Page 15 of Beach Vibes

He’d reached for her, shoving her up against the wall as he pressed his hands between her legs. She’d struggled to get away, screaming for him to stop. Rick had come running.

Her small, bookish brother had gone after the guy, trying to pull him away from Beth. The boyfriend had turned on Rick, which had been terrifying enough, but then he’d pulled out a knife and had cut him on the face. Blood had spurted everywhere. Beth’s and her brother’s screams had caused the neighbors to start pounding on their apartment door. The boyfriend had fled. Someone had taken them to the ER, where Rick had been stitched up and she’d been questioned by a very kind social worker.

“You’re the best brother ever,” she said quietly.

“You’re the best sister.”

They’d always been there for each other, she thought. Theirs was a bond that could never be broken.

* * *

Jana refused to let herself change more than twice before her date with Rick, but she really didn’t know what to wear. She took a quick selfie and texted it to Beth.

Does this look like I’m trying too hard?

* * *

Beth answered immediately.What does that mean? Are we not supposed to try? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves? I doubt he’s sweating what he’s wearing. I know it’s a girl thing and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it. Oh, and no, BTW. You look amazing. That’s the one.

Rant much?Jana sent a smiling emoji so Beth would know she was kidding.

You’re right. That was a tear, huh? Wear the dress. You look fab.

Thanks. What are you up to tonight?

* * *

Three dots appeared followed by a picture of a white crocheted bikini top with a happy face on each triangle.

Jana frowned.That’s very random.

My aunt makes custom crocheted bikinis, which are apparently a thing. I didn’t know. She has a date, so I said I’d wait for her customer.

* * *

She inserted the sigh emoji.

I absolutely have to get a life.

What’s on the bottom?

Not much.

* * *

Another picture came through—this one of an unlined crocheted thong bikini bottom.

Jana winced.Not for me.

Me, either. LMK how it goes tonight.

Promise.

* * *

Jana dropped her phone on the bed and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing this dress and that was the end of it. She would accept being nervous, but there was no way she was going to slip into obsessing about her wardrobe. After all, they were going out for the first time. Odds were nothing would come of it.

Thirty minutes before they were to meet, she kissed Linnie goodbye, told her brother she wouldn’t be late and left. Rick had offered to pick her up, but she’d wanted to drive to the restaurant herself. Having him at the house would require more explanations than she was willing to make, what with the whole “it’s only a first date” thing. She didn’t want a lot of speculation or conversation until she knew a little bit more than he was a sweet man who thought she glowed.

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