Page 78 of Britta & the Beach Boy
“Yeah, my dad’s beach house,” Archie says, as though it’s obvious. “No one’s using it. You can stay there for now until you find a place of your own. You too, Stella. I don’t care. It just has to look like Britta and Dex are living as a married couple.”
“How nice is this beach house?” Stella asks with a slightly calculating expression. “Like run-down chic, beach-adjacent? Or somewhere Rhys would stay?”
“Somewhere Rhyshasstayed. Very comfortably, I’ll add,” Rhys answers, not looking up from his phone.
“Cool. I’m in.” Stella smiles, ignoring Britta’s sharp look.
“Why don’t you stay at your dad’s beach house?” Britta asks. “That makes more sense. Dex and I can stay at the apartment. I’ll take over your portion of the rent.”
Archie shakes his head. “If I wanted to live there, I’d be there already. The house will give Dex a bigger image of success. The more successful he looks; the more companies will want him promoting their brands. And you’ll have a place right on the beach.”
I rest my fingertips on Britta’s knee to nudge her to let it go.
But Britta doesn’t get the message. She shifts in the large captain’s chair, putting more space between us. “Do I get a say? Or am I the silent partner in this arrangement?”
“And so, the fun begins,” Rhys lets out a low laugh, then his eyes drop to his face on Stella’s magazine. “Don’t believe any of that,” he says to her. “I never dated Gigi Paris. It’s not my fault she and Glen broke up. I barely know her.”
Stella shrugs and opens the magazine again. “Like I told you yesterday, I can help you take control of your own story.”
“You’re not a silent partner,” I say to Britta over Rhys and Stella. “You have a say in all of this.”
“I’m just trying to help.” Archie puts up his hands but sounds irritated.
I send Archie a look, warning him to keep his temper in check, then I turn to Britta. “The house is nice. You’d have your own bedroom and bathroom, and I’d still be within walking distance of good waves. But we can figure something else out if you’re uncomfortable or want to pick something out yourself.”
We hit a patch of light turbulence, and the small plane rattles. Not a lot, but enough for Britta to grab the hand I’ve got on my armrest. Her face is white, and her jaw clenched tight. I guess fearing heights also includes airplanes. Which also explains why she was so nervous on the flight here. It wasn’t just about marrying me. I wish she’d have told me.
I flip my hand over and lace my fingers through hers, then put my other hand over both of ours. “I’ve got you,” I whisper. “It’ll pass.”
Almost as soon as the words are out, the turbulence is over. Too soon for me. Even though Britta is gripping my hand as tight as she did on the High Roller, she lets go before I’m ready.
“How close is it toAnnie’s?” She clutches her hands on her lap, still nervous, but not needing me anymore.
“Ten minutes, unless there’s traffic. During the summer, you’ll want to bike the boardwalk to get there.” I try not to stare at her long, slender fingers. “I meant what I said about you having a say. If you don’t want to move to the beach house, we’ll find somewhere else.”
“We’re only five minutes walking distance fromAnnie’snow.”
“Yeah, but Archie’s house isn’t surrounded by bars and restaurants. It’s quieter.”
She nods with her whole body, then asks Archie, “How much is the rent?”
“Nothing. No rent.”
“Your dad is letting us live there for free?” Britta’s eyes tighten at the corners.
Archie presses back into his seat without meeting Britta’s gaze. “He won’t know.”
“He won’t know?” Britta blinks. “Your dad just has so many beach houses lying around that he doesn’t notice if someone moves into one without paying rent?”
Archie narrows his eyes and sucks on his cheek. “He thinks I live there.”
The house doesn’t hold good memories for Archie, but his dad gave it to him, anyway. Archie’s letting us use it, not only as a gift for us but also as a gift for himself. He hates worrying about the upkeep on a house he doesn’t want but can’t sell.
“So, then, circling back…” Britta draws out her sentence, and I have an idea what’s coming next. “Why don’tyoulive there, and Dex and I can stay in your apartment?”
Archie shakes his head before she’s even finished the question. “Because I don’twantto live there.”
She opens her mouth, but I touch her arm to stop her. “It’s a really nice place. Very posh.”
