Page 77 of Beach Vibes

Teddy shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah. Sorry. I probably should have said something. If people recognize me, I’ll talk about it, but that’s not part of my everyday life, and when you didn’t mention it, I kind of forgot.”

He’d forgotten that he’d been part of one of the most popular television shows in the country? She still remembered watching the last episode and crying with her friends when Sammy finally got the girl of his dreams to go out with him. Dex had parlayed his stardom into a successful action career, but Teddy had dropped out of sight. He’d…

“You left acting and went to China,” she said more to herself than to him. “You studied acupuncture.”

He crossed to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “I should have said something before. I’m sorry. I swear I just didn’t think about it. That was all a long time ago.”

Dex grinned. “And yet the residuals live forever.”

Teddy chuckled. “He’s right about that.”

Residuals? From the show. Of course, she thought, still trying to take it all in.That Last Yearwas still popular, gaining a new audience every three or four years as teenagers discovered it. She’d seen it mentioned as one of the most successful reruns ever. She looked around at the large, sprawling house. Maybe they hadn’t used Valonia’s money to purchase it after all. Maybe it was all Teddy.

Beth knew she had to pull it together. Yes, Dex was a surprise, but he was still Teddy’s best friend, and that was the context she was going to focus on.

“Hi,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Beth. Nice to meet you.”

They shook. Dex winked at her. “You’re taking it really well. I appreciate you not getting weird.”

“You were a surprise,” she told him. “But honestly, compared with meeting the kids, you’re just a blip. A famous blip, but still.”

“A blip?” he asked with a chuckle, then turned to Teddy. “I like this one. You should keep her.”

“That’s the plan.” Teddy put his arm around her. “Ready to go out back?”

To where she would guess the children were playing. No. Not now, not ever. But getting it over with made the most sense.

“I can’t wait,” she lied cheerfully.

They all went out the sliding glass doors.

Beth remembered the backyard from her first visit to the house, but somehow with four kids running around and playing, it seemed much smaller. In the second it took for them to notice the adults had joined them, Beth had a chance to study Teddy’s three. They all had dark hair and brown eyes—a legacyfrom their mother, she thought. Linnie was very much not like the others with her bright red hair.

“Dex!” Teddy’s youngest shrieked and started toward them. Then she spotted Beth and came to a stop.

Teddy’s other two joined her. The older girl took Orchid’s hand, and they all approached. Linnie grinned at Beth and hurried over.

“You came!” the four-year-old said enthusiastically. “Everyone, this is my friend Beth. She took me to the beach and we made sandcastles and I met Kai who bought me an ice cream!”

Dex leaned close. “How are the rest of us supposed to compete with that?”

Linnie rushed forward. Beth crouched down and hugged her.

“It’s good to see you again,” she said. “Want to introduce me to your family?”

Linnie looked delighted to be handed such an important task. She pointed to Teddy’s three. “That’s Magnolia. She’s the oldest and she can be bossy, but it’s because she knows things. Atlas is the only boy. That’s hard for him, but he’s okay with it. Orchid was the baby until I came along and now I’m the baby.” She sighed heavily. “I want to be oldest, but Mommy says that can’t happen, so I’m stuck. Which were you?”

Beth stood and smiled at Teddy’s kids, hoping Linnie’s enthusiasm bought her a few points.

“I’m the oldest,” she said, glancing at Magnolia. “My brother Rick is the youngest. It was just the two of us, so no middle sibling.”

“You’ll meet Rick in a bit,” Jana said easily. “He had to work some this morning, but he’ll be here soon.”

Magnolia looked between Beth and her father. “Dad says you’re dating.”

“We are,” Teddy said easily, moving close to Beth. “That’s why I wanted you to meet her.”

“And Jana is dating your brother, Rick?”

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