X - Y - Z

SIX - HARVEY

I slide into my seat, immediately taking a gulp of the Summer Shandy Foster has waiting for me and draining half right then. 

"Thirsty?" Foster teases.

"You have no idea."

"Everything going okay with the play?" he asks with genuine concern. 

"Yeah, it's alright, but I'm already seeing issues. The college students that offered to do sets for volunteer hours are already being flakey."

"I told you we could take care of that."

"I know, but we're all so busy. Plus, it would be great for them to get that experience, but the kids need this too, so i can let it be half assed." Of course I know my brother would help in anyway anytime, but it's not always necessary.

"Take it off your list. Seriously, no arguments. You have enough to deal with wrangling those little rascals. Leo and I will deal with the sets." All I can do is give him a grateful smile and a head nod, relief flooding me immediately.

I start to ask about his day as well, but I see him smile and wave. Frowning, I turn to see who he waved at, but I don't notice anyone.  I give him a questioning look to which he responds with the widest smile I've seen on him in a while. My brow just raises higher.

"I invited someone to join us," he finally provides.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. So I see this absolutely gorgeous girl at the park today. I mean stunning. And before you start, I know Leo has someone he wants us to meet."

"He does," I start anyway. "Hazel. The girl who's friends with Exley." I try to sound noncommittal, but it comes out a bit stern. That ends up making me blush of course. Foster holds his hands up in defense.

"I know, I said, I know. She was so ridiculously pretty though. I had to talk to her."

I roll my eyes at this. Foster knows we've all wanted Exley on our team for a long time with no really openings. He wants it, too. Of course, we all also admitted to wanting a relationship like like the Blackbourne and Toma teams have - some more seriously than others. I was on board. It was just more complicated for me than it was them.  Then again, wanting Exley on the team was also more complicated for me.

"Besides, you're the one that's always on the fence about Exley. But get this-"

"I'm not on the fence!" I interrupt.

"Harvey, let me finish!"

I huff, literally. "Fine."

"So we start talking to her and guess what her name is.....Hazel. It's her! It was like fate, I swear!" The excitement coming from Foster is palpable.

"Do you know it's her? Hazel's not that uncommon of a name..."

"Oh it's her! Marc snuck a picture and I confirmed with Leo."

"Oh...Well, why didn't you send it to everyone so we can see her?" I can't help but think that would have been nice. Leo is so sure she's the one, but it's not like it's an easy situation. We're all quite different.

"We want everyone to experience a true initial reaction to her. It seems more genuine that way. We want to be sure, ya know?"

"Yeah, that makes sense." It really does. Leo was smitten. It will be interesting to see if we all react so strongly to her. Foster clearly did.

"She said she's bringing a friend. I hoped it would be Exley, and I was right."

"What?!" Startling, I choke on my beer. "He's here?" I ask while trying to get myself back together. Foster is trying his hardest not to laugh, but his eyes always twinkle so clearly he's amused.