Page 38 of Sea Glass Serenade

She sighed as she turned toward the sink, which was full of dirty dishes. She liked washing dishes, because it always gave her time to think. She knew that she was going to stand there, up to her elbows in soap suds, and picture giving the basket to Jacob over and over again. She knew her daydreams were building up her expectations for the moment, and they were also building her resolve. She couldn’t wait to give her gift to her crush and tell him how much he meant to her.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Alexis tapped her fingers against the side of her coffee cup. On the kitchen table in front of her was her planner and a couple of colored pens. She was writing out her schedule for the day, a task she always enjoyed.

“Aunt Alexis, could you pass the hash browns?”

Alexis looked up and smiled at Samantha, who was wearing a pink hoodie and a t-shirt that said,I love dogs.“You mean these amazing hash browns that my niece made? I would love to.”

Samantha flushed at the praise as Alexis passed the steaming bowl filled with hash browns across the table, and Hazel scooped some onto her own plate too before passing them back to Alexis.

Breakfasts at Hazel’s house were always delicious, but Alexis had to admit that this was a particularly good one. They had breakfast sandwiches made of sausage, fried egg, avocado, and cheese on English muffins, with hash browns and sliced mangos on the side. They were all drinking orange juice, and Hazel and Alexis were drinking a rich, nutty coffee as well. Sunlight was spilling onto the table through the windows of the kitchen, and outside they could hear birds chirping in the trees.

It’s going to be a beautiful day,Alexis thought, smiling to herself.

She looked down at her to-do list for the day as she took another bite out of her sandwich. Before working the afternoon shift at the pub, she was going to accompany Vivian to a routine doctor’s appointment, buy supplies for The Lighthouse Grill, and complete a few easy but important housekeeping tasks at the pub before it opened. She loved working at the pub, and being a part of keeping it running gave her an immense sense of satisfaction.

She looked up and caught Hazel staring at the gift basket on top of the refrigerator with a dreamy expression. She chuckled, knowing that her sister was looking forward to giving the basket to Jacob.

“When are you going to talk to that man, huh?” Alexis grinned at Hazel, who started guiltily and began to blush.

“Soon.” Hazel laughed, running her fingers through her hair. “He’s out of town today, but he’ll be back tomorrow. I’m getting more and more excited all the time.”

“I can imagine.” Alexis smiled. “I can’t wait to hear about how it goes tomorrow.”

“It’s going to be so romantic.” Samantha sighed, looking dreamily into her glass of orange juice. “You’re going to tell him that you love him, and he’s going to get down on his knees and tell you that he’s always loved you and he wants to marry you.”

Both Alexis and Hazel burst out laughing, although Hazel began to blush furiously.

“No, it won’t happen like that, honey,” Hazel said, shaking her head. “But I do think he’ll agree to come to dinner with me. And I hope he likes the basket I made him.”

“I’m sure he will.” Alexis winked. “I bet he?—”

She was about to say more, but at that moment, there was a knock on the back door.

“Ooh, a visitor!” Samantha said eagerly, leaning back in her chair in hopes that she could see the person from the kitchen window. “Maybe it’s a package being delivered.”

“Only one way to find out.” Hazel brushed her hands together purposefully as she stood up and made her way to the back door. She pulled it open and froze for a second when she saw who it was.

Alexis peered past her sister’s shoulder, wondering what had prompted that reaction, and her stomach swooped as if she was on a rollercoaster.

Grayson was standing on the back steps, looking a little awkward. He cleared his throat gently.

“I’m sorry if I’m intruding, but I wanted to talk to Alexis. Is she here?”

Alexis felt her heart start beating faster at the sight of him. He was wearing dark jeans and a casual button-up shirt, and he looked handsome, standing there in the sunlight. Even so, she also felt a rush of nervousness, and she knew that the quiet, comfortable morning that she’d planned for herself was about to be disrupted.

“Of course, come on in.” Hazel smiled at him warmly, and as soon as he turned toward the table, she gave Alexis a look over his shoulder. She seemed to be saying, “Okay, give him a chance, Alexis,” with her eyes.

Grayson looked at Alexis and nodded. He didn’t smile, but she saw tenderness in his eyes. He stood awkwardly by the door and didn’t take any steps into the room.

“Come and sit down at the table.” Hazel made her way back to her chair, smiling encouragingly at him. “We’re just having breakfast, and you’re more than welcome to join us. Have you eaten?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t. Thank you very much.”

He sat down awkwardly in the empty chair at the end of the table, and Samantha hopped up to get him a plate, silverware, and a glass.

“Do you want coffee, Uncle Grayson?” she asked.

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