Page 22 of Home Brewed (The Perfect Cup #1)

Hazel

“ N othing! I have nothing to wear!” I scream at the void while systematically throwing my entire closet onto the bed after passing on each piece.

How do I have absolutely no date night outfits?

Has it really been that long since I’ve been on a real date that wasn’t just takeout and a movie on the couch?

Surveying the carnage on my bed, I decide that it’s time to call in the cavalry.

I’ve been hanging out more with Nessa, grabbing drinks and going to a farmer’s market that she loves.

I’ve also been spending more time with Stella.

She’s a little bit younger than me, and smart as a whip.

She’s very observant, always noticing when I need a pick me up, and very sweet, and so much fun to spend time with.

We try to have lunch together here and there as she tells me about growing up in a small town and why she chose not to go to university.

It feels weird to be building friendships again, but in moments like these, I’m grateful to have girlfriends.

Nessa answers the FaceTime call first.

“Hey, babe!” she calls out. Her video feed turns on to show her in the back storage room at Booze & Brews.

Shit, I forgot she has the flip shift tonight.

She takes a moment to look at me, and I know she can see the pile of clothes in the background.

She squeals, “ OH MY GAWD! You, miss Hazel, are going on a date with Beck, aren’t you? ?” I look at her in astonishment.

“How on earth did you figure that out?”

“Easy peasy. Pile of clothes behind you, angry flush on your face, it’s evening, and when I walked in to start my shift, Beck had a smile on his face, and I swear I heard him humming at one point. That man is smitten with a certain kitten, and we all know it’s you, babe,” she cackles.

“Thank you for that very helpful run down,” I say dryly, all while the flush on my face deepens.

“Oh my god, you’re so welcome.” Nessa is still laughing, pausing only to take a breath and gather herself, “Alright, what’s the damage?” Stella’s video turns on as she joins the call. She takes one look at Nessa, then my face.

“So, you need help picking out a date night outfit? You know that green is Beck’s favourite colour, right?” she says matter-of-factly.

“How do you guys do that?!” I know I shouldn’t be taking my closet frustrations out on them.

“It was the humming, wasn’t it?” Nessa guesses.

“Actually, it was! He’s been in a chipper mood all afternoon, even with the whole Justin thing,” replies Stella. I roll my eyes. Having girlfriends is great, but holy crap, these two notice everything. Maybe I’m overestimating how much I needed female companionship…

“The Justin thing?! What Justin thing?!” shouts Nessa.

I’m not actually sure if she understands that we can hear her through the phone, and she doesn’t need to shout to be heard from wherever she is.

We could tell her, though I don’t think the rambunctious chaos goblin would really take it to heart, so I do my best to ignore it.

“Can we focus on the matter at hand?” I beg them.

“Fine, I will make you circle back to this later! Mark my words!”

I don’t usually stress over clothes, but I really want to look good tonight. I know the way Beck usually looks at me. Tonight, I want to blow his goddamn mind. “I can’t find a single thing in this closet worth wearing,” I pout, throwing myself dramatically onto the bed.

“That’s not true!” Nessa glares at me, “Where are you guys going on this date?”

“We’re going to see a band at the bar tonight.”

“Our bar? This bar? Fuck yes, I am totally spying on you tonight.” Nessa’s eyes turn giddy in a way that I do not trust.

“Nessa! Focus, what do I wear?” I point the camera at the bed. I still haven’t refreshed my wardrobe, so there is an appalling amount of neutral tones surrounding me.

“Okay, okay. Let’s see… no granny sweaters, jeans are out, and you need at least a little titty out there.

” Nessa squints at her screen as I roll my eyes.

“What’s that red thing up near your pillow?

” I reach over and pull out the cherry-red peasant sleeve blouse.

It has a bustier style front and laces in the back.

I bought it years ago, hoping to wear it, but the occasion never came.

“Ooh, that’s cute!” yells Stella, “Why didn’t you think of that one? It’s on the pile with the rest of them!”

“Well, I don’t know, what would I even wear this with? Are you sure it’s not too slutty?” I’m hesitant to wear something so flashy.

“Hazel, I hate to break it to you, it actually might not be slutty enough,” Stella looks thoughtful as she scans my bed. “Do you have any mini skirts?” I reach over and pull out a small skirt with a slit up the side. It’s black and tends to look very stark against my skin tone.

“Yeah, but black and red? Am I dressing up as a vampire? And didn’t you say his favourite colour is green?

” I look at what they’ve selected, feeling nervous.

This is definitely more adventurous than I thought I would be wearing.

I usually wore that skirt with a big sweater, and that top has never seen the light of day.

“Well, Beck can’t get everything he wants, can he?” Nessa sasses at me. I mean, she’s not wrong. “Try it on! You should wear fishnets under it. ”

“Yeah, I love you, Nessa, that is where I draw the line,” I say, turning off my camera so I can change, grabbing some regular tights.

Once I’ve wiggled into the skirt and cinched the back of the blouse, I turn my camera back on and point it at the full-length mirror, giving them a quick spin. Neither of them says anything.

“What do you think? Is this okay? I think I have something green in the pile here,” I feel nervous at the lack of feedback. I know I haven’t been on a date in a while, still, I can’t look that bad, right?

“You bitch.” I startle as Nessa accosts me through the phone. “I can’t believe you have that ass and never told me! I thought we were friends!” she laments, and she’s loud enough that anyone in the shop right now can definitely hear her.

“Her ass? Did you see her boobs? Beck’s gonna be drooling over her the whole night wearing that!” Stella pipes up. I chuckle at their objectification.

“Okay, okay,” I say, “Don’t overdo it now. So, for shoes—” I stop to quickly read a text that appears above the video, and my blood runs cold.

“Ooooh, did you get a dirty text from Beck? Tell us what it says!” shouts Nessa over the sound of her pulling bottles. Guess she finally decided to start working again.

“Ugh, don’t read that out, that’s my boss!” Stella’s face scrunches in disgust.

“Uh, yeah, sorry, I have to go. Thank you so much for the advice, really. This was so helpful. I’ll let you know how it goes!” I desperately don’t want to delve into this text with them. I don’t want them to know it even exists.

“Text the group chat! We want all the deets,” Stella orders before hanging up.

“Absolutely, bye!” I quickly end the call. I will my hands not to sweat as I open the message.

Justin the Jackass

i kno u were there 2day. don’t think u can hide from me forever. u kno ur coming back 2 me anyway, no one else would put up with u anywa y

I drop my phone onto the bed. No. Justin is not going to ruin this night for me.

I make a vow in this moment to not even think of him.

I quickly throw on my tights and find my platform boots that go up to just under my knees and hug my calves like a dream.

I tease my long hair into loose waves and wear my signature rings and cute gold hoops. Altogether, I feel ready.

Or at least I look ready.

I pick up my phone, put Justin on mute without reading any more of his messages, and check myself out in the mirror one last time. Nessa hadn’t been wrong, my ass looks pretty fantastic in this skirt, and even if Beck doesn’t drool over this look, I feel amazing.

There is nothing that could ruin tonight.