"Three weeks?" Dania's wide eyes fill with tears. "You've been sleeping in your car for three weeks? W-Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know how! I'm sorry. I knew you'd want me to stay here...I didn't want to burden you. You've got so much on your plate with-"

"What-you're my best friend, Hazel! Are you serious right now? How can you ever think that you'd be a burden to me?"

"I'm sorry-"

"Whatever." Her shoulders slump. She shakes her head. "I have to go to the other room and grab you a couple of things. Be right back."

Guilt makes me want to jump out the window and crawl back into my car.

After she leaves me in her bedroom, my phone vibrates. Guess who is bothering me?

Hayden: Do you have any past evidence of him harassing you besides these two times?

Hazel: No, Mr Detective. Evidence? None. Memories? Plenty.

Besides, I already changed my mind about filing a restraining order. It won't work.

Not only do I not have a single piece of evidence, but I would have to stand before a judge and drag Sergio with me.

It's a long process that I don't have the time or energy for. Not now. Not ever.

Hayden: Might be hard to get it without proof

Hazel: You can just say it's impossible, I already know

Hayden: Can you live with your friend for a while?

Why does he care? He's starting to annoy me.

Hazel: I'm not going to use her as a shield. My problems are mine.

Hayden: Friends are supposed to be there for each other. You'd do it for her. Wouldn't you?

Hazel: If I could, I would. But Dania is in med school. She doesn't have a job. Her parents take care of her. She's not going to move out.

Hayden: Can you stay with them for a while?

Hazel: I don't know, Hayden. I don't want to talk about this. I'll figure it out later

Dania brings me a spare pillow and clean pajamas. I take a shower. When I go back to her room, she has the night lights on in the dark and is flipping through Netflix in bed.

"Well, I guess we're back in high school, having one of our sleepovers," I say to ease the awkward silence.

She doesn't respond.

I slip under the crisp and cool sheets. The moment my spine rests on the mattress, I let out an involuntary groan in relief.

Dania tenses, realizing why.

"Sorry," I mumble.

She grips the remote control harder.

"I love you," I say.

"I love you too."

"How much do you love me?"

"Not that much."

I chuckle and tickle the spot under her chin, using a baby voice to annoy her. "I bet you're happy to cuddle with me, aren't you? Aren't youuu?"

"No."

"Just don't fart up a storm again, okay?"

"I don't fart!" She laughs. Yes, I win.

"Please. You're the queen of silent farts. My lungs are permanently damaged because of you."

"Good. I hope you choke to death."

I inhale deeply, causing her to smack my arm.

Hayden. What are you studying?

"Huh?" I blurt out loud. "He's so random."

"Who?" Dania eyes my screen.

"Hayden."

"The guy you work for? What is he texting you at this hour?"

"A dick pic." I smirk at her shocked reaction. "No, he's just asking me what I'm studying. For whatever reason."

"How did it go with his ex the other night?"

"Eh, fine. She tried to gaslight me. I didn't bite. Oh, by the way!" I turn on my side and prop my head in my hand. "Swear on my life that you will keep this a secret."

"I swear."

"No. Swear on my life."

I trust her. I do. Of all the years I've known her, she has never spread rumors. No matter how many times people screw her over, she keeps her class and doesn't badmouth others.

"I swear on your life." She waits patiently.

"Hayden is a Dom."

"A Dom?" Her eyes sparkle. "You mean..."

My grin widens. "A Dom Dom."

"Oh my God. How did you find out?"

"His ex assumed I was his new sub, that's how." I roll my eyes.

"Oh, shit. Can you imagine?"

"No! I don't need to imagine that." I laugh a little too loud. "I mean, he's hot. I'm not going to lie. And caring. But he's seven years older. Not to mention, severely out of my league. I'm a broke ass college student. He's a successful homeowner running his own company."

"Then why is he asking what you're studying?"

"Oh, crap! I forgot to text him back, hold on."

Hazel: Health Psych. Why?

Hayden: Are you busy tm morning?

I gape at my phone. "Dania? He just asked me if I'm busy in the morning."

"For what?" She scoots closer to look.

"I don't know!"

"Hm. I wonder what he wants..."

"Do you think he just wants to fuck? I mean, I'm flattered. But if that's what he's hoping for, then he's going to be really disappointed."

"You need the job, don't you? It's probably not the best idea to get involved with him."

I scoff. "Who said anything about getting involved? He's not interested in me or in dating. He's made that perfectly clear."

She shrugs. "Okay. Then tell him that you're seeing someone. Problem solved."

I mean, if he was just some random guy that I swiped on, maybe. But I wouldn't respect myself if I lied to him about stuff like that. Not to mention, he would probably see right through it.

