Page 20 of Beach Vibes

“How do you do it?” Jana asked as she picked up the second half. “I thought the sandwich last week was the best one ever, and this one is just as good.” She set down the sandwich and lifted the top slice of bread. “And what is that flavoring? It’s spicy but sweet at the same time.”

Beth chuckled. “I know I make a good sandwich, but I can’t help thinking you’d find them less amazing if you didn’t go without lunch every Thursday.”

“If you’re saying I like them more because I’m starving, you’re wrong. So, what is this one?”

“A fried chicken BLT with jalapeño honey.”

“It’s heaven,” Jana said.

Beth waved at the food. “Then finish it up. I know you’re still hungry.”

Jana dug into the second half while Beth sipped her flavored water and breathed in the scent of the ocean only a couple of miles away. It was warm again—with a light breeze. The sky was that perfect shade of blue that looked so idyllic in pictures. Whatever might be wrong in her life, she could always distract herself by remembering how fortunate she was to live whereshe did. Just that morning on the news, the weatherperson had mentioned an early spring snowstorm in Minnesota.

Jana swallowed the last bite of her sandwich and sighed. “That was wonderful. I wonder if I could make something like that at home. The grocery store deli has pretty decent fried chicken. Do you make the jalapeño honey yourself or do you buy it?”

“We buy it, and yes, you could make the sandwiches yourself. They’re pretty easy. You’d probably want to test out the jalapeño honey first, though, and see if Linnie likes it. Kids don’t always like spicy things.”

“You’re right, although she’s pretty adventurous when it comes to food. I think it’s because her cousins are older and are into trying things.”

Beth ignored the minor twinge she felt as Jana talked about her daughter. She’d always assumed she was going to have kids, but now she was less sure. Unlike her friend, she didn’t know if she had what it took to be a single mom. As for having a child with a partner, well, even though she was intrigued by the “I’m going to start dating and fall in love” concept, she wasn’t sure where to begin looking for a guy.

“Why did you decide to start dating?” she asked before she could stop herself. She shook her head. “That came out more abrupt than I’d intended. It’s just I know you’re busy, and you said you had a bad experience before. What made you decide it was okay to put yourself out there right now?” She laughed. “Asking for a friend, of course.”

Jana laughed, too. “Interesting. Just last week you were a firm no on dating. We’re making progress. Good for you.”

“I’ve moved to the maybe column. So why now?”

“I didn’t decide,” Jana admitted. “I was actively opposed to getting involved, but then he said I glowed, and I couldn’t say no.”

“Oh, right. The glow thing.” A second twinge of envy poked her hard. “I have to say, when it comes to unexpected compliments, that one’s a winner. So, how was the date?”

Jana’s mouth curved up into a happy smile. “Good. Really good. He was great. Nice, attentive, funny. I’m hopeful.” She wrinkled her nose. “Hopeful and cautious.”

“I get you have a lot at stake what with Linnie and all.”

“Not to mention my ex. He was an extreme version of the bad boyfriend.” She sighed. “Did you ever try to do everything right and still screw up?”

Beth lifted her can of flavored water toward her friend. “Oh, yes. I know that one for sure. You’re in a good place, and a guy could mess that up. I totally get that.” She paused. “And yet we as a species seem unable to resist hope.”

“Yes.” Jana nodded vigorously. “I tell myself not to, but then I’m tempted. Am I making the right decision? Is he a good guy? It’s a lot to navigate.”

“And we’re doing it without GPS,” Beth said with a laugh. “What’s up with that?”

Jana grinned. “I know, right? But I had a good time, and I’m going to be careful. While the timing isn’t ideal, he’s not the kind of guy who’s going to be single forever. In fact, I’m kind of surprised he’s single now.”

“You’re doing all the things,” Beth told her. “Trust yourself. You’re not talking about running off after one date, so yay you.”

“I’m not a love-at-first-sight person.”

“Me, either.” Beth couldn’t imagine such a thing.

Jana opened her bag of chips. “My brother is, though. He believes in a lightning strike. That when you meet someone, you just know.”

“But it takes time to learn who a person really is.” To just know after a brief meeting? How was that possible?

“That’s what I say, but he disagrees. When he met his wife, he knew within minutes that she was the one, and they were happy together until the day she died.” Jana’s tone turned doubtful. “I guess that requires more faith than I have.”

“For me, too.” Love at first sight had always sounded recklessand too risky. Oh, sure, it played well in the movies, but otherwise? No. Just no.

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