Twice Upon a Blue Moon Read Online Free Page B

a woman around in bed and meddle in her life outside of it. Hazel had time to figure it out until Monday night.
    She was probably going to cancel.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Hazel had been going to cancel. She had his number. She could have done it by text—pretend something came up and avoid what was sure to be an uncomfortable evening with a man who wasn’t even interested in her.
    She hadn’t done it Sunday night because Fried Green Tomatoes had been on. She hadn’t done it Monday morning because she’d had just an hour before work to go to the gym and ignore the leering meatheads. By Monday at lunch, it had seemed like short notice, which was why that evening at six o’clock, she found herself leaving the diner with Dylan beside her.
    Sadie caught her eye on the way out and pursed her lips. They hadn’t talked about the offer since Saturday. She must have thought the matter settled.
    “So, where do you want to go?” Dylan asked and opened the passenger door to a silver Tesla. “I imagine you must be sick of diners by now—”
    “Do you cook?” Hazel cut in.
    He hesitated. “Sort of?”
    “Farmer’s market is on the way.” If you can’t beat ’em, make them as uncomfortable as you can . “We can grab a few things. I’ll make a casserole.” If growing up in the Midwest had taught Hazel anything, it was never to underestimate the emotional balm of a hearty, cheese-filled dish.
    Dylan pushed past bemusement with a shrug. “Farmer’s market it is.” He slid so elegantly behind the wheel that the leather seats didn’t dare squeak.
    As soon as he powered the engine, a warble of electric guitar and earworm drumming filled the inside of the sleek interior of the car. Dylan wasn’t quick enough to dim the volume before Hazel recognized the singer.
    “You listen to Momo Wu?”
    “You know c-pop?” Dylan arched an eyebrow.
    Hazel shrugged. “Some. It’s Sadie’s way of keeping in touch with her roots.” What’s your excuse?
    “Oh, I hadn’t realized.”
    “Really.” It was Hazel’s turn to let disbelief flash across her face. Despite the dyed blonde hair, Sadie made no secrets of her origins. She’d gone through a phase back in college when she had decked herself out in cheongsams and paper fans. It might have been a cry for attention. Hazel couldn’t say.
    She had been too busy crying for herself back then.
    Dylan prudently joined the flow of traffic. “I don’t mean… She didn’t mention I’m studying Mandarin?” He chanced a glance at Hazel, who merely pressed her lips into a thin line.
    Of course Dylan would assume they had spent hours conferring about his quirks. Pop culture agreed that overthinking was an intrinsic female trait.
    “There’s a chance I might be moving to Shanghai,” he added by way of explanation. “The whole connecting with your roots thing… I’m trying that, too. And audio books only get me so far.”
    It was too earnest to be easily dismissed. Hazel nearly regretted her quick tongue. “So you’re bridging the gap with Chinese pop music?”
    “I almost have Lady First memorized,” Dylan boasted.
    “For its musical virtues or the knee sock-wearing songstresses?” Hazel bit the inside of her cheek. “You know, that calls for a demonstration…”
    Dylan’s grin dug dimples into his clean-shaven cheeks. “Maybe after dinner.”
    “I’ll hold you to that,” Hazel added weakly, trying to hold back a smirk. So much for putting him on the spot . Dylan seemed to be up to the challenge. How c-pop karaoke fit with the rich and powerful alpha male shtick, she couldn’t say, but experience confirmed that no Dominant was all whips and chains all the time.
    Sometimes they dabbled in flash photography, as well.
    Hazel turned her head so Dylan wouldn’t catch her biting her lip and squeezing her eyes shut.
    They made a quick stop at the market. On Hazel’s orders, Dylan remained in the car while she availed herself of fresh produce. She got fennel,