Page 95 of Beach Vibes

She silently winced as she lied, knowing one reason she couldn’t see Teddy was the fact that she didn’t have her period. Being around him was a huge temptation, and if she gave in, he would quickly figure out she’d lied.

Yet another reason she preferred to live her life in a straightforward manner. It was so much easier.

“I’ll do whatever you want,” he said. “But I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. So much.” She needed to see him and hold him. Being around him would make her world right itself.

“Sunday for sure,” he told herself. “I’ll be tired, but I need to see you.”

“I need to see you, too.”

“Good. Then next weekend, we’re all hanging out while Jana takes off with Rick.”

Beth clutched her phone. He was right—next weekend was the big getaway. Her stomach churned as she thought of all the things that could go wrong. What if Rick blurted out the truth? What if Jana guessed? What if…

She cleared her throat. “I’m a little nervous about all the kid time, but you’ve promised to help me through it.” Because she was going to spend much of the weekend with Teddy and the four kids. Not the night—neither of them was ready for that. But Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday. Teddy had promised Dex would be with them for much of it, so she was pretty sure she would be all right. If nothing else, it would be an interesting test for their relationship.

“I will,” he said. “And now I’m going to let you get some sleep. Talk soon?”

“Yes. Night, Teddy.”

They hung up. She put the phone on her nightstand. It was still relatively early in the evening. She should do something with her time. Maybe laundry, or she could clean her bathroom. Anything to take her mind off the lies she’d told the man she was falling for.

Only none of those options sounded right, and before she could realize what was happening, tears filled her eyes. They seemed to come from nowhere, and suddenly she was crying and she couldn’t seem to stop. She covered her face with her hands and gave in to all the undefined emotions swirling inside of her. She was lost and anxious and angry and so afraid, and the worst part was, none of it was her fault. At least, it hadn’t been until she’d decided to keep Rick’s secret.

“Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together,” Agatha said, walking into her room and sitting next to her on the bed. She put her arm around Beth and hung on. “Just let go. Crying can be cathartic. We’ll deal with the swollen eyes and running nose later.”

The unexpected comment made her laugh, which turned into a hiccup. Her aunt pressed tissues into her hand.

“Wipe your face. Then let’s go to the living room and talk.” She paused. “I know you didn’t go to the food bank today. Are you sick? Should I make chicken soup? Or do you want herbal tea to settle your stomach?”

Beth looked at the woman who had welcomed her into her home with all the love in her heart. “Maybe something stronger.”

“I have that, too.”

When they were seated across from each other, a small brandy beside each of them and a tissue box carefully within reach of Beth’s chair, Agatha leaned toward her.

“Just blurt it out. Whatever you have to say is fine. I know agood lawyer, and a friend of your uncle’s used to be a detective. The airport is less than thirty minutes away. We can have you on a flight to Mexico by midnight.”

“I appreciate the attempt at humor,” Beth told her. “I’m fine.”

“I wasn’t being funny. Surprisingly, Alaska Airlines has the best flight to Cabo. You wouldn’t guess it from their name.”

Beth knew her aunt was trying to ease the tension and make her feel comfortable talking about whatever the problem was. That was Agatha’s way.

“It’s not me,” she said. “I’m not sick or anything. It’s Rick. He’s been cheating on Jana.”

Agatha’s wide-eyed stare was more than a little gratifying. “Your brother is cheating on his new girlfriend?”

“I couldn’t believe it, either.” Beth explained about how she’d seen them and how Galaxy had known who she was and had been excited to meet her.

“I was horrified and stunned,” Beth admitted. “Not just because that isn’t who he is but because of how it affects my relationship with Jana. She’s my friend. I need her in my life.”

Agatha went white. “You’re right. She matters to you. Oh, dear. What about Teddy?”

“I know. I’m terrified either of them will find out.” Beth clutched her brandy. “Everything is so messed up.”

“And entwined, and now Rick has blown up the whole thing.”

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