Page 12 of Beach Vibes

“Jana. I think we could get closer. She’s busy, but we get along, and I admire her.”

“An excellent start. Are you also going to look for a man?”

A more complicated question. “Maybe. I haven’t dated in years. I wouldn’t know where to start. It’s not like there’s a store I can go to and window shop.”

“It’s called a dating app, my dear. There are several to choose from.”

Beth tried not to wince. “I’m not the online dating type.”

“You don’t actually know that. Maybe give it a try before saying it’s not for you.”

“I’d rather have a root canal.”

Agatha laughed. “All right. Be that way. But if you won’t go online, then you need to start looking for single men in your regular life. The next time a cute guy walks into the sandwich shop, flirt with him. Even if a relationship doesn’t happen, maybe you can use him for hot, incredible sex. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sizzling affair to clear your mind and give you perspective?”

The outrageous suggestion made Beth laugh. “I wish, but I don’t think I’m the sizzling affair type.”

“I don’t think you know if you are or not. You spent your early twenties helping your brother financially as he got through medical school and residency. Then you dated for a couple of years before finding Ian. To the best of my knowledge, you haven’t ever had a relationship that was totally based on sex. Why not try it now?”

Was Agatha serious? “I wouldn’t know how. Plus, you have to be, I don’t know, exotic or outgoing to do that.”

“Says who? Where are these rules coming from? You’re still young, Beth. Live a little. Take a chance.” Her aunt smiled. “Dance around the fire.”

She knew the urging came from love and concern, but the words were a little too close to what her mother used to tell her, Beth thought uneasily. Agatha’s younger sister had wanted to experience all there was, and the more precarious the situation, the better. She believed in risking it all, and had told her kids to be more like her. She wanted them to run toward danger and go out in a blaze of glory. What she’d failed to notice was that the collateral damage of her lifestyle had frequently been her two children.

“I’m not interested in any kind of flames,” Beth said flatly. “Real or metaphorical.”

“If you say so, my dear, but when it comes to a fiery affair, you’re missing out.” She softened her words with a pat on Beth’s hand. “Trust me on that.”

“Changing the subject,” Beth said, “I’m going to have dinner with Rick tonight. Want to join me?”

“Are you having dinner with him or cooking for him and stocking his refrigerator?”

Beth tried to ignore the instant flash of guilt. Rick was one of the few things she and her aunt disagreed on. Oh, Agathaloved her nephew, but she thought Beth spent too much time taking care of him.

“I’m not stocking his refrigerator,” she said, trying to smile. “I’m taking over chili. That’s all.”

“You do know he’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself, don’t you?”

“He’s busy.”

“So are you.”

“He’s busy saving lives. I own a sandwich shop.”

“Your life is no less valuable.” Agatha stopped herself and held up her hand. “Sorry. I’m starting to push, and I said I wouldn’t. Sometimes I worry Rick takes advantage of you.”

“What? No. We take care of each other.” Agatha couldn’t be more wrong. “I like helping him out. I’m the older sister. It’s a thing. Besides, I worry about him. I wish he could find somebody and fall in love. He needs that in his life.” She sighed. “He’s just had such a string of romantic disasters. Remember that art major in college who nearly convinced him to give her his scholarship money? Or the woman from a couple of years ago who told him she was having his baby when she wasn’t even pregnant?”

Poor Rick. He just couldn’t seem to find anyone nice and normal to date.

“He’s lucky he has you to be there for him,” Agatha said lightly. “Have a wonderful time tonight and say hi from me.”

“I will.”

4

Kai carried the full Crock-Pot from the sandwich shopkitchen to Beth’s small SUV. She opened the passenger door, and he placed the pot on the floor.

---