Beach Vibes

Chapter 15

15

Jana sat on Rick’s leather sofa wearing his oversize plush bathrobe and nothing else. Several open cartons of Chinese food were on the coffee table in front of them. The evening was cool and a little foggy, so the gas fireplace was on, and soft jazz played from hidden speakers.

She used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of General Tso’s chicken and thought to herself how she could get used to living like this. A great condo with a view of the water, sex with a very nice man who was intent on pleasing her in and out of bed, and delicious food.

Rick had pulled on jeans and a T-shirt after they’d made love and ordered in dinner. Now he smiled at her.

“You’re so beautiful.”

She laughed. “Thanks. I’m a little mussed, but I feel good.” She raised her eyebrows. “I’m trying to decide if your skill in bed is about your doctor training or it was just something you were born with.”

He ducked his head a little. “I like making you happy.”

“You do a good job of it.”

He leaned forward and lightly kissed her. “I’m sorry work’s been so busy. I’ve missed seeing you. I also want to get our weekend away planned. I just need a few more days to pull together my schedule.”

“Of course.” While she wanted to go away with him, she was willing to wait until the time was right. Now that she’d gotten into nursing school, she was feeling very mellow about everything.

As they chatted, she thought about how much she liked him. She wasn’t in love with him—unlike her brother, she needed more than fifteen minutes to feel she’d found “the one”—but she thought maybe she and Rick had possibilities. She wanted to keep seeing him for sure, and if things worked out…

“Do you want to meet Linnie?” she blurted.

Rick looked at her in surprise. “Your daughter? Of course.” He brightened. “Are you ready for that? I wouldn’t want to rush either of you.”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” she admitted.

“I like kids. I don’t have a lot to do with them, but I’d like to get to know her.”

“I’m glad. Teddy and I were talking about maybe a family get-together. Something low-key. A barbecue one afternoon.”

“I’m in.”

“Good. So it would be you, me and Linnie, Teddy and his three, Beth, Dex and whomever Dex is currently seeing. How does that sound?”

He set down his plate and chopsticks. “Why would Beth be there?”

Jana stared at him in confusion. “Because they’re dating.”

“Teddy and Beth?” He stared at her, obviously clueless about their status. “What are you talking about? They’re not dating. They can’t be.”

Now it was her turn to not know what was going on. “She didn’t tell you? They’ve been going out for a few weeks now.”

He rose and crossed to the window. His shoulders were tense, and a knot of worry formed in her stomach.

How could he not have known? Beth had mentioned she hadn’t talked to him in a while, but surely she would have mentioned the new man in her life. Although looking at Rick now, she would guess Beth hadn’t mentioned anything.

“Rick?”

His body relaxed, and he turned to face her, then walked back to the sofa.

“Sorry,” he said, then shrugged. “I’ve been so busy with work, Beth and I haven’t talked much. Or I guess at all.” He looked away, then back at her. “I was, ah, I was hurt that she hadn’t said anything. I didn’t think she’d seen anyone since Ian, so this is a big deal, right?”

Her heart melted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s okay. We’re both busy. And it’s not like I told her about dating you right away.” He reached for his plate. “Teddy, huh? I didn’t see that coming.”

“You remember when they met, right? At his place when you two came over?”

He nodded. “I figured that was it. I didn’t notice anything between them.” He gave a self-deprecating smile. “Not that I would see that sort of thing.” He looked at her. “So we’ll have a big family barbecue. I finally get to meet Linnie. I can’t wait, Jana.”

“I’m excited, too.”

* * *

About four in the afternoon, Rick walked into Surf Sandwiches. Beth was helping out with the post–high school rush. She started to smile at her brother only to realize from his stark expression that something was seriously wrong.

She immediately stripped off her gloves and motioned for him to follow her into the break room, where she closed the door before asking, “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

He glared at her. “What the hell, Beth? You’re dating Jana’s brother?”

The words were so unexpected, she had to take a second for them to sink in. Once they did, she didn’t understand his attitude any more than she had before.

“We’ve been going out for a few weeks now. Are you upset about that?”

“Upset?” He offered a cold laugh. “Pissed is more like it. You didn’t think to say anything?”

“We haven’t talked. You’ve been busy with work. I don’t understand. Why are you mad? You’ve never cared about who I dated before.”

“You don’t date,” he said, his voice loud. “And it’s Jana’s brother. That’s information I should have.”

“Why? How does my dating Teddy affect you? Rick, what’s going on? You’re acting strange. Who I go out with shouldn’t matter to you.”

