Page 43 of Sea Glass Serenade

“It’s going to go great. You’re going to walk in there to his—what is it again? An office building?”

“Kind of. He’s got his own office where he keeps his supplies and where people come to him for consultations sometimes. He said people tend to take it better that you’re going to have to charge them a lot of money if you’re sitting behind a desk instead of standing in their kitchen.” She laughed at the memory, remembering the playful grimace he’d made when he’d said the words.

“Well, perfect. You’re going to go to his office, and he’s going to think, ‘Wow, Hazel is going to hire me for a job,’ but then you’re going to show him that basket and he’s going to say, ‘For me?’ and be totally thrilled. And then you’re going to say, ‘Yes, for you. I like you. Come get dinner with me, I think you’re handsome.’”

Hazel knew that her sister was trying to get her to laugh, and it was definitely working. “That sounds like a Samantha version of the story.”

“Mm, it sounds like an accurate version of the story to me.”

“Yup, I’m definitely going to say everything just like that.”

“Well, of course.”

Still chuckling, Hazel pulled into the parking lot of The Salty Spoon. “What do you say to grabbing some coffee first?”

“I say, you shouldn’t procrastinate too long, but also I love coffee. Sounds great to me.”

They got out of the car and stepped inside the bustling, savory-smelling restaurant. Hazel had the gift basket for Jacob hanging on her arm, since she didn’t want the candies that she’d put inside it to get too hot and melt in the car. The Salty Spoon was both a sit-down place and a coffee shop, and the rich, nuttyaroma of coffee filled the air as she and Alexis approached the counter.

Hazel and Alexis were whispering and giggling to each other, and for a couple of moments, Hazel didn’t realize who was in line in front of them. But when the barista said, “Coffee for Jacob,” her heart rate suddenly picked up.

Jacob was standing there at the edge of the counter, wearing a nice t-shirt and a baseball cap. He was being handed a couple of coffees by the barista, and he was smiling and looking as charmingly amiable as ever.

“It’s Jacob!” whispered Alexis, looking ecstatic. “This is it! It’s your moment. Tell him.”

Hazel’s heart was hammering, and even though she was thrilled to see Jacob, she suddenly felt as though she couldn’t breathe. Now that the moment had arrived, she wasn’t sure she was brave enough. What if he turned her down?

Alexis squeezed her sister’s shoulder. “You can do it,” she whispered. “Now is the time. Just take a deep breath and go for it. I’ll be waiting back in the car. Get me a coffee.”

Alexis turned around and scampered off before Hazel could protest. For a split second, she considered following her sister, but then Jacob turned around and saw her. His face lit up into a grin.

“Hazel! How are you?”

“Great.” She smiled back at him, feeling calmed by his sturdy, cheerful energy. “How are you?”

“Oh, good, good. Can’t complain. Good things are happening.”

“I was actually on my way over to see you. I have something I want to talk with you about.” She was a little breathless, but proud of herself for doing what she knew she wanted to do.

“Oh, really?” He looked worried. “Is that pipe not behaving the way it should? It’s not leaking, is it? Or is your bathroom sink acting up again?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “It’s nothing like that. No, it’s?—”

An espresso machine behind them made a whizzing sound, and she jumped at the sudden noise, startled. Her words broke off, and it hit her in a rush how jittery she still was.

I’ve got to just do this,she thought, feeling her heart race.

She took a deep breath. “It’s something far more important.”

Jacob opened his mouth, about to speak, but then he noticed something over Hazel’s shoulder and his face lit up into a grin.

“I’m so sorry I’m late!” a light, feminine voice called out from across the coffee shop.

Seconds later, a woman appeared, stepping up to Jacob and giving him a sideways hug. She was very pretty, with straight dark hair and smoky eye makeup, and she was wearing chic heels. Hazel gazed at her in confusion for a heartbeat or two, wondering if Jacob had a sister that she somehow didn’t know about.

And then she realized what was happening, just before Jacob said it out loud.

“Hazel, this is my girlfriend, Beatrice.”

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