Page 53 of Beach Vibes

She nodded.

“I get that,” he told her. “I have a strong need to protect Jana.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “Although she would tell you that she can take care of herself.”

Beth laughed. “I hear that, too, but once the oldest, always the oldest. It’s a thing.”

They were looking at each other, eyes locked. She felt floaty and happy and couldn’t help wishing he would kiss her. Right there, in front of God and everyone. She wanted a kiss and so much more.

The need, the attraction were unfamiliar. Like being back in high school but without the cute clothes.

“I told you my wife’s been gone nearly five years,” he said.

Her stomach sank. Great. He’d figured out she was interested in him and was trying to let her down gently. The butterflies died, leaving only faint nausea and a need to run away to somewhere small and dark.

“I have three kids and a house that’s mostly in chaos,” he continued, his gaze intense. “I haven’t dated since I lost her. I didn’t want to. It wasn’t about being ready to move on so much as there not being a reason. I didn’t see the point. Until now.”

If she’d been a cartoon character, her eyes would have bugged out as someone in the Foley department made some comical sound in the background.

No, she told herself. He hadn’t said what she thought he’d said. He was him, and she was not what he was looking for.

“Would you have dinner with me?” he asked.

Her mind went blank. It totally emptied, and she could only stare at him.

“Why?” she squeaked, then cleared her throat. “I mean, why?”

He smiled. “I want to get to know you better. You intrigue me.”

That was good, right? Wasn’t it? She’d never intrigued anyone before. “But I was so awkward the other night. I was like a gecko trying to learn to crochet.”

He laughed. “That’s a very specific visual. You weren’t awkward, you were lovely. So, dinner?”

“Yes.” Of course. They could go to Paris if he wanted. Not that she knew where her passport was, but she could find it, and they could go right now. Or dinner would be good, too.

“I’m nervous,” he admitted. “But excited.”

“Me, too.”

“Is Friday too soon?”

If it were up to her, they would start their date now. But saying that might mean giving him second thoughts. “Friday’s perfect.”

He pulled out his phone. “Let me get your number.”

* * *

Jana had never taken dance as a child. Her mom had suggested it a few times, but Jana had been more of an outdoor kid than an indoor one. She would rather be running around and playing than in a dance studio somewhere, learning foundational steps and practicing them over and over.

Now, as she got out of her car and raced toward the house, she thought maybe she could do a grand jeté or two right there on the porch. Of course, if she was wrong, she would pull something or fall on her face, but did that really matter? Sometimes the happiness inside needed to be expressed in dance—even without professional training.

She leaped onto the porch, stumbled a little, then started laughing. She spun once and flung open the front door.

“Where are you?” she shouted into the house. She’d seen Dex’s SUV parked in front and knew he was somewhere inside.

“Family room. What’s up?”

She ran toward his voice, and when she saw him, she flung herself at him.

“I got in! I got in! I start in the fall and they sent me a financial aid package and I got in!”

---