He turned away. “It does this time, and a little advanced notice would have been helpful. I still don’t know how it happened.”

“Us dating? He asked me out.”

He spun back to her. “Why? What did you do?”

Now she was starting to get annoyed. “Thanks for the compliment. You were there when we met. We talked, we liked each other and he asked me out.”

“Just like that? There’s nothing else going on?”

She threw up her hands. “What else would there be? Are you asking if I drugged him with a love potion because there’s no other way he’d want to date me? I mean it, Rick. What’s wrong with you?”

Her brother ignored the question. “You can’t keep seeing him. I’m with Jana. We were together first. You have no right to do this.”

“Because he’s her brother?”

“It’s a complication I don’t need.”

He’d moved from annoying to taking an apartment in stubborn town, she thought grimly. “You’re not making any sense.”

He glared at her. “If it doesn’t work out with Jana, you’ll still be seeing her brother. That will be impossible for me.”

She wasn’t sure when he’d become a stranger, but honest to God, she didn’t know the man standing in front of her. Worse, she didn’t like him at all. Anger gave her strength and courage. She didn’t usually stand up to her brother, but maybe it was time for that to change.

“No,” she said loudly. “You don’t get a say in my personal life. Who I date doesn’t affect you, and while I used to care about your opinion, right now I don’t. I’ll see Teddy for as long as we both want that. You can keep dating Jana or not. That’s on you. I have no idea what’s going on with you, but it’s something.”

She squared her shoulders. “This is where I work, Rick. Next time you want to act like a jerk, don’t do it during business hours.” She pointed at the door. “Unless you want to apologize for whatever this was, it’s time for you to leave.”

He glared at her with a coldness that chilled her to her bones. “Whatever,” he muttered before stalking out of the break room.

She stayed where she was for a few seconds so she could catch her breath and urge her heart to slow down. Tension tightened every muscle, and her breathing was rapid. She felt like she’d been in a car accident or some other kind of trauma. She had no idea what Rick had been thinking to attack her like that.

Still confused, she hurried back to the front of the store. There were customers to serve. She washed her hands and got behind the counter, where she smiled brightly and began adding condiments onto sandwiches.

A half hour later, the crowd cleared. Kai cornered her by the drinks and asked in a low voice, “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Her bright tone was faked, but she didn’t want him to know what had happened. “Rick just, ah, had a question.”

Kai stared at her. “It was a whole lot more than that.”

She flushed. “You heard?”

“Bits and pieces.”

Note to self , she thought grimly. There were to be no personal conversations in the break room unless the store was empty.

She looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then quietly said, “I don’t get it. He’s mad because I’m dating Teddy.”

Kai shook his head. “He’s mad because you’re dating Jana’s brother. There’s a difference.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, but that’s what he kept saying. Jana’s brother. He never called him Teddy.”

She hadn’t noticed. “I’m not sure that matters, but he was so strange.”

He held up both hands. “I have no idea what’s going on with him, B. I just know he’s worried about something.”

* * *

Beth arrived at Teddy’s house for the infamous barbecue with no clearer understanding about Rick’s problem. He hadn’t reached out to her, and she couldn’t bring herself to text him. She was annoyed, hurt and more than a little confused. She couldn’t remember him ever talking to her like that before, and she hadn’t liked it.

Despite her apprehension, she’d agreed to the Saturday late-afternoon date Teddy had suggested. She would arrive at four, the barbecue would be at five thirty, and she would be home by eight. She would host him for dinner on Sunday night when it would just be the two of them. Something he’d brought up at least sixteen times. His eagerness to be alone with her was gratifying as she found herself needing Teddy time for sure.

She parked in the driveway as she had the first time she’d been to the house. Back then she’d been just as nervous, but for different reasons. As before, Rick hadn’t arrived yet, and she was grateful. She would rather get in and be settled before he showed up. She had no idea if he was going to say anything mean or rude. It wasn’t like him, but since his unexpected visit to the store, she wasn’t sure about anything when it came to her brother.

Teddy pulled open the front door before she could knock. He took the large bakery box from her, set it on the table by the door, then drew her into his arms and kissed her with a thoroughness that stole her breath away.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured against her mouth. “It’s been too long.”

She laughed. “Three days?”

“Nearly a lifetime.”

He kissed her again, more slowly this time. She leaned into him, savoring the feel of his hard body against hers. Wanting grew—delicious and a tiny bit frustrating. Because they still weren’t lovers, and there was no way that status was going to change today.

