Page 123 of Beach Vibes

She paused. “Stupid words, but they’re true.”

She opened the back door of her car and pulled out the to-go bag, along with an extra-large shopping bag with a wrapped box inside.

“These are for you.”

She passed over both. Jana hesitated before taking them.

“I don’t understand,” the other woman admitted.

“One’s dinner because it’s Thursday and, well, I know the kids are with Dex and you’re probably hungry. The other is a graduation present. I know it’s in a few days. Obviously I won’t be there, but I’ll be thinking of you, and I wanted to say congratulations.”

Jana shook her head and held out the shopping bag. “I can’t.”

“Please take it. I want you to have it.” The tears fell faster. “I screwed up, and nothing can change that. But please know that despite my actions, I really was your friend. I wish you and Linnie every happiness. Always.”

With that, she turned and got in her car. In the mirror, she saw Jana stayed where she was, watching until Beth turned out of the parking lot. She carefully drove about two blocks, then pulled into a grocery store parking lot and gave in to the sobs. She wasn’t sure how long she cried, but after what felt like hours, there was finally nothing left inside. She wiped her face on a tissue, then headed for home.

All the loose ends were tied up. She’d apologized, and now it was time for her to move on. The lessons learned would stay with her always. In the end, she would be a better person. A stronger person. And next time, God willing, she would do much, much better.

* * *

“You okay?”

Jana looked up and saw Dex in the hallway. She sat at her built-in desk, Beth’s still-wrapped package in front of her.

“I’m fine.” She tried to smile and failed. “Are you headingout?” Because if he was, she would return to the family room to watch the rest of the movie with the kids.

“Not yet.” He studied her, then nodded at the box. “A graduation present?”

“I guess. It’s from Beth.”

Dex pulled up the spare chair and took a seat. “You saw her today?”

“She came by the food bank.” She ran her finger along the silver ribbon that encircled the blue wrapping paper. “I wasn’t even sure about taking my shift, but then I went.”

“Sure.” Dex grinned. “Because you’d never miss a shift.”

“I wouldn’t unless I had an urgent reason. Being uncomfortable because a friend of mine didn’t tell me her brother was cheating on me…” She sighed. “Or with me, doesn’t count.”

She looked at him. “She wasn’t there. I saw her when I left. She said she’d changed days so she wouldn’t upset me.”

“That was thoughtful.”

“Are you being funny?”

“Nope. Stating the obvious. It was thoughtful of her to change days.”

Jana eyed him suspiciously. “You’re taking her side.”

“I’m Team Jana.”

“Sorry. I’m a little touchy. I’m also confused, faintly nauseous and feeling incredibly stupid because I miss her. Until the whole Rick cheating thing, she was a good friend.” She looked at him. “She was so good with Linnie.”

He watched her without speaking.

Jana drew in a breath. “She said she was sorry, then she explained how it all happened. I mostly listened. Then she gave me dinner because on Thursday she always brings me dinner.” Her voice shook a little. “And she gave me this.”

“How was dinner?”

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