HAZEL FINE SINGS ALONG (WATTYS 2022 Winner!)

Chapter 30: Afterglow

The next morning, Hazel woke up wondering if she was dreaming.

But no, there Nick was in the bed next to her. He hadn't tried to sneak out in the middle of the night or left before she woke up. Instead, he was curled on his side, breathing gently, seeming completely at peace.

Surprisingly so was Hazel. Maybe it was a post-coital haze, but Hazel felt purely happy for the first time in as long as she could remember. Being in the Sing Along was supposed to make her happy, but it came with so much anxiety that the good got drowned out by the bad. But this. This just felt good.

"Good morning," Nick said, his voice deep and sexy.

Hazel rolled toward him. "Hi."

"How are you?"

"I'm good, you?"

Nick smiled. "Very formal this morning, I see."

Hazel snuggled closer. "Feeling a bit shy, maybe."

"And regrets?"

"No. You?"

"No."

"But..." Hazel tried to hide her disappointment.

"But it's complicated."

"Naturally."

Nick tucked the pillow under this head. "I mean, you are dating another man."

"What?"

"Benji?"

Hazel laughed. "Oh, ha. God, I forgot all about that."

"Um ..."

"No, no. That's all fake. You know that. Right?"

Nick smiled. "I do."

Hazel wrapped her arms around his waist. "It was nothing but a kiss."

"Oh, really?"

Hazel poked him in the stomach. "Are you jealous?"

"Nope."

"It was on a moonlight beach—"

Nick held up his hand. "Okay, maybe I'm a little jealous."

Hazel kissed him. "There's no need."

"I know. I even double checked with Benji."

"What?"

"I asked him if you guys were actually dating. Just to make sure."

"When was this?"

"Couple of weeks ago?"

Hazel tried to imagine the scene. She couldn't. "That explains it."

"What?"

"Benji's been convinced you had a crush on me for a while."

Nick grinned. "Ah. I guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought."

"Well, I was half convinced that you hated me, so ..."

Nick bent and nuzzled down into her neck. "And now?"

"I guess Benji was right."

"Um-hum."

Hazel dipped her head and met his mouth. They had a long, slow, lazy kiss before breaking apart. "So, what do we do?"

"About what?"

"Everyone thinking I'm dating Benji?"

Nick arched an eyebrow. "Probably best to leave that alone for now. There's enough drama on set."