She drew back and stared into his dark blue eyes. “Hi.”

He smiled. “Hi, yourself. Ready for this?”

Her smile faded as she remembered why she was here. “Oh, God. Your children. Did you mean to have three?”

He laughed. “You’ll do great.”

She pointed to the large pink box. “Are they going to judge me because I didn’t bake?”

“This is a judgment-free zone.”

“You have no idea how much I wish that was true.” She picked up the box. “I’m bribing them with a bear cake. Is it wrong? Probably, but I’ll take the stain on my soul.”

“Bear cake. What do you mean?”

They went into the kitchen. She carefully unfastened the box and let the sides fall away. Inside was a tall round cake covered in rich brown rosettes. She turned the cake so he could see the big black eyes, the long lashes and the bulbous nose. Large bear ears sat on top of the cake with a two-inch marzipan bee by one of them. The animal’s expression was friendly, and the bee had a tiny smile.

“It’s all edible,” she said. “The decorations are mostly sugar. Actually the whole thing is mostly sugar. But it’s cute, and I thought they might like it.” And by association, her.

She twisted her hands together as she looked from the cake to him. “Too much?”

He put his arm around her. “It’s perfect. They’re going to love it.”

“I hope so.”

Jana walked into the kitchen. “Hi. I thought I heard voices. How are you—” She caught sight of the cake and clapped her hands together. “Oh, look! It’s a bear. So adorable. Where did you find that?”

Beth felt some of her tension ease. “There’s a bakery I know. They do whimsical cakes, and I thought the kids might like this one.”

“They’re going to love it.”

“Hey, it’s me,” a male voice called.

“In the kitchen.” Jana turned back to her. “You haven’t met Dex yet, have you?”

Beth shook her head and quickly rubbed her hands against her jeans. A day of reckoning, she thought frantically. The children and the best friend. Oh, please, oh, please let it go well.

A man walked into the kitchen and smiled. Beth glanced at him, prepared to walk over and hold out her hand for an introduction. Instead she found she couldn’t move.

She was staring at a surprisingly familiar face—one she’d seen hundreds of times up on the big screen, or in her living room when she’d streamed a movie. She’d seen him as a Special Forces leader who saved the village and got the girl. He’d been a spaceship pilot, a firefighter and a spy whose sense of humor and ability to get out of tight situations had rivaled the old James Bond movies.

“Shit,” Teddy said, his voice coming from behind her. “We didn’t tell her.”

Jana moved next to Beth. “I’m sorry. I forgot. I’m a terrible friend.”

Beth looked at her, trying to understand the words, but she couldn’t. The moment was too surreal. Yes, this was Malibu, and famous people were part of everyday life. Just not Dex Sanders in Teddy’s kitchen.

“You’re the best friend,” Beth managed.

Dex smiled at her. “For what? More than twenty years. We met on the set of That Last Year . He’s tried to shake me a few times, but I’m like a tick. I don’t let go.”

That Last Year? That Last Year? Her already spinning brain struggled to remember the old sitcom. It had been about a working-class family living in the Midwest, but the real stars had been the two brothers. If Dex had been one of them…

She turned to look at Teddy. He was older and he’d changed, of course, but somehow she now saw he looked exactly like—

“You’re Theo Mead, who played Sammy?”

Teddy shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah. Sorry. I probably should have said something. If people recognize me, I’ll talk about it, but that’s not part of my everyday life, and when you didn’t mention it, I kind of forgot.”

He’d forgotten that he’d been part of one of the most popular television shows in the country? She still remembered watching the last episode and crying with her friends when Sammy finally got the girl of his dreams to go out with him. Dex had parlayed his stardom into a successful action career, but Teddy had dropped out of sight. He’d…

“You left acting and went to China,” she said more to herself than to him. “You studied acupuncture.”

He crossed to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “I should have said something before. I’m sorry. I swear I just didn’t think about it. That was all a long time ago.”

Dex grinned. “And yet the residuals live forever.”

Teddy chuckled. “He’s right about that.”

Residuals? From the show. Of course, she thought, still trying to take it all in. That Last Year was still popular, gaining a new audience every three or four years as teenagers discovered it. She’d seen it mentioned as one of the most successful reruns ever. She looked around at the large, sprawling house. Maybe they hadn’t used Valonia’s money to purchase it after all. Maybe it was all Teddy.

Beth knew she had to pull it together. Yes, Dex was a surprise, but he was still Teddy’s best friend, and that was the context she was going to focus on.

“Hi,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Beth. Nice to meet you.”

