Page 75 of Beach Vibes

“Because he’s her brother?”

“It’s a complication I don’t need.”

He’d moved from annoying to taking an apartment in stubborn town, she thought grimly. “You’re not making any sense.”

He glared at her. “If it doesn’t work out with Jana, you’ll still be seeing her brother. That will be impossible for me.”

She wasn’t sure when he’d become a stranger, but honest to God, she didn’t know the man standing in front of her. Worse, she didn’t like him at all. Anger gave her strength and courage. She didn’t usually stand up to her brother, but maybe it was time for that to change.

“No,” she said loudly. “You don’t get a say in my personal life. Who I date doesn’t affect you, and while I used to care about your opinion, right now I don’t. I’ll see Teddy for as long as we both want that. You can keep dating Jana or not. That’s on you. I have no idea what’s going on with you, but it’s something.”

She squared her shoulders. “This is where I work, Rick. Next time you want to act like a jerk, don’t do it during business hours.” She pointed at the door. “Unless you want to apologize for whatever this was, it’s time for you to leave.”

He glared at her with a coldness that chilled her to her bones. “Whatever,” he muttered before stalking out of the break room.

She stayed where she was for a few seconds so she could catch her breath and urge her heart to slow down. Tension tightened every muscle, and her breathing was rapid. She felt like she’d been in a car accident or some other kind of trauma. She had no idea what Rick had been thinking to attack her like that.

Still confused, she hurried back to the front of the store. There were customers to serve. She washed her hands and got behind the counter, where she smiled brightly and began adding condiments onto sandwiches.

A half hour later, the crowd cleared. Kai cornered her by the drinks and asked in a low voice, “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Her bright tone was faked, but she didn’t want him to know what had happened. “Rick just, ah, had a question.”

Kai stared at her. “It was a whole lot more than that.”

She flushed. “You heard?”

“Bits and pieces.”

Note to self, she thought grimly. There were to be no personal conversations in the break room unless the store was empty.

She looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then quietly said, “I don’t get it. He’s mad because I’m dating Teddy.”

Kai shook his head. “He’s mad because you’re dating Jana’s brother. There’s a difference.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, but that’s what he kept saying. Jana’s brother. He never called him Teddy.”

She hadn’t noticed. “I’m not sure that matters, but he was so strange.”

He held up both hands. “I have no idea what’s going on with him, B. I just know he’s worried about something.”

* * *

Beth arrived at Teddy’s house for the infamous barbecue with no clearer understanding about Rick’s problem. He hadn’t reached out to her, and she couldn’t bring herself to text him. She was annoyed, hurt and more than a little confused. She couldn’t remember him ever talking to her like that before, and she hadn’t liked it.

Despite her apprehension, she’d agreed to the Saturday late-afternoon date Teddy had suggested. She would arrive at four, the barbecue would be at five thirty, and she would be home by eight. She would host him for dinner on Sunday night when it would just be the two of them. Something he’d brought up at least sixteen times. His eagerness to be alone with her was gratifying as she found herself needing Teddy time for sure.

She parked in the driveway as she had the first time she’d been to the house. Back then she’d been just as nervous, but for different reasons. As before, Rick hadn’t arrived yet, and she was grateful. She would rather get in and be settled before he showed up. She had no idea if he was going to say anything mean or rude. It wasn’t like him, but since his unexpected visit to the store, she wasn’t sure about anything when it came to her brother.

Teddy pulled open the front door before she could knock. He took the large bakery box from her, set it on the table by the door, then drew her into his arms and kissed her with a thoroughness that stole her breath away.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured against her mouth. “It’s been too long.”

She laughed. “Three days?”

“Nearly a lifetime.”

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