Page 23 of Beach Vibes
“Because being a stepparent isn’t easy. You’re involved with the child but have no say. Sometimes the other parent can be difficult.”
“You mean her ex?” His expression relaxed. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. She doesn’t know who the father is.”
“What?” Beth’s voice was a yelp. “You’re dating someone who has a child and doesn’t remember who she slept with to get pregnant?”
“She wasn’t trying to get pregnant. She was in Cancun. There were a lot of guys.”
Too many to remember, Beth thought grimly. Why did her brother always pick the absolute worst women? The last woman he’d been involved with had asked to borrow his car, then had driven it drunk and totaled it. Now Rick was dating a slutty single mom. The situation had disaster written all over it.
“You have to be careful,” she told him. “You’re a successful surgeon. For someone in that position, you’re probably the best thing that ever happened to her.”
“She’s not like that, Beth. She’s not.” He patted her hand reassuringly. “She’s sweet. She’s the kind of woman you just want to take care of, you know?” He smiled. “If it gets serious, she would be a great stay-at-home mom. It’s not like she has a career she cares about.”
“She said that?”
“She said it’s just something she does to get by. I get that.”
Which was just like her brother, she thought grimly. This was so much worse than she’d thought. “Remember the girl you dated your freshman year of college? The one who tried to get you to write a couple of papers, then stole your credit card and maxed it out in two days?”
He shifted uncomfortably on his chair. “That was a long time ago.”
“And the girlfriend just before you started your fellowship, the one who claimed she was having your baby and demanded you marry her?”
He sighed. “She wasn’t pregnant.”
“No, she wasn’t. Rick, you’re an amazing guy, but you don’t always see people for who they are. Some women will want to take advantage of you.”
“They’re not all like Mom,” he said defensively. “There are good people, too.”
“Yes, but you don’t seem to find them. Does this new one know what you do?”
“Of course. I don’t keep it a secret.”
“And it never occurred to you she might be in it for a lifestyle change? Being a single mom is hard. One of my friends is in the same position, and she’s constantly scrambling.”
The difference was, Jana had integrity. She was working, putting herself through college and volunteering. Unlike Rick’s money-grubbing bitch.
Rick smiled at her. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but I’m okay. I know what I’m doing.”
She wanted to point out that based on his past, he in fact had no clue what he was doing, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He was her brother, and while she saw him for exactly who he was, she knew his view of himself was slightly more idealized.
“I want to meet her,” Beth said. “If I can get to know her, I’ll feel better about the whole thing.”
Amusement brightened his eyes. “Sis, it was one date. You don’t think we should see if we get to two or three before I introduce her to you?”
“Oh. Good point.”
Maybe things wouldn’t work out, which would be the best solution for him. She wanted Rick to find someone—just not somebody looking for a sugar daddy so she could quit her job and leech off him for the rest of her life. Plus the whole kid thing.
“But if you keep seeing her, I want to meet her.”
“I’ll want that, too.” His expression softened. “You always look out for me.”
“Someone has to.”
“You wait. You’re gonna love her.”
She doubted that, but didn’t say it. Now that she knew what was happening, she would stay on alert, ready to step in if her brother started talking nonsense. And in the meantime…
