Page 27 of Return to Rosewood Beach

“You look really nice, Julia,” Hazel said, smiling slyly. “What’s the occasion?”

Julia gave her sister a look. “I dress like this all the time, and you know it.” She gestured to her pencil skirt and light green blazer. “Almost all of my wardrobe is business attire.”

“Yeah, but you don’t usually wear light colors and I haven’t seen your hair down like that in years.” Hazel was grinning as they stepped inside the kitchen. “You’re going on a date, aren’t you?”

“A date?” Samantha squealed.

Julia leaned her head back and groaned. “Fine. Yes. I am going on a date.”

“With chocolate milk guy?”

“Oh, please don’t call him that.”

“I knew it!” Hazel let out a crow of laughter as she set the casserole down on the counter with a triumphant plunk. “I knew he was going to ask you out.”

“You’re going on a date?” Samantha set down the Tupperware full of muffins and scampered over to Julia. “Today? Now?”

“Yeah, in a little bit.” Julia couldn’t help smiling over their enthusiasm, since it showed how much they cared about her. “We’re going to go get some ice cream, I guess. And go for a walk.”

“Give us the details,” Hazel begged. “When did he ask you? We’ve been so busy with everything, I’m surprised he got a chance to ask you out.”

“Well, he asked me out at the funeral, actually.” Julia blushed a little as she remembered how sweet he’d been, giving her half his sandwich as they sat under the willow tree together. “I stepped out during the reception. I just needed a breather, time to process everything, you know? Or try to, anyway. And he came up to me and saw that I was crying, and then we satdown on a bench under a willow tree and talked for a while. Then he asked me out.” She wondered if her eyes were shining as she talked about him. She couldn’t help feeling a little giddy remembering the encounter, but she knew that if she let on how much she liked him, Hazel and Samantha would never leave her alone about it.

“Under a willow tree in the rain? That’s so romantic.” Samantha clasped her hands together, looking starstruck.

Julia laughed. “I guess it was. He’s very kind, and I—well, I like that. But today is just one meet-up, it’s not like we’ve decided to start dating or anything.”

“Yeah, but who knows what’s going to happen?” Hazel grinned at her. “You look positively radiant. You really like this guy, admit it.”

“I am really excited.” Julia felt herself blushing again. “But I’m so nervous too. I’ve been hemming and hawing over what to wear for about an hour.”

She remembered how much trouble she’d always had dressing for important business events and meetings, and she realized that she was having even more trouble dressing for her date with Cooper. She couldn’t help smiling a little over the realization, since he was so much less intimidating than a room full of business people.

“Well, sounds like you need some sisterly advice.” Hazel grinned as she opened the refrigerator and popped the casserole inside. “So far, you look like you’re going to a job interview. Ditch the skirt.”

Julia looked down. “But I like this skirt.”

“I know you must have at least two pairs of jeans in your wardrobe, I’ve seen you wearing them. Wear those.”

“Besides, if you’re getting ice cream and going for a walk, you need comfortable shoes. It’ll be hard to pair comfortable shoes with a pencil skirt.” Samantha nodded sagely.

“Oh, I guess you’re right.” Julia sighed, but she couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll go get changed.”

“And then let us help you pick out some jewelry!” Hazel called after her as she made her way back to her bedroom. “You should have some earrings and some kind of necklace.”

Julia laughed as she shut the door to her room. It felt fun to have Hazel and Samantha there, helping her get ready. Their enthusiasm helped soothe some of her jitters.

She quickly got changed into a pair of black jeans and tugged a pair of comfortable flats out of her closet.

“Okay!” She opened the door to her room. “Come on, fairy godmothers, help me get ready for this date.”

“Yay!” Samantha squealed excitedly and scampered into Julia’s bedroom. She made a beeline for Julia’s dresser, where Julia had previously set out all of her jewelry in neat little rows.

“I like this gold necklace.” Samantha held up a gold necklace with multiple thin chains. “It looks elegant but not too fancy.”

Hazel followed her daughter into Julia’s room, grinning. “Wow, it’s a blast from the past to see you in here again, Julia. And here we are, talking about boys again. I remember I was in that chair right there when I told you about my first crush.”

“I can’t believe you remember that.” Julia laughed. “I remember talking with you in here late at night with Alexis, but I don’t remember that part specifically.”

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