Page 73 of Here We Go Again

Becca

It feels like magic. Somehow it covers me in all the right places so I’m not just all out there, but it also makes me feel sexy.

Mia

Because it’s sheer, but not COMPLETELY sheer. Send me a picture. I bet you look fab.

Becca

K. Hang on.

Mia

WOMAN. You look smoking hot. Now hit the beach and find yourself a man.

Oh. Oh. Mia still doesn’t know that Theo’s here.

I stand and peek out my bedroom door, double-checking I’m still alone upstairs. The coast is clear, so I step back into my room, close the door, and sit down to call Mia.

We talk for at least thirty minutes, our conversation more therapeutic than I expect it to be.

“Girl,” Mia says when I finally finish filling her in. “I can’t decide if I’m more surprised your mom did this in the first place or that you agreed to stay. What have you done with the old Becca?”

“I think I left her in Atlanta with my swimsuit coverup.”

Mia cackles. “As you should have. So what are you going to do?”

“I have no idea,” I say. “Just try to get through the week? Keep reminding myself I’m not seventeen anymore?”

“What’s the vibe from him? Does he seem interested?”

“Umm,” I say, letting out a little laugh. “He’s very flirty.” I’m not sure why, but I don’t tell her what I heard from my mom about his potential interest. I’m not sure I want to say it out loud yet. Or admit how it made me feel.

“Yeah, he is,” Mia says. “For real, Becca. No matter what happens or how any of this turns out, I do think it’ll be good for you.”

I’m quiet for a beat before I ask, “Do you remember when you told me you looked up Theo’s dating history? And you thought all the playboy stuff was just rumors?”

“Yeah, I remember,” she says.

“What made you think that?”

“It was mostly just the vibe I got,” she says. “Like, he’s clearly been photographed with a lot of women. But legit, none of them have ever said anything bad about him. If he were truly a player, I feel like there would at least be some Reddit threads dogging on him. But there’s basically no dirt. Have you seriously not searched him yourself? All that time I saw you on Instagram, and you never looked for old girlfriends?”

“I didn’t on purpose,” I say. “I don’t know that I could without getting in my head about it.”

“Yeah, I get that. But I’m not sure it’s a big deal. If something happens between you two, it’s probably worth a conversation. But really truly, it’s probably just a lot of internet hype.”

“K. Good to know. Thanks, Mia.”

“Of course. Now, get your bikini-clad butt out to the beach so Theo can swoon over how hot you are. I’m extra glad I swapped out the bottoms of your suit now that I know you have someone to impress.”

“I knew these bottoms were different!” I say. “You little sneak.”

“Tell me you don’t look amazing in them,” Mia says. “I have a pair in a different color, and I swear they work miracles.”

I only grumble in response because she’s right, and she knows she’s right. Cheeky or not, these bottoms are more flattering than the ones I was planning to buy.