Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating

Awkward Beginnings, Unlikely Blueprints

Hazel Bradford is a self-proclaimed hot mess: exuberant, unfiltered, and perpetually awkward. Her college years are a series of embarrassing encounters with Josh Im, the calm, composed, and quietly magnetic anatomy TA who becomes her "blueprint for Perfect." Their early interactions are disasters—vomit, nudity, and a legendary painkiller-fueled email—but they set the tone for a relationship built on honesty and humor. Hazel idolizes Josh but deems herself undatable in his presence, convinced their dynamic is best left as friendship. Years pass, and both move on with their lives, but the memory of their chaotic chemistry lingers, setting the stage for a reunion neither expects.

Reunion at the Barbecue

Seven years later, Hazel is an elementary school teacher in Portland, still delightfully eccentric and now best friends with Emily, who, unbeknownst to Hazel, is Josh's sister. At a summer barbecue hosted by Emily and her husband Dave, Hazel and Josh are thrown back together. The reunion is as awkward as ever, with Hazel's lack of filter on full display. Josh, now a physical therapist, is in a long-distance relationship with Tabitha, but the spark between him and Hazel is undeniable. Their shared history and Emily's encouragement nudge them toward a new friendship, one that feels both inevitable and fraught with the potential for more.

Friendship Rules and Boundaries

Hazel and Josh quickly fall into a rhythm of friendship, their personalities balancing each other—her wildness to his steadiness. They bond over shared meals, playful banter, and mutual support, especially as Josh's relationship with Tabitha grows strained. Hazel's menagerie of pets and her unfiltered honesty become fixtures in Josh's life. Both insist on the boundaries of friendship, convinced that romance would ruin what they have. Yet, their connection deepens, and the lines between platonic and romantic blur, especially as they begin to rely on each other for comfort and laughter in the face of life's disappointments.

Double Dates, Double Trouble

To help each other move on from failed relationships, Hazel and Josh embark on a series of double blind dates, each setting the other up with someone new. The results are predictably disastrous—awkward matches, mismatched personalities, and comedic mishaps abound. Yet, through every failed date, they find themselves gravitating back to each other, sharing inside jokes and private glances. The double dates become less about finding love elsewhere and more about affirming the unique bond they share. Their friends and family watch with amusement and exasperation as Hazel and Josh remain oblivious to the obvious: they are each other's best match.

Roommates and Emotional Messes

When Hazel's apartment floods, she temporarily moves in with Josh. Their cohabitation is a whirlwind of chaos and comfort—Hazel's clutter and pets invade Josh's orderly world, but he finds himself enjoying the unpredictability she brings. As roommates, their friendship intensifies; they share routines, secrets, and vulnerabilities. Josh's breakup with Tabitha leaves him raw, and Hazel becomes his anchor. The intimacy of living together exposes their emotional messes, but also reveals how well they fit. The boundaries of friendship are tested as they navigate the joys and frustrations of daily life side by side.

Breakups and New Beginnings

Josh's relationship with Tabitha ends painfully when he discovers her infidelity. Hazel supports him through the heartbreak, offering comfort, distraction, and unwavering loyalty. Their friendship becomes a safe haven, a place where both can be their truest selves without fear of judgment. As Josh heals, he begins to see Hazel in a new light—not just as a friend, but as someone who makes his world brighter. Hazel, too, feels the shift, but fears risking their friendship for something more. Both are at a crossroads, unsure whether to move forward or retreat into the safety of what they know.

The Dating Game Escalates

Determined to prove they can remain just friends, Hazel and Josh continue their double dating adventures. Each new date is more disastrous than the last, highlighting how incompatible they are with anyone but each other. The escapades are filled with humor, jealousy, and moments of unexpected tenderness. Their friends and family grow increasingly exasperated, urging them to see what's right in front of them. The dating game becomes a farce, a way to avoid confronting their true feelings. Underneath the laughter, both are wrestling with growing attraction and the fear of losing what they have.

