Page 28 of Return to Rosewood Beach

“Well, it was my first crush, not yours.” Hazel poked Julia’s side playfully, and then glanced over at the necklace Samantha was still holding. “I agree. That one looks great. Pair it with those little gold studs.”

Julia did feel a little bit like Cinderella being transformed for the ball as they handed her the necklace and the earrings. She put them on carefully, and then turned around in a circle as they applauded.

“Yup. Now you’re perfect.” Hazel’s eyes were twinkling as she nodded in approval.

“You look really pretty, Aunt Julia.” Samantha sighed dreamily as if Julia was actually wearing some kind of ballgown instead of jeans and a white t-shirt under one of her most casual blazers.

“Thank you both. You’ve helped me feel so much less nervous.” Julia beamed at them.

“Why be nervous?” Hazel shook her head. “He likes you, you like him, you both like ice cream. Sounds like a perfect afternoon.”

“Oh, Hazel, it’s more complicated than that.” Julia sighed. “I do like him, but—well, I’m worried about getting involved with someone here in town. I’m here for now, but I live in New York. I may not have a job there anymore, but it’s where I live. I can’t see myself staying in Rosewood.”

“Hey, you don’t know what’s going to happen.” Hazel waved her hand through the air dismissively. “Besides, maybe he isn’t planning on staying here either.”

“It isn’t just that. I’m having trouble picturing myself with someone who has a kid already. She’s adorable, but—well, I’m worried that the fast-paced nature of my life would make that complicated.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, and don’t overcomplicate things,” Hazel said, sitting down on Julia’s old twin-sized bed and smiling at her sister. “Just be in the moment. What will be, will be.”

“Oh, I don’t know if I can manage that.” Julia sat down on the bed next to Hazel and groaned. “My brain is always thinking ahead and trying to make a plan.”

Hazel put her hands on either side of Julia’s head. “Shush, Julia’s brain. Just enjoy the date.”

Julia laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll do my best.”

“You’ll look into his beautiful eyes and feel so swoony that you won’t be able to think about anything other than how thrilling it is to be spending time with him,” Hazel said, pretending to swoon.

“How do you know his eyes are beautiful?” Julia felt herself blushing a little as she reflected that Cooper really did have wonderful eyes.

“Everyone’s eyes are beautiful if you like them.” Hazel clasped her hands over her chest, and Julia threw a pillow at her.

The doorbell rang, and all three of them exclaimed in excitement.

“That’s him, right?” Samantha said, running up to the window and looking outside.

“You can’t see the front door from here, silly,” Hazel teased her. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.”

Julia’s heart lifted up with excitement. She told herself that Hazel was right, and she shouldn’t let herself get stressed out about the upcoming date. It was going to be a great time—just her and Cooper, getting to know each other and taking things easily.

The three of them scampered downstairs to the front door, and Julia smoothed her hair down before tugging it open.

The first thing she saw was Cooper standing there, smiling shyly at her, and her heart did a somersault. The next thing she saw made her mouth pop open in surprise. Next to Cooper, holding his hand, was his little girl Macey.

“Oh! Hi,” she said, blinking in surprise. She felt as though she’d been thrown a little bit of a curveball, since she distinctly remembered Cooper telling her that his little girl was going to be in daycare during their date.

“Hey, Julia.” Cooper was still smiling, but he rolled his shoulders back a little, showing discomfort. “I wasn’t able to bring Macey to daycare today, because she’s got some sniffles.I’m sorry, I hope that’s all right with you. I—well, I didn’t want to cancel.” He gave her a smile that she found so adorable that for a moment she forgot about everything else.

“I—oh, yes, that’s absolutely fine.” She crouched down and waved at the little girl, who smiled back shyly at her. The truth was that she was disappointed it wasn’t going to be just her and Cooper on the date. She felt as though she didn’t know how to handle children, and the idea of Macey coming along on the date with them made her jitters return in full force. She felt worried that she wouldn’t be good with Macey and that Cooper would stop feeling interested in her.

“Hey, Macey,” she said, smiling back at the little girl. She was determined to do her best to become more comfortable interacting with children. “Do you remember me?”

Macey shook her head, hiding behind Cooper’s legs a little.

“Her hair is different today, Macey.” Cooper looked down at his daughter fondly. “She was the lady in the restaurant who helped us clean up your chocolate milk.”

Macey just blinked at Julia, who stood up with a smile.

“It’s okay, I’m sure she’ll remember me after today.”

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