They shook. Dex winked at her. “You’re taking it really well. I appreciate you not getting weird.”

“You were a surprise,” she told him. “But honestly, compared with meeting the kids, you’re just a blip. A famous blip, but still.”

“A blip?” he asked with a chuckle, then turned to Teddy. “I like this one. You should keep her.”

“That’s the plan.” Teddy put his arm around her. “Ready to go out back?”

To where she would guess the children were playing. No. Not now, not ever. But getting it over with made the most sense.

“I can’t wait,” she lied cheerfully.

They all went out the sliding glass doors.

Beth remembered the backyard from her first visit to the house, but somehow with four kids running around and playing, it seemed much smaller. In the second it took for them to notice the adults had joined them, Beth had a chance to study Teddy’s three. They all had dark hair and brown eyes—a legacy from their mother, she thought. Linnie was very much not like the others with her bright red hair.

“Dex!” Teddy’s youngest shrieked and started toward them. Then she spotted Beth and came to a stop.

Teddy’s other two joined her. The older girl took Orchid’s hand, and they all approached. Linnie grinned at Beth and hurried over.

“You came!” the four-year-old said enthusiastically. “Everyone, this is my friend Beth. She took me to the beach and we made sandcastles and I met Kai who bought me an ice cream!”

Dex leaned close. “How are the rest of us supposed to compete with that?”

Linnie rushed forward. Beth crouched down and hugged her.

“It’s good to see you again,” she said. “Want to introduce me to your family?”

Linnie looked delighted to be handed such an important task. She pointed to Teddy’s three. “That’s Magnolia. She’s the oldest and she can be bossy, but it’s because she knows things. Atlas is the only boy. That’s hard for him, but he’s okay with it. Orchid was the baby until I came along and now I’m the baby.” She sighed heavily. “I want to be oldest, but Mommy says that can’t happen, so I’m stuck. Which were you?”

Beth stood and smiled at Teddy’s kids, hoping Linnie’s enthusiasm bought her a few points.

“I’m the oldest,” she said, glancing at Magnolia. “My brother Rick is the youngest. It was just the two of us, so no middle sibling.”

“You’ll meet Rick in a bit,” Jana said easily. “He had to work some this morning, but he’ll be here soon.”

Magnolia looked between Beth and her father. “Dad says you’re dating.”

“We are,” Teddy said easily, moving close to Beth. “That’s why I wanted you to meet her.”

“And Jana is dating your brother, Rick?”

Beth nodded. “That’s kind of fun, isn’t it? Your mom and I met volunteering at the food bank. Rick met Jana because their offices are in the same building.”

“Mommy said Rick’s a doctor,” Linnie said importantly. Then her smile faded. “I don’t want him to give me a shot.”

Jana laughed. “He’s not that kind of doctor.”

Dex swept up the four-year-old. “I’ll protect you if he tries.” He spun her around, and she squealed. When he set her down, he pointed to the swing set. “Race you.”

Linnie and Dex took off. Atlas and Orchid followed, with Magnolia trailing them. Beth drew in a breath, grateful Teddy’s friend had offered a distraction.

“You doing all right?” Teddy asked, resting his hand on her waist. “I know it’s a lot.”

“I’m okay,” she said, watching the kids jump around Dex. He quickly sorted them into two teams and sent them up the slide.

Jana pulled her phone out of her back pocket and smiled at the screen. “Rick’s here. I’ll go get him.”

She disappeared into the house. Beth watched her go, not sure what was going to happen with her brother. He’d been so angry with her when he’d shown up at her store.

A shriek of laughter distracted her. Orchid was coming down the slide, laughing so hard she nearly rolled off. Linnie begged to be next. Atlas was running around to get on again, while Magnolia was watching Beth and her father.

Was the preteen worried? Apprehensive? Given the circumstances, Magnolia was probably feeling all kinds of emotions.

Jana and Rick stepped outside. Linnie caught sight of her mom and started toward her, only to stop. She looked from her mom to Rick and back, then rushed to Beth’s side and grabbed her hand. The other kids joined Linnie, crowding close. Dex came up behind them.

“This is a crowd,” Rick said, sounding faintly nervous. Then he spotted her and smiled. “I know you.” He moved close and lightly kissed her cheek. “Hey, sis.”

His voice was full of affection, his posture relaxed. He didn’t look anything like the angry man who’d confronted her only a few days before.

“Everyone,” Jana said happily. “This is Rick, Beth’s brother.”

“Are you really a doctor?” Orchid asked.

