Page 68 of Beach Vibes

“Beth, I’m sorry,” he began, his voice thick with tension and regret. “I can’t make it tonight.”

Disappointment flooded her. “Oh. Okay.”

“Orchid fell off her bike. We’re just back from urgent care. She’s banged up, but nothing’s broken. She needed a couple of stitches on her chin and has a few scrapes and bruises. She’s going to be fine, but I’m not comfortable leaving her tonight.”

“Of course you’re not,” she said automatically. Orchid was just a little girl. She was in pain and needed her dad. Beth could be mature about the situation and ignore the crushing disappointment of missing time with Teddy. “I understand. It’s totally fine. We’ll reschedule.”

“I want to see you,” he said. “Would you be open to comingby later so we could hang out for a couple of hours? I know it’s not exactly a fun date, but—”

“You’re talking about me showing up after the kids are in bed,” she clarified.

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there.” She didn’t need a fancy evening or dinner out. Just seeing him for a little while would be enough to get her Teddy fix.

“Good.” Relief filled his voice. “My days don’t seem right if I don’t see you.”

She mentally hugged those heart-stealing words. “Mine, either.”

“Nine okay?”

“It’s perfect.” She paused to steel herself to say the understanding thing. “And if the kids won’t settle, just text me and I won’t come over.”

“Thanks, but I really need to see you. I’ll get them settled. Jana’s at a study group, so she won’t be around, in case you were wondering. See you in a few hours.”

“You will.”

They hung up. Beth went into the house, where she found Agatha in the kitchen.

“I’ll be out of your way in no time,” her aunt said cheerfully. “Unless you want my help with the cooking before I duck out.”

“No ducking required.” She explained about Orchid’s accident.

“That sounds painful,” Agatha said. “I’m glad she’s all right.” She raised her eyebrows. “Disappointed he’s not coming over?”

“Yes, but I appreciate he has responsibilities.”

“Orchid is an unusual name. Pretty, though, and there won’t be three in her class.” She wrinkled her nose. “There were no Agathas in my class, which I would have liked, because I always thought mine was an old lady name.” She smiled. “I was named after my maternal grandmother. By the timeyourmother wasborn, our parents seemed to have forgotten about our paternal grandmother, and she got to be called Caryn with aC. Back then it was very exotic.”

“Just like Mom,” Beth said lightly, thinking she didn’t want to start a mental spiral about her mother. “Teddy’s other kids are Magnolia and Atlas. His late wife was Valonia, so unique names might have been a thing with her.” She glanced at the wall clock.

“Counting the minutes until you can go over?” Agatha asked, her voice teasing.

Beth nodded. “I can’t help it. I want to see him.” She laughed. “It’s like he’s in my head and I can’t get him out. Not that I want to.”

“You’re obsessed,” her aunt teased. “It’s nice to see. Passion matters. It makes us feel alive and rearranges our priorities. I always knew you had it in you.”

“I didn’t. I’ve never felt like this. It’s all happening so fast.” She thought about the time she spent with Teddy. “It’s like we connect on a deeper level. I know what he means when he talks. I’m starting to understand how he thinks. We’re sharing who we are in a deliberate way that should terrify me, but doesn’t. I want him to know everything, and I want to know the same about him.”

She drew in a breath. “I’m both scared and excited, and I don’t know why it has to take so long to be nine o’clock.”

Her aunt laughed, then hugged her. “Passion,” she repeated. “I’m so happy for you. This is what it’s like to be alive. Savor every moment.”

“I’d rather time went more quickly.”

“It’s already speeding by. All right. I’m off. Enjoy your clandestine meeting with your young man. I won’t wait up.”

“Nothing’s going to happen. Not with his kids in the house.” Plus she and Teddy were waiting—a decision that frustrated her body but gave her mental clarity. He’d been right by saying sex would complicate things. Oh, she wanted him with a desperationthat was nearly crippling, but this was better. She liked that they were thoughtful and deliberate. It meant they mattered.

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