Disasters, Disclosures, and Drunken Nights

After a particularly disastrous double date, Hazel and Josh find themselves alone, tipsy, and vulnerable. The walls between them crumble, and they sleep together—an act that is both inevitable and shocking. The next morning, both are filled with anxiety and denial, unsure how to process what happened. They agree it was a one-time mistake, a product of alcohol and loneliness, and vow to return to being just friends. But the intimacy of the night lingers, complicating their dynamic and making it impossible to ignore the depth of their connection.

Crossing the Line

Despite their best efforts, Hazel and Josh cannot undo what's been done. Their physical and emotional chemistry is undeniable, and they find themselves drawn back to each other, again and again. Each encounter is more intense, more meaningful, blurring the line between friendship and love. Yet, both are terrified—Hazel fears being too much, too chaotic for Josh, while Josh worries he isn't enough for her wild spirit. Their attempts to maintain distance only bring them closer, until they must confront the truth: they are in love, and pretending otherwise is futile.

Aftermath and Denial

In the wake of their intimacy, Hazel and Josh struggle to define what they are. Both retreat into denial, insisting they can return to friendship, even as their actions betray deeper feelings. Old insecurities resurface—Hazel's fear of being unlovable, Josh's fear of not measuring up. When Hazel's old flame Tyler reappears, she is thrown into confusion, questioning whether she should give him another chance or pursue what she truly wants. Josh, meanwhile, is paralyzed by the possibility of losing Hazel, unsure whether to fight for her or let her go.

Old Flames, New Realizations

Tyler's return forces Hazel to confront her past and her patterns of self-sabotage. As she spends time with him, she realizes that what she once thought was love pales in comparison to what she feels for Josh. Tyler's inability to accept her fully—her quirks, her wildness—stands in stark contrast to Josh's unconditional acceptance. Meanwhile, Josh grapples with his own feelings, encouraged by friends and family to be honest about what he wants. The presence of old flames brings new realizations: true love is found in being seen and cherished for exactly who you are.

Dancing in the Rain

A pivotal moment arrives when Hazel and Josh, caught up in the chaos of their emotions, let go of their fears and simply enjoy each other—dancing, laughing, and being unapologetically themselves. In the rain, on the grass, or in the kitchen, they rediscover the joy of being together. Their vulnerability becomes their strength, and they begin to imagine a future where love is messy, imperfect, and utterly real. The world may not understand their brand of happiness, but they do—and that's enough.

The Heart's Confession

After months of denial and near-misses, Hazel and Josh finally confess their love for each other. The admission is both a relief and a revelation, freeing them from the constraints of friendship and allowing them to embrace the full depth of their feelings. Their love is not the tidy, conventional kind—it is wild, chaotic, and deeply rooted in acceptance. Together, they face the uncertainties of the future, knowing that whatever comes, they will face it as partners, best friends, and soulmates.

The Unexpected Test

Just as Hazel and Josh settle into their new relationship, Hazel discovers she is pregnant. The news is both thrilling and terrifying, especially when complications arise. The pregnancy becomes a test of their love and resilience, forcing them to confront their fears and insecurities. Josh's unwavering support and Hazel's fierce determination carry them through the uncertainty. The experience cements their bond, proving that together, they can weather any storm.

Facing the Future Together

With the arrival of their child, Hazel and Josh step into a new chapter—one filled with laughter, mess, and unconditional love. Their home is a blend of order and chaos, a reflection of their personalities and their journey together. Surrounded by friends, family, and a menagerie of pets, they create a life that is uniquely theirs. The lessons of their past—acceptance, vulnerability, and the courage to love fully—guide them as they build a future together.

Love, Chaos, and Family

Years later, Hazel and Josh's life is a testament to the power of embracing one's true self and loving without reservation. Their family grows, their love deepens, and their home is filled with laughter and warmth. The chaos that once seemed like a liability is now their greatest strength, the glue that holds them together. In the end, their story is not about perfection, but about finding joy in the messiness of life and love.