Page 5 of Sea Glass Serenade

“Sounds like a great day.” She took a bite of her tiramisu, and the creamy cake seemed to melt in her mouth.

“How about you? Other than cook that delicious meal, what did you do?”

“I worked on the pub’s finances for a while, and I went out to bus some tables when they were busy. I’m like the strange hermit of the restaurant—I’m usually holed up in the back office, but sometimes I emerge to help with the dishes.”

“Are hermits known for helping with dishes?”

“Oh, yeah. Didn’t you know?”

“I didn’t. I think we need a hermit close by my house. Maybe one in the backyard.”

She laughed, and he laughed with her, his deep tone mingling with her lighter one. She loved spending time with him, she reflected warmly. She found herself gazing at him as he looked out across the yard, and her heart thumped with fear again.

Falling in love was scary, she thought, but she was determined to not let herself overthink things and get spooked. After all, she had no idea what was coming next. It might all be wonderful.

CHAPTER FOUR

Alexis walked slowly along the aisles of Turner’s Hardware Store. She loved the smell of the place, and she had ever since she was a kid. It smelled of sawdust and endless potential. She loved hardware stores, and every time she was in one, she got excited, thinking about all of the projects that people could complete with the supplies there. Her creative instincts, usually half-buried, woke up inside a hardware store, and she yearned to make things and use her hands.

She was smiling to herself, thinking about how long it had been since she’d been inside a hardware store, when she turned around a corner and nearly collided with a man.

“Dean!” She laughed, happy to see her brother.

“Hey, sister.” He gave her a bear hug with one arm, since his other arm was filled with car parts. Dean ran the local auto repair shop and was well-respected as a fair and capable mechanic. “What brings you here to my side of the tracks? Shouldn’t you be in a makeup boutique or something?”

She wrinkled her nose at his teasing. “Just because I love makeup and fashion doesn’t mean I don’t also love getting my hands dirty. You know I used to love hardware stores.”

“Sure, but that was back before you became a city slicker.”

She shook her head, chuckling. “Oh, shush. You can take the girl out of the small town, but you can’t take the small town out of the girl.”

He dipped his chin in acknowledgement. “Fair enough. So what brings you in here?”

“I’m picking up some paint and backsplash tiles for Hazel’s kitchen. She was saying she’s been wanting to do a little renovation for a long time now, and I told her I’d help her out.”

“That sounds nice.” He grinned. “You seem to be getting pretty invested in your new living space.”

She chuckled. “I can’t live with Hazel and Samantha forever. It’s been a really wonderful time—they’re the best sister and niece roomies a girl could ask for—but it’s not like I’m planning on moving in with them permanently.”

A sympathetic gleam appeared in Dean’s eyes. “Does that mean you’re planning on going back to L.A. to work things out with Grayson?”

She let out a long sigh. “I know that I need to. But not just yet. I feel like I’m needed here, helping keep The Lighthouse Grill on its feet and making sure Mom gets enough rest.”

She didn’t say it out loud, but it was also true that she simply wanted more time in Rosewood Beach. She felt as though she was healing there, and finding a purpose that she hadn’t had in L.A. She loved being able to work and stay active every day. That wasn’t something that she had back in her mansion in California.

“I understand.” He smiled at her. “I know you’re going to make the right decision. You’re a smart cookie.”

“Thanks, Dean.” She smiled back at him.

He helped her pick out the paint and backsplash tiles, and then they walked up to the register together.

“Ladies first,” he said, grinning and bowing gallantly.

Alexis laughed. “Okay, thanks.”

She started to make her purchases and noticed an attractive young woman step into line behind Dean. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the woman looking at Dean with more than a friendly interest. It was clear she found him attractive.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” the young woman said to Dean.

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