Page 11 of Moonlit Harbor Nights

She hardly knew what to say. She felt as though her insides had suddenly lit up, the compliment made her so happy. She managed to get out an, “Oh, nonsense,” and hoped she wasn’t blushing furiously.

“I mean it. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Vivian.”

“It’s been a pleasure meeting you as well.”

He offered her another handshake. “Thank you again for the meal.”

“Of course. Thank you for catching that ketchup bottle.”

She smiled at him, feeling fluttery, and made her way into the kitchen. Alexis was whizzing around placing food-covered plates on a tray and Vivian stepped up to her.

“You know, I think I will take that break, Alexis. Just for a little while. You come get me if you need me, okay?”

“Sounds great, Mom. You go take a break.” Alexis gave her mother a cheerful smile before waltzing into the dining room with the tray of entrees.

Vivian made her way to the office, where she sat down at the desk and let out a quick sigh. She clasped her hands in her lap, feeling girlish and excited.

She told herself it was foolish to be so excited about Alan. She’d only had one interaction with him, and she didn’t know if she’d ever see him again, but she had to admit to herself that she’d definitely enjoyed the attention.

It’s the first time since Frank’s passing that I’ve thought of what it might be like to be noticed again,she thought.He certainly seemed to notice me. It felt wonderful.

She gazed out the window for a moment, watching the sunlight sparkle on the snow outside. She felt charged with excitement, and although she didn’t know if she was ever going to see Alan again, she hoped very much that she would.

CHAPTER FIVE

Julia slid into a booth at The Salty Spoon and sighed in contentment. “I’m so hungry,” she said to Alexis, who had just sat down across from her. “I was up late last night figuring out a new marketing strategy for the pub. Whenever I stay up late like that, I wake up absolutely famished.”

Alexis chuckled. “Well, luckily for you, you’ve got almost unlimited breakfast options just one order away.”

Julia nodded. “So true.” Although The Lighthouse Grill was by far her favorite restaurant anywhere, The Salty Spoon was decidedly her second favorite. She’d come there often with Cooper and Macey, and she had many happy memories of eating pancakes or waffles while she and Cooper chuckled over Macey’s antics.

“Hmm,” Alexis grunted as she looked down at the menu. “I don’t know what I want.”

“Don’t you usually get the crepes with strawberries and cream? With a side of bacon?”

“I do get that a lot. But today I want something else… I just don’t know what it is.” Alexis leaned forward, concentrating.

Julia laughed. “In other words, you know you’re having some kind of pregnancy craving but you don’t know what it is you want yet.”

Alexis groaned. “You’re so right. It’s not peanut butter. I seem to be over that temporary madness, although I still do like peanut butter. I’m glad, because I started to really like it. I mean—you know what I mean.” She laughed.

“I know.” Julia grinned at her. Before becoming pregnant, Alexis had hated peanut butter. Then all at once, her pregnancy cravings had made her ravenous for peanut butter, and she started eating it all the time. Julia chuckled as her memory conjured the image of Alexis sitting on her couch, popping a whole peanut butter cookie covered in peanut butter into her mouth. “I remember you were thinking that maybe once your craving was over, you would go back to not liking it.”

“Right! And I’m so relieved that’s not the case. I mean, it’s got so much protein, and it’s sweet and smooth and creamy, or salty and chunky, and?—”

“You sure you don’t want something with peanut butter?” Julia teased, and Alexis tossed a balled-up napkin at her sister.

“No! Or—” Alexis froze, staring into space. “Maybe—I want crepes, with whipped cream, and banana slices, and strawberry slices, and chocolate chips, and?—”

“Peanut butter,” Alexis and Julia said at once, and Julia dissolved into a fit of laughter.

“Oops, I guess my obsession with peanut butter isn’t over yet.” Alexis wiped away a tear of amusement.

“That does sound seriously amazing,” Julia said. “I’d be tempted to get it too if I wasn’t set on getting a southwestern skillet.”

“We can swap bites of each other’s meals,” Alexis offered. “Maybe even ask the waitress for extra little plates.”

“Perfect.” Julia grinned at her and took another sip of her coffee. For some reason, maybe because Alexis had mentioned little plates and those made her think of Macey, Julia’s mind jumped to Cooper and Macey and how much she wanted a future with both of them. Or maybe it was because they were never far from her mind to begin with.

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