Page 33 of Beach Vibes

The reality of that statement was something she was going to have to deal with later. Thinking about it now was too unsettling, especially considering that if her friend Jana had admitted to that reality, Beth wouldn’t have judged her at all. But as the woman her brother was dating, well, that made everything different.

If only Rick didn’t have a string of really awful relationships in his past, this would be easier, she thought grimly. She would believe what Jana said without wondering. But given the women he generally picked, well, her trust had to be earned.

“You mentioned Teddy’s an acupuncturist,” she began, only to have Rick interrupt.

“No, he’s not. He’s a massage therapist.”

Beth’s senses immediately went on alert as her sisterly need to protect flared. Jana set down her fork.

“Teddy studied acupuncture in China,” she said softly, with only the slightest edge of defensiveness in her tone. “When he came back to LA, he also trained in massage. He has a private practice now that focuses on integrative healing.”

Rick frowned. “Huh. I didn’t get that.”

Beth told herself not to go to the bad place in any of this. She knew Jana—liked her. Jana had goals, was in college, adored her daughter. The woman Rick talked about didn’t seem to have any of that, which had made her wonder if she was only in the relationship for the lifestyle. And Jana wasn’t like that at all.

Her head hurt from all the uncertainty. She was confused and uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure how to get the information she needed to answer all her questions, but one thing she was sure of—Rick wouldn’t be able to navigate a dating relationship with someone who might or might not be who she claimed. It was going to be up to Beth to make sure he didn’t get hurt or used again.

* * *

For Jana, the awkward meal couldn’t end fast enough. Although conversation got a little easier with time, it seemed no matter what she said, it was the wrong thing. Beth was pleasant enough, but Jana couldn’t escape the feeling that she was being judged for things she hadn’t done.

As Rick backed out of his sister’s driveway, she tried to tell herself that it wasn’t his fault the evening had been such a disaster. He’d only been doing what he thought was the right thing. For reasons she genuinely couldn’t understand, he thought she and Beth would find the whole “oh,you’rethe one dating my brother” thing funny. She told herself this was simply one of those situations that didn’t feel very good in the moment but would be all right later. Amusing even. At least that was the hope.

“That was great,” he said as he drove out of Beth’s neighborhood. “I had a good time tonight. Wasn’t it funny how you and my sister had no idea who the other one was?”

“I’m not surefunnyis the right word,” she muttered.

He glanced at her. “What do you mean?” His voice sharpened with concern. “Jana, are you upset?”

“No,” she said automatically, only to add, “Not exactly.”

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. He put on his signal, then turned into a strip mall parking lot. Once he’d driven into a space, he turned off the car and angled toward her.

“I did something wrong, didn’t I?” he asked. “I made you uncomfortable. I thought you’d both think it was a good joke. Was I wrong?”

He was so damned earnest, she thought grimly. So concerned. How could she tell him that yes, she’d felt awful about what he’d done, and that the evening had been a disaster? For all she knew, Beth was so freaked out, she wouldn’t want to be friends anymore.

“I’m not mad,” she said quietly. “More embarrassed.”

His confusion seemed genuine. “Why? You’re so beautiful and sweet. Beth already likes you.”

Or she had, Jana thought. “Maybe it’s a girl thing,” she began. “I’m not sure. It’s just how some things sounded. Like you saying I’m a receptionist when I told Beth I’m in medical billing.”

He frowned. “I thought you were a receptionist. You’re always on the phone when I visit.”

“Rick, I’m in the back office. Wouldn’t a receptionist need to be up front to greet people?”

“Oh, you’re right. I didn’t think of that. But why does it matter?”

She wanted to point out that it would be nice if the guy she was seeing actually understood her very basic job, but knew saying that wouldn’t help. “The inconsistencies could make her worry that I’m lying to either her or you. Or that I’m only dating you because you’re a successful surgeon.” She sighed. “Like I’m looking for a man to take care of me.”

“But you’d never do that. You almost didn’t go out with me.”

“Yes, that’s what happened, but there are other interpretations. Beth could think I was playing hard to get to entice you into wanting to go out with me more.”

The frown returned. “That’s not who you are, Jana. You’re wonderful. Beth knows that.”

Jana hoped he was right, because the voice in her head told her thatwonderfulhadn’t been one of the words on Beth’s mind.

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