Page 57 of Sea Glass Serenade

“Hey, she smiled! That’s a good sign.” Dean grinned.

Alexis groaned, shaking her head and laughing. “You three! Stop watching my every move. I’m regretting asking you to come with me.”

“No, you’re not,” Dean said complacently.

“Not only are we fun to have around, but we brought snacks.” Hazel gestured to them. “Here, have another granola bite.”

Chuckling, Alexis took the granola bite that Hazel handed her. Dean was right, she thought to herself, she wasn’t sorry. She was very grateful to have her siblings there with her while she waited. Their moral support meant a great deal to her.

She glanced at her watch, letting out a long sigh. “Uh, it’s five minutes after seven now. Maybe this isn’t a good idea. Do you think this is really a good idea?”

“Yes!” Hazel nodded firmly.

“Of course it is!” Julia reached over and squeezed Alexis’s hand.

“Alexis, that has to be the thousandth time you’ve asked us that question. We still think it’s a good idea.” Dean laughed, looking as carefree and happy as he always had. Alexis smiled at him, feeling overjoyed that her brother was doing so well.

“You need to stop worrying.” Julia shook her head, chuckling. “Take some deep breaths.”

Alexis took a long, deep breath but she still felt jittery afterward. “But why is Grayson so late?”

“Five minutes late isn’t very late,” Dean said, popping another granola bite into his mouth.

“But he’s usually early.” Alexis shook her head. “And he hasn’t texted me to let me know that he’s going to be late.”

“Well, probably because he’s driving—hey, there he is!” Julia grinned, pointing to the car that was parking along the sidewalk behind them.

“Ah!” Alexis spilled out of the car, grabbing her purse in a rush. She hurried along the sidewalk toward her husband’s car, feeling butterflies swirling in her chest. Behind her she heard Hazel say, “Should we just stay in the car?” but she was too excited to see Grayson to turn around and reply to her sister.

Grayson stepped out of his car, smiling at her. There was a sweet tenderness in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat. He was wearing a deep blue dress shirt and black slacks, a work outfit that looked almost casual on him compared to the expensive suits that he’d worn in L.A.

“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching for her and pulling her into a hug as soon as she reached his side. “I love that dress. Is it new?”

She looked down at the yellow sundress that she’d had for several years and smiled. He’d never noticed it before, and it felt wonderful that he was noticing it now. “No, but I’m glad you like it.” She grabbed his hand, feeling a surge of excitement. “Come with me.”

“Um, okay, but—hey, are those your siblings?”

Dean, Hazel, and Julia got out of the car, all smiling widely and looking slightly impish. Dean was still holding the bag of granola bites and he offered one to Grayson.

“Would you like a granola bite?”

Grayson took it, frowning a little in confusion. “Uh, sure. What’s going on? Why did you ask to meet me here, Alexis?” He gestured to all of the charming houses that lined the street on either side. “Is there a coffee shop in here or something?”

She shook her head, trying not to grin too hard. She didn’t want him to guess before she told him. She still felt fluttery withnervousness, but now that the moment had arrived, she was also full to bursting with anticipation.

“Come with me,” she said. She squeezed his hand and started leading him down the sidewalk. Her siblings followed, whispering together and grinning. Grayson kept glancing over his shoulder at them, still looking confused but chuckling a little.

“They clearly know something I don’t know,” he said. “What’s the conspiracy?”

She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. Just come with me.”

She led him up the walkway of a charming red brick colonial house. Flower beds bordered the front of the house, and the leaves of a maple tree whispered together in the light breeze. The windows of the house were dark, but the whole place looked clean, well-cared for, and inviting.

“Do we know the person who lives here?” Grayson asked, following Alexis up to the front door.

“Um, yes,” she said, hiding a smile. She pulled a key from her pocket and opened the green front door.

It swung open, revealing an open living room to the left and glimpses of a kitchen at the end of the hallway. The whole house smelled fresh and faintly of cedar.

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