Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 165

Hazel stood behind him, watching as he expertly arranged the items on the counter, her brow furrowing slightly in frustration.

"Zachary, did you hear a word I just said?"

"Why are you looking for it?" Zachary finally asked.

"It belongs to my mentor. It's only right that I take it back," Hazel replied firmly.

Zachary paused his movements, placed the item in his hand onto the counter, and dropped into the old rocking chair by the window.

The chair groaned loudly. He leaned back and looked up at her, the sunlight from the window casting deep, shifting shadows across his face.

The man's expression was utterly unreadable.

"You saw the letter?"

Hazel nodded.

Zachary stayed completely silent for a moment. His hand rested on the armrest, his fingers subconsciously tapping against the wood twice.

Hazel watched the movement, suddenly finding it strangely familiar. She froze—it was the exact same nervous habit Marcus Thornton had.

"I can give it back to you. But as payment for keeping it safe all this time, you have to help me find someone," Zachary's voice broke the silence.

Hazel was momentarily stunned. She suddenly remembered that he had mentioned looking for someone before, but he hadn't specified who, and she had forgotten to ask.

"Who are you looking for?"

Zachary reached into his jacket's inner pocket and pulled out a silver pocket watch. She had seen it before—it was the exact same one he had left on Queenie's coffee table the last time he visited.

He had made a special, panicked trip back to the house just to retrieve it.

He popped the watch open and handed it to her. Tucked inside the cover was a yellowed, vintage photograph.

Hazel cursed inwardly. How could she have forgotten about him? She had no idea what Julian was planning by coming to see her, so she decided to just play it by ear.

She hailed a cab back to Queenie's house. Shortly after she arrived, Julian's black Cayenne pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing his sharp, handsome features.

Julian's lips curled upward into a smirk. "Get in. We're going to the airport to pick someone up."

Hazel frowned and opened the back door, sliding into the seat. She didn't ask who they were picking up because she genuinely couldn't care less.

Seeing her absolute lack of interest, Julian felt a sharp twist of annoyance.

"Honey, aren't you going to ask who I'm picking up?"

Hazel turned her head to look out the window, a faint, self-deprecating smile touching her lips.

"Why? Which childhood sweetheart is it this time?"