called her.

And she did not want to guess but she thinks she already knew how he got her number.

"I'm alright. I wasn't able to talk to you properly last night. Never been great on double dates."

She chuckled. "Me, too."

"So, do you think you want to meet up later? I can pick you up."

Hazel got tongue-tied. She knew that the proper thing to say was yes. She was single. Wesley's single. And besides, he wasn't that bad. He was very nice and thoughtful and he was so friendly, even to Shawn.

Yet she doesn't know why she feels like saying yes to Wesley means betraying her feelings for Shawn. Surely, there's nothing wrong with going out with a guy who properly asks her out on a date. Because even though she liked Shawn, she was only his best friend. Also, it may be a good opportunity for her to divert her feelings to someone who might actually return them.

And yet, it feels wrong to say to him.

Because you might lead him on, a part of her mind suggested. You don't want to be unfair towards Wesley. Because your stupid heart already belongs to Shawn when he's never asked for it.

"I don't bite, Hazel," he said, chuckling, when she has been silent for a few seconds.

She chuckled, too. "No, it's not that. I just am not sure if I'm free tonight."

"Oh, I see. I understand. But, will you call me if you get a free time on your schedule tonight, then?"

Hazel swallowed. He's really serious. "Sure. Yeah, I'll do that."

"Cool. I look forward to seeing you again, Hazel."

When the call ended, Andrea was looking at her with her face full of questions. Hazel just shrugged and started working.

.

"ARE you staying, Hazel?"

Hazel looked up at Andrea when she heard her voice in front of her desk. Andy had already put her coat on and was carrying her bag on her arm.

Hazel looked at the time on her computer and was even surprised to find out that it was already half past eleven. "Is that really the time?" She looked at Andrea.

"Do you want me to wait for you?"

"No. You go on ahead, Andy. I just need to finish this."

Andrea nodded. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Take care."

Shortly after Andrea left, Hazel started feeling hungry. She has not had dinner yet because she was so busy. She looked over at Andy's desk. She sometimes leaves food on her table. Hazel frowned when she found her desk was clean.

She walked to the mini-fridge on the corner of the room to see if there is anything that can be eaten, but all that was inside were bottled water.

Hazel sighed. It looks like she really needs to go out. She locked the doors to their office and left the building. The night guard greeted her when she passed by the lobby.

Hazel was almost glued to the ground as soon as she stepped outside the automatic sliding door and found a familiar face smiling and waving at her. The man was leaning on the side of his car and pushed himself so he could walk to her.

"Wesley?"

Hazel approached him. When she almost tripped as she walked, Wesley caught her arm and waist, and they locked gazes for a few seconds.

"Thank you." Before it could get more awkward, Hazel helped herself and put enough distance between her and Wesley. "What brought you here?" She mentioned on the double date last night where she worked when Wesley asked her, but she could not remember them talking about him visiting her.

Wesley looked shyly at the ground. "Well, I was expecting you'd call earlier this evening. So I waited for you."

Hazel bit the side of her lips. She had so much work to do that day, she forgot that they talked on the phone earlier. "Oh my God! I'm sorry. I was so busy today."

"It's okay, Hazel." Wesley shook his head.

"No, I feel really bad. I'm so sorry. Can I make it up to you? Do you want to go somewhere?"

Wesley thought for a few seconds. "Well, I don't think there are any good restaurants that are still open right now." He looked at her face. "Can I buy you a drink instead?"