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Jewel gave her an incredulous look. “It’s your birthday tomorrow.”

“Oh! I forgot.”

“You forgot?” Jewel sounded shocked. “How do you forget your birthday?”

“They don’t matter as much when you’re in your forties. Trust me.” Not to mention she didn’t really have anyone to celebrate with, so she’d largely ignored it for the last few years outside of Jewel making a deal over it.

“Every birthday matters. No matter what.” Jewel touched Azalea’s arm lightly. “How about I come over tomorrow and you and I can celebrate?”

“Sure. Before or after shopping?”

Jewel’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “After, unless you’re skipping church.”

“I’m not.”

“Then after. I’m not up for a party at the crack of dawn.”

Azalea grinned. “Your loss. Dawn is so beautiful this time of year.”

“I’ll take your word for it and avoid it as long as I have the option.”

Jewel walked with her to the door as she slipped her shoes back on and grabbed her jacket from the hall closet. All that awkward tension from the beginning of their visit came lashing back at them at the end. Azalea gripped the cold doorknob, opening it to let the sun shine through the storm door.

“See you tomorrow, then.”

“Yeah,” Jewel answered. “Tomorrow. Make sure you get your homework done so you’re not distracted.”

“That was a failed attempt at humor,” Azalea teased. “But duly noted.”

“See you.”

With that, Azalea left. She could see Jewel standing at the front door until she drove off and headed toward her house. She had never expected the conversation to take that turn, but she was pretty sure she had made her point sufficiently. Now she just had to work on her heart, and letting go of her hopes of a relationship with Jewel. Even if they liked each other, being together was going to be far more difficult than either could likely manage.