Page 98 of Beach Vibes

“I hope you like the hotel and the plans I made. If you want to change anything, we can. I just want you to have a good time.”

He sounded so sincere, and he’d gone to a lot of trouble to get it all right, she thought. “I’m sure everything will be perfect.”

He laughed. “Nobody’s perfect, Jana. You come close, but the rest of us just struggle to get by.”

“I’m as flawed as everyone else.”

“I don’t believe that, but if it’s true, you hide it well.”

* * *

The first time Beth had seen the media room at Teddy’s house, she’d thought it was plenty big. The sectional was huge, with lots of cushions and areas to stretch out. Saturday night, caught in a pile of kids that had Orchid on one side of her and Linnie on the other, she had to admit there was a whole lot less room than she would have thought. It didn’t help that Teddy and Dex were both big guys who liked to sprawl.

But she wasn’t really complaining, she thought as Linnie snuggled closer. Hanging out with the kids was really fun. She appreciated how they’d accepted her as Teddy’s girlfriend. Even Magnolia had stopped asking questions and was now comfortable simply treating her like an adult friend.

Every now and then she glanced over at Teddy, unable to believe such an amazing man was in her life. Every time she saw him, she was drawn in just a little more, as if her heart was expanding to contain all her feelings. It was way too soon for her to be thinking theLword, but she knew she was well on her way to falling hard. He was everything she’d ever wanted and more.

And she’d come so close to losing him.

Her chest tightened at the thought, and she forced herself away from the disaster that was her brother’s cheating. Guilt still plagued her, making her want to squirm in her seat. Instead she focused on the adventures of Riley and her band of emotions inInside Out 2. Humorously, she could totally relate to the upset ofthe established emotions when new ones appeared. She would never have guessed that she could feel disgust for her brother. He’d been such a fool.

She glanced at Teddy, who caught her eye and smiled at her. Heat instantly flared. She pushed it away and returned her attention to the movie.

Given the choice between her friend and the man she was falling for and her brother, she’d never actually had a choice to make. She just hoped he never put her in that position again. If he’d learned his lesson, they could move on, and all would be well.

Beth’s phone buzzed. Magnolia immediately paused the movie while everyone looked at Beth expectantly. Jana had been texting regularly, sending pictures of her day. Her new text showed a picture of a huge slice of chocolate cake with shavings on the side and what looked like scrollwork done in some yummy frosting.

“I’m jealous for sure,” Beth said, passing her phone around. “That looks delicious.”

“I want one,” Linnie said, a faint whine in her voice.

Dex touched her nose. “We have brownies and ice cream. I think that’s better than cake.”

“It is,” Magnolia said, handing the phone to her dad. “Sometimes chocolate cake can be dry.”

“Good point.” Teddy passed the phone back. “You should tell her we’re worried the cake won’t be good.”

“I will.”

Beth texted their concern, adding she hoped they were having a good time. Jana sent back heart emojis.

“Speaking of brownies,” Teddy said. “How about we have dessert now before it gets too late?”

There were loud shrieks of agreement as the kids raced from the media room to the kitchen. Beth and Dex followed more slowly.

“How are you holding up?” he asked. “It’s been an intense day and a half.”

She’d arrived about three the previous afternoon and had stayed until the kids were in bed, then had returned early that morning.

“There is an element of being thrown in the deep end,” she admitted. “But I’m having fun.”

“You’re good with them. You don’t try too hard. You’re just yourself.”

She flushed at the unexpected compliment. “Thank you. I like all four of them. Their personalities are so distinct, which is fun. You’re a wonderful uncle. Teddy and Jana would be lost without you.”

“They’re family. Where else would I be?”

“You and Jana were never an item?”

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