"Give me a second, girl," Hazel murmured, already crossing the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she headed straight for Manson.
Before she could speak, Karen's shrill voice pierced the air from inside the changing room.
"Hey, baby! I'll be out in a minute!" she called, loud enough to stake her claim.
Hazel dropped into the nearest chair. It groaned beneath her weight, the sound harsh in the tense silence that followed. Her eyes locked onto Manson, disbelief hardening her gaze.
"Really?" she said coolly. "You told me today was just going to be you and me. And yet you brought her along too?"
Manson didn't flinch. He remained maddeningly composed, as if her words hadn't struck at all. He leaned back slightly, his voice smooth, unbothered.
"She's been begging me for months to go out with her," he replied. "And since I'm free now, I figured I might as well have some company."