Hazel: Why?

Hayden: Come hiking with me and Harry. He wants to talk. Plus, Edwin made you jam.

"His best friend's future husband made me jam."

"Huh?"

"What do they want to talk about?" I gasp. "Wait. What if they want me to have their baby?"

"WHAT?"

"Maybe he wants to know if I'm academically gifted. Do I look like I could be academically gifted?"

"Honestly? No."

Hazel: About what? What does this have anything to do with what I'm studying?

Hayden: A job. Can you be ready at 7? I'll pick you up.

Hazel: I'll meet you. Text me the address

Hayden: I'll pick you up. Send me the address.

Hazel: 6969 Bottom of the Ocean Avenue, Titanic City

Hayden: Hilarious

Hazel: *proud emoji* Among many other things

"You are crushing hard on him." Dania watches me with a shit-eating grin.

"W-what are you talking about?"

"You should see the dumb smile on your face right now."

"I'm just excited to sleep next to you."

Hayden: What's the real address

Hazel: Would you stop being so stubborn? I don't need you to pick me up.

Hayden: Your car is old and you've never been there before. The road up to the mountain is full of twists and turns. It's safer to go with my car.

I hate it when he makes sense.

Hazel: Then I'll meet you at your place and we'll go from there with your car

Hayden: Can you explain to me why?

Hazel:This is just how I am. I don't like accepting help. It makes me feel weak. And right now, life is kicking my ass. I don't need more reasons to feel bad about myself.

Maybe he'll make fun of me. Maybe he'll dismiss it and give up. It doesn't matter. I'd rather keep this distance between us than get hurt.

Hayden: I'll let you hold Milo's leash

Just like that, he makes me laugh again.

"What did he say?" Dania asks.

Hazel: Don't bribe me with his cuteness

He sends a picture of Milo, titling his head at the camera and sticking his tongue out.

Hazel: Fineeee. FINE. You win. Happy?!

Hayden: Lol address

~

The next morning, I wake up at 6 to get ready.

It's going to be hot later, so I choose dark yoga pants and a sports bra, but cover up with a zip-up hoodie, and pull my hair into a messy ponytail.

I'm on my way to the kitchen to fill up my water bottle, but unfortunately Dania's mom is there already, making herself coffee.

She's wearing a silk robe and her blonde blowout is in a scrunchie. Honestly, she looks amazing for her age. I would compliment her, but she doesn't make it easy to talk to her.

"Oh, you're awake." She sizes me up.

"Sorry. Just...wanted to fill up my water."

"Please..." She waves me off, stepping aside.

I mumble an apology and get ice from the fridge dispenser. The loud clank of cubes in the stainless steel bottle makes me wince.

"Going out?"

"Oh, yeah. One of my friends might have a job offer. So..." Why do I explain my actions to her? I don't fucking know.

"Hm, well. Good luck."

I excuse myself and thank God Hayden is on time. He's parked out front, waiting.

When I slide into the passenger seat, I admire his rugged, fresh appearance in a black sleeveless shirt and cool sunglasses.

Messy, brown hair with warm hints. Tan, muscular arms curving and dipping down from his shoulders to his thick wrists, drawing my gaze to the veins spreading across his hands.

"Well, hello there," I say suggestively.

He laughs, deviously handsome. "Good morning to you too."

Milo barks from the back and I lose my shit.

"Hi, handsome! Are you ready to hike with meee?"

"Put your seatbelt on." Hayden starts the car. "Did you bring water with you?"

"Yes, sir!" I show off my emotional support bottle with pride and joy.

I don't realize that I called him 'sir' until his Apple Watch lights up again to warn him that his heart rate has sped up.

He ignores it. "You hungry?"

"For what?" I bat my lashes.

"What do you think."

"I can think of a lot of things. You're going to have to be a little more specific."

He takes a calming breath through his nose and blasts the music the whole drive to Starbucks.

After insisting I eat breakfast, he orders for me at the drive-through along with iced coffee.

"Here you go, sir. Have a nice day!" The barista behind the window gives him back his credit card.

I expect his heart rate to spike again but...nothing.

Interesting.

Maybe he expects it from customer service?

The drive up the mountains takes my breath away. I haven't travelled much. Never been to other countries or even other states. And Hayden is impressive! He navigates the sharp turns and narrow twists on the edge of death. Climbing higher and higher until we are at the parking lot.

Edwin and Harry aren't here yet, and it's freaking hot.

I unzip my jacket and take it off-

Hayden rips his Apple Watch off and throws it in the back of the car.

