Page 17 of Sea Glass Serenade

Hazel turned around and saw Alexis grinning at her.

“You!” Hazel cried, shaking her head and laughing. “I have a bone to pick with you. How do you expect me to talk to Jacob when you’re constantly trying to get my attention to tell me to talk to him?”

Alexis shrugged, scrunching up her nose. “I could tell you hadn’t told him how you feel about him yet. I wanted to make sure I gave you a nudge so you would flirt with him, etcetera.”

“Well, I tried to flirt with him. But I’m not very good at flirting.” Hazel sighed, feeling a mixture of smitten and flustered. “And I think you’re right that I should tell him how I feel about him. But I didn’t think today was the right day to do it because he was in the middle of working.”

“Hazel.” Alexis put her hands on her hips. “Do you ever spend time with Jacob when he isn’t working?”

“I—” Hazel protested, and then she started to laugh. “Okay, okay, I see your point.”

Alexis swatted Hazel in the arm. “You need to do more to show him that you’re interested in him.”

“But—I’m flirting with him. At least, it feels like I’m flirting with him.”

Alexis shook her head. “You’re being starry-eyed and friendly, and men almost never pick up on the starry-eyed part. You need to make it abundantly clear that you’re noticing more than just his commendable skill in fixing pipes.”

Hazel sighed. “I don’t really know how to do that. It’s been such a long time since I was dating—or hoping to date—anyone.”

“Sounds like we need to have a meeting. Hey, Samantha!”

“Oh, no,” Hazel groaned and covered her face with her hands.

“Yes?” Samantha popped into the kitchen so quickly, Hazel wondered if she’d been eavesdropping from around the corner. “What’s up, Aunt Alexis?”

“Come help me and your mother brainstorm ways she can tell Jacob that she likes him.”

Hazel’s jaw dropped. “Alexis!” she squealed in protest.

“This isn’t a secret.” Alexis smiled complacently. “Samantha is very aware you have a crush on Jacob. I bet she helps us come up with some great ideas.”

“Oh, I definitely will.” Samantha grinned and slid into one of the kitchen chairs. “There’s a blank notepad in that drawer behind you, Aunt Alexis. You can use that.”

“Perfect.” Alexis opened the drawer and took out the notepad. “Sit down, sister. You’re not leaving this kitchen until we come up with a list of ideas.”

Hazel threw back her head laughing. As bossy as Alexis was being, she knew it came out of a place of love, and she had to admit to herself that she could use the help. She sat down at the kitchen table next to Samantha, and Alexis whipped up some popcorn for them to munch on while they planned.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Hazel groaned as Alexis set down a bowl of hot, buttery popcorn in the center of the table.

“It’ll be fun, Mom.” Samantha took a fistful of popcorn and tossed some of the kernels into her mouth. “Wow, this is really good. Thanks, Aunt Alexis.”

“You’re so welcome. And I agree, this is going to be fun. What are some memorable ways that Hazel could tell Jacob how she feels about him?”

“Write him a long letter and then leave town, never to return again,” suggested Hazel in a monotone.

“Not an option,” Samantha said calmly. “You have to feed me.”

“I’d take you with me,” said Hazel.

Alexis shook her head, laughing. “Ideas that don’t involve Hazel leaving town. Remember.” She reached over and squeezed Hazel’s hand. “There’s a huge chance he likes you too. Be brave. Let yourself enjoy this.”

Hazel let out a nervous whimper, but then she nodded and forced herself to smile. “You’re right. I will try to enjoy this. And I will definitely enjoy sitting here spending time with two of my favorite women.” She waggled her brows at both of them.

“That’s the spirit.” Alexis nodded firmly and clicked her pen open, getting ready to write. “You could go the letter route without the leaving town part.”

“Maybe.” Hazel leaned back in her chair, staring into space. It felt odd to actually be planning something like this. Her heart was thumping in her chest, but she did feel happy as she sat there with her sister and daughter, making plans for the future. “But I’m remembering what Dean said when we were talking about Julia telling Cooper she loves him. He said that all men like things to be straightforward, and she should just get right to the point. Maybe I should take that approach.”

“Rip off the Band-Aid.” Samantha nodded. “Just walk up to him and say, ‘Jacob. I like you. Would you get coffee with me sometime?’”

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