Page 84 of Beach Vibes

“Maybe. I find being near the morning ocean restful. Plus watching all of you out there being so athletic is inspiring.” She looked at him. “Not that I have any plans to exercise.”

“Surfing isn’t exercise,” he told her. “It’s a spiritual experience.”

“And a great way to get women.”

He flashed her a grin. “I don’t usually have trouble with that, but yes. Surfing is sexy.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Beth told herself to stop thinking about Teddy and to let her mind empty. She was mentally and physically exhausted, and she had to find a way to relax. Maybe she should download a meditation app or something.

“You either had sex, or one of you said I love you,” Kai said unexpectedly.

Beth blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“Something’s wrong. That’s why you’re here. But it’s not a crisis, because if there’d been an accident, you’d be dealing with that. Not sitting here thinking. You’re in a new relationship, so I figured it’s that. You’re not crying, so it’s not over. That leaves sex or love.”

She sighed. “Couldn’t you just for once act your age and be self-absorbed and clueless? You must have the oldest soul ever.”

“Uh-huh. You’re not answering the question, B, which means it’s sex, because you’d be comfortable talking about love.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. How could someone so young be so insightful? “Fine, it was sex. Amazing sex.”

“You’re not saying it was too good, are you? Because that’s not possible.”

She managed a faint laugh. “That’s not exactly what I’m saying. It was different. Better than, you know, with Ian.”

“Not a surprise, but why is it a problem?”

“He’s a widower. He was very much in love with his wife, and she died unexpectedly. She wasn’t sick or anything. That was nearly five years ago. Now it’s just him and his three kids. There hasn’t been anyone else. I’m the first woman he’s dated since her death.”

“Are you feeling the pressure of that?”

“Yes!” She practically shouted the word, then drew in a breath and murmured, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s a thing, and you’re going to have to deal.”

“It’s less the dealing than the why. Why did he pick me? Why do we have this amazing chemistry? How much does he still think about her? Is it just him and me, or are there three of us in the relationship? And if sex with her was anything like what we just experienced, then how on earth can he ever let go of what he had long enough to want something else?”

The “something,” of course, was really “someone,” namely her, but why state the obvious?

She paused to breathe. In that second when she inhaled, she had the thought she could either start laughing hysterically or burst into tears. As she wasn’t comfortable with either, she settled for more breathing.

“That’s a lot,” Kai said quietly. “Plus the kids.”

She nodded. “You’re right. His kids. I liked them.”

“You’re also scared of them.”

“I’m not afraid exactly.”

“You’re dealing with a lot. Do you want kids of your own?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes.”

“Would his be enough?”

Would they? she wondered, turning the question over in her mind. “Maybe,” she said slowly. “I’m nearly forty. If I was desperate to have a baby, I would have done it by now.”

“Do you think Teddy’s caught up in the past?” he asked.

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