“I am. I’m a surgeon.”

Linnie and Orchid seemed confused, but Atlas immediately stepped toward him.

“For real? You cut people open and stuff?” He sounded intrigued.

Rick leaned close. “I touch guts every day.”

“Sweet!”

Magnolia made a face. “That’s gross. I’m Magnolia.” She pointed. “He’s Atlas. Orchid is the youngest of us three. Linnie is Jana’s daughter and our cousin.”

Rick immediately looked at Linnie and smiled. “Hi. You’re cute.”

Linnie dimpled. “Thank you. I don’t want you to give me a shot.”

“Then I won’t. I promise.”

Dex strolled up and held out his hand. Jana made the introductions. Beth watched her brother, but either he was better at concealing his surprise than she had been or he had no idea who Dex was. Knowing Rick as she did, she would guess it was the latter.

There were a few minutes of getting everyone drinks. The younger kids and Dex returned to their play while the adults and Teddy’s oldest settled in the shade. Somehow Beth found herself sitting next to Magnolia.

“I have questions,” Magnolia announced. “Is this a good time?”

Dread settled like a rock in Beth’s stomach. She glanced around frantically, hoping for Teddy or Jana to rescue her, but they were busy talking to Rick, leaving her alone with her inquisitor.

“This is a very good time,” she lied. “What would you like to know?”

Magnolia pulled a piece of paper out of her shorts front pocket and scanned it. She looked at Beth. “Have you been married before?”

“Yes. Once. We got a divorce a little over a year ago.”

“Do you have children?”

“No.”

Magnolia looked surprised. “Why not?”

“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I wanted to have kids, but I don’t think the man I married did. We should have talked about it more before getting serious. That was a mistake. But I like children.”

Magnolia’s neutral expression didn’t change. “Do you consider yourself a fair person?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a job?”

Teddy glanced over, as if just realizing what was happening. He hurried in their direction and grabbed the paper from Magnolia.

“What are you doing?”

“Asking questions. Beth said I could. I checked with her first, Dad. I wasn’t rude.”

He pulled a chair close and sat down. “No grilling our guests.”

Magnolia raised her eyebrows. “You’re dating, and we have the right to know what kind of person she is. What if you fall in love? We’re a family, Dad. We have a dynamic, and you’re bringing in someone who could change that. It’s not right to tell us to simply accept that. This is important.”

Beth’s heart ached for the girl. She was so strong and yet so scared at the same time. As the oldest, she would be the one most likely to step into her mother’s role. Teddy had talked about how he had to consciously keep from letting her take over. As an oldest herself, Beth got the need to protect. It was biological.

“I’m okay with the questions,” she said gently. She smiled at Magnolia. “Yes, I do have a job. I own a sandwich shop called Surf Sandwiches.”

Magnolia’s expression relaxed a little. “For real? That’s you?”

“Well, me and about fifteen employees, but yes. The store was originally owned by my aunt and uncle. When Rick and I lost our mom, we went to live with them, and I started working in the store. Eventually I bought them out, and now I own the place.”

Magnolia stared at her. “Your mom died when you were little?”

For the first time since the questioning began, Beth felt she was on solid ground. “I was a couple of years older than you when it happened. She died in an accident, so it was a shock.”

Magnolia’s gaze lowered. “My mom died of an embolism. She was just gone.”

“That makes it so hard, because neither of us got to say goodbye.”

Teddy touched his daughter’s arm. “You okay?”

Magnolia nodded, then looked at Beth. “You understand. A lot of people don’t.” She drew in a breath. “And I’m really glad you have your own source of income.”

Teddy groaned. “Seriously, kid? You went there?”

“It’s stuff you gotta know, Dad. I did some reading online. You have assets, and sometimes people get into relationships because there’s money. I’m looking out for you.”

The moment of bonding seemed to be over, leaving Beth both impressed and a little terrified. Magnolia was way too mature for her age, but what a thoughtful and caring kid.

“I have a successful business, my own 401(k) and savings,” she said. “So no, I’m not here for the money. I just like your dad.”

The preteen relaxed a little. “Okay. That’s good. Thank you for answering my questions. You didn’t have to.”

Beth nodded. “I know this is difficult and strange. Like you said, there’s a family dynamic, and if your dad’s dating me, that could change. I’ve never dated anyone with kids before, so this is new for me, too. Maybe we could kind of help each other out.”

Magnolia studied her for a second before smiling. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Me, too. By the way, I brought cake to try to make you like me.”

Magnolia laughed. “Good call.”