Page 67 of Beach Vibes

“Did Beth say something about Rick?” she asked.

“Not in the way you mean.” He drew in a breath as if considering his words. “We were talking about her store and what it takes to run it. I assumed she’d gone to college and had a business degree, but she said she doesn’t. She never went to college because Rick told her she wasn’t smart enough and wouldn’t make it through.”

Jana stared at him. “I don’t believe that. He wouldn’t do that. He’s a really good guy.”

“I know you’d only go out with someone who was respectful. That’s why I asked. It didn’t make sense.”

She had to agree with him on that. No way Rick would say that. “We haven’t actually talked about Beth that much, but he’s never said anything bad, and when it was the three of us at dinner, he was great.” He’d left most of the talking to the two of them, but that wasn’t unusual. Men often preferred to listen rather than guide the conversation.

“Maybe she misunderstood him,” Jana said slowly. “Like she was afraid and he was trying to be helpful.”

She heard the question in her voice and knew her brother did, too.

“She actually said Rick told her she wasn’t smart enough for college? Those words?”

“That’s what she said. I don’t get it,” he added. “She’s successful. Her employees really like her. When I went there yesterday, they were totally checking me out. After I walked her back to the store, this guy Kai—he’s maybe twenty-two or twenty-three—pulled me aside and flat-out asked me my intentions.” He smiled at the memory. “You’ve got to be the right kind of person to inspire loyalty like that.”

“I agree. Kai’s a sweetie and Beth’s great. She’s always feeding me after our shift at the food bank.” Jana remembered a conversation from a few weeks ago. “She said she wasn’t college material.”

Teddy stared at her. “Beth?”

She nodded. “We were talking about her being single and my schedule. I can’t remember exactly, but she made a point of saying she wasn’t college material. I told her she was wrong.”

Teddy frowned. “You know I don’t care about her education. I’m more concerned about what Rick said.”

Because he was already getting protective, Jana thought, wondering how he could simply know so quickly. Which wasn’t the point, she told herself. The more compelling issue was whether or not Rick had dissed his sister.

“He wouldn’t put her down like that,” she said firmly. “He’s a kindhearted, easygoing guy. My schedule is a challenge, and he never complains.” Of course, he was also busy with work. One of the surgeons in his practice was on vacation, so more of the load now fell on him. They weren’t going to be able to see each other for over a week.

“Then I can’t explain it.” Teddy shook his head. “It was just strange.”

“I agree, but we’ll probably never know exactly what happened. Can you let it go, or is this going to fester?”

He smiled. “No festering. I promise. You have homework.”

“About an hour’s worth.”

“I’ll leave you to it.”

He walked out of the kitchen. She paused to drop her tea bag into the trash, then turned out the light and headed for her wing of the house. As she settled at her desk, she remembered Rick’s surprise when she’d told him she’d gotten into nursing school. As if he hadn’t been listening all the times she’d talked about her classes and how she was hoping to get in and get financial aid. He’d thought she was a receptionist and claimed to have no idea she was in medical billing. None of which mattered. He was a busy man with a lot on his mind. It wasn’t personal.

She thought about how cold he’d been when she’d shown up at his office without warning. Maybe his conversation with Beth about college had been like that. He’d been thinking of other things rather than paying attention, and he’d blurted out a thoughtless remark.

Even if that was how things had gone, that didn’t make him a bad person. Okay, so he could be a little self-absorbed at times. Everyone had flaws, and in his heart, Rick was a sweetie. There was nothing to worry about.

14

Three weeks into her new dating life, Beth still got fluttery every time her phone rang. Or at least anticipated getting fluttery, because the world was neatly divided into Teddy and not-Teddy. Not-Teddy calls were important but far less thrill-worthy. But when Teddy called, everything was more sparkly and wonderful.

She’d stopped telling herself to get over it, that he was just a guy, blah, blah, blah—mostly because she couldn’t seem to believe herself. There was something about him that made her happy. She spent her day thinking about him, counting the minutes until she could see him, or remembering when they’d last been together.

True to his word, he hadn’t tried to push her into bed, and thus far, their kissing had been on the chaste side. Although shewanted to take things to the next level, a part of her appreciated the slow build. They were getting to know each other—making sure they had their emotional relationship solid before taking the next step. The only downside was how she spent every waking moment in a state of low-key arousal. She was starting to think she should have gotten a more powerful shower massager.

She left the sandwich shop right on time to go get ready for their date. He was coming over and she was cooking. Although she’d invited Agatha to join them, her aunt had said she would make other plans so the two of them could have a nice evening alone. Sweet, but unnecessary, Beth thought as she drove home. At some point she did want Teddy and Agatha to hang out so they could get to know each other. She was also toying with the idea of a double date with Rick and Jana. She smiled as she pulled into the driveway. Funny how suddenly there were so many possibilities.

She had just shut off her engine when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and enjoyed a rush of giddiness when she saw Teddy’s name.

“Hi,” she said, wondering if she sounded breathless. “I was just thinking about you.”

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