Page 46 of Somehow You Knew

“Sure thing, Axel.”

With a nod, he walks back to his office, leaving me alone with my work—and my thoughts.

Thoughts of Hazel and her family… And Axel’s not-so-subtle hint about selling the shop.

I never expected Carrington Cove to pull me in, but with each passing day, keeping my distance gets harder.

***

“Say cheese?”

Hazel’s eyes pop up from her computer as she grins, wiggling her sock-covered feet at me. “Cute, huh?”

I arch a brow. Her socks are covered in little cartoon wedges of cheese with bold lettering across the bottoms.

“Is it a photographer thing, or are you really passionate about dairy products?”

She just shakes her head as I walk past her into the apartment.

I have to admit, this woman’s zany sock collection is extensive. From slogans about pickles to puns about wine, I don’t think I’ve seen her wear the same pair of socks since I moved in three weeks ago.

And I hate that I look forward to discovering what pair she’ll have on each night as she lounges on the couch editing photos or coloring.

“Did you have a good day?” she asks as I grab a soda and join her on the couch, sinking into the cushions as my back protests from hours of leaning over clients. After chugging wine that first night out of desperation, I had to remind myself that alcohol is the last thing I should be reaching for right now. Yet another change in my life I’ve had to get used to.

“Yeah. I made good progress on the design for Tucker, and we got half of it done. I’m finishing the other half tomorrow so he can surprise his dad with it at his party on Saturday.”

“Gosh, I can’t wait to capture the look on his face when he sees it.”

“You’re going to Harold’s birthday party?”

Hazel tilts her head. “Uh, yeah. Who else do you think would be taking the pictures?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I just figured people would snap some on their phones or disposable cameras. Those are making a comeback, aren’t they?”

Hazel scoffs. “They are, but the quality is horrible. Besides, I’m the resident photographer for all major milestones in this town. I made it a law when I opened my business.”

I blink a few times. “You’re joking, right?”

“Sure, but you know what I mean. I almost feel like it’s my duty to capture the memories of my friends and neighbors.”

I study her for a beat. “Why?”

Hazel stares down at her computer before quietly saying, “Because when someone’s gone, all you have left are the pictures. And I, for one, want to make sure that the people I love get to have those memories.” Her eyes lift back up to mine. “I know I wish I’d taken more pictures with my dad.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat and turn back to my soda.

We haven’t spoken much about my aunt since the first letter came. After Michael’s party, we slipped back into our own lives, only interacting when necessary. There’ve been a few nights like this where we’ve talked on the couch after a long day of work, but for the most part, I’ve been avoiding Hazel just as much as her family.

I swear, everywhere I turn there’s somebody who knows someone in the Sheppard brood and questions quickly follow about how I’m now married to the youngest sibling. Then, without fail, those are followed by mentions of my aunt and how much she’s missed in the community.

Fuck, I miss her, and just as Hazel said it, I realize I don’t have many pictures with her to reminisce on—yet another regret I’m forced to live with now.

I haven’t let myself dwell on her absence too much though, opting to only push forward—selling her house to Penn and checking days off the calendar until my time in Carrington Cove is over.

Right now, I feel like it can’t come fast enough.

“Would you like to see some of the last ones I took of Diane?” Hazel asks, pulling me back to our conversation.