I stifle a giggle.

He glares. "Is something funny."

"A little bit."

"Yeah? What's so funny?"

I bite my lip not to burst out laughing. He might bury me in these mountains.

"Whatever. I should be the one laughing." He scoffs.

"Why would you be the one laughing?"

His chocolate eyes shine in the light. "Why? You think I don't notice you checking me out?"

"What?" I pretend to be offended. "I would never."

"Mhm."

"I've never lied to you in my life. How dare you."

"Careful, Hazel." He smirks. "I notice more than you think."

"I highly doubt that, but whatever helps you-"

A car next to us honks, making me flinch.

Edwin and Harry are here!

I throw myself out. "You made jam!" I exclaim as Edwin bends down to wrap me in a hug,

"And I'm baking croissants later." He winks. "We'll have brunch at our place after the hike."

I groan as Harry hugs me next. "How in the world did you find such a catch?"

"I got very lucky." Harry smiles.

After Hayden says hi to them, he hands me Milo's leash. Which is so ridiculous, because Milo is one hundred and forty pounds, and his head reaches my waist when he is sitting.

"Are you sure about this?" Harry asks Hayden.

"He likes her."

"He's well-behaved." Harry notices my hesitation. "It's just I've never seen anyone else lead him besides Hayden."

Hayden hands me a bag of biscuits. "Here. Give him a treat from time to time and tell him to heel. He won't leave your side."

"Just don't lose your shit if you see another dog, okay?" I pet Milo. "I don't want to end up in the hospital. My health insurance won't cover it."

"Speaking of health...you're studying Health Psychology?" Harry asks as we begin the hike.

"Oh, yeah. You wanted to talk to me about it."

"I do. Well...you know I run a nonprofit, right? I own a nonprofit for recovering addicts. We offer psychological help, financial support. Basically, everything they need to rebuild their lives."

I wish I knew about this earlier. It's a sensitive topic...

I fake a smile. "That's amazing."

"You work as a part-time bank teller, right? Is that something you're passionate about or is it just for convenience?"

"Convenience."

"Would you be interested in joining? I'm looking for hard-working people who want to help."

"Oh, Health Psychology is more focused on things like how to eat better and-"

Hayden snorts. "No wonder you're studying it."

"At least I don't neglect washing my underwear."

Edwin bursts out laughing. "What?"

"Oh, it's an issue." I inform nonchalantly. "He doesn't let near his underwear-"

Hayden explodes. "Because you're twenty-two years old-"

"Ageist. See? I should sue."

"Actually, you could help." Harry brings the subject back to work.

"But wouldn't you want someone with a license?" I ask. "I'm just a student now."

"Well, you won't be prescribing anything. Besides, I care more about people's personalities than what is says on their resume."

He proceeds to explain more about what his company does and it's incredible. Plus, the job is flexible and it comes with benefits.

I'm just confused about why he is offering it. Seems too good to be true.

"Need a break?" Hayden asks later.

We're almost at the top. Harry and Edwin are ten feet ahead.

I'm heaving and sweating buckets. My lungs feel like someone has ripped them out and roasted them on a stovetop, then shoved them back in.

"No..." I drag my steps, melting on the ground. "I'm fine..."

"Milo. Sit."

I toss Hayden a half-hearted glare as Milo sits on his butt, making me stop.

Hayden's sweating too. His neck and arms are glistening under the sun. Yet he still smells incredible...addicting. Irresistible.

I open my water bottle and chug-

"Small sips," Hayden warns.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, too miserable to care about looking attractive. A whine dies in me as I stare at the distance ahead. I'll never make it.

"Put your hands behind your head. Like this. It'll open up your lungs." He shows me how and I follow. "Deep breath in. Come on. Now blow out. There you go."

I get butterflies from his deep-toned, husky approval.

"Better?" He smirks.

I ignore him and twist to continue hiking.

"Not yet." He chides with amusement. "Take a moment. Breathe."

Why is he so good at making me flustered?

Before I can complain, Hayden tilts his bottle and blocks some of the stream as it pours into Milo's mouth. It allows Milo to drink without spilling the water and wasting it.

"Do you like taking care of others?" I ask.

He shrugs. "I don't know."

"Is that your love language? Giving acts of service?"

He frowns in thoughts. "Maybe. Why?"

"Just wondering. What's wrong with being curious?" I tease. "It just seems like it comes naturally to you. You know?"

"Is that a bad thing?"

I chuckle. "No. Not unless you're naive, which you're not."

"That doesn't always stop people from trying to take advantage."

Don't I know about it. "Exactly."

A/N
Hope you guys are liking how their relationship is developing <3