Modern Girl's Guide To Vacation Flings

by DRAYER, GINA

  "I like her a lot," Mom continued. "Beth is different."

  "Different than Kitty?" Matt asked, amused at his mother's continual meddling.

  "Oh God, yes. I only encouraged you to pay attention to Kitty because I thought she was your type. She's a lot like the other girls you've been with. I've never judged your taste, but I'm so glad to see I was wrong," she said and gave him a tight squeeze. "To be honest I was beginning to worry you were just like your brother. That boy. He has certainly tested my patience. The girls. I swear there wasn't a girl for miles he didn't try to get. Bridget might not have been my first choice, but…" She waved her hand as if dismissing the thought. "Jason is settled. I just want the same for you."

  The music stopped. Matt decided to ignore his mother's comment about being settled and excused himself. He needed to get to Beth before someone else decided to ask her to dance. He managed to reach her seconds before some other asshole.

  "Excuse me," Matt said, really channeling his alpha male now. "I believe it's my turn to dance with my girlfriend."

  The afternoon was going better than she'd hoped. Beth had thought about staying on the boat. And not because she didn't have anything to wear as Bridget had implied. It was a stroke of good luck she had the Bridesmaid dress with her. Sophia had a good eye for fashion and the dress was just formal enough for the party without looking like wedding attire. She'd have to let her sister know that for once the bride was right; she would be able to wear the dress after the wedding.

  No, the dress was perfect. Her issues were with the attendees. Beth didn't fit in the society set. And other than the few functions she managed to make with Robert, she hadn't had to endure the crème of Chicago's society in a long time.

  While she was still in college, her mother had invited her to all their parties. They had been newlyweds and Glenn had wanted to show off his new family to the press. Beth didn't know why her mom kept insisting she come. Beth didn't fit into her mother's new life.

  It wasn't that she hadn't tried, but it was like there was a big target on her back and a sign that said "stick knife here."

  The guys were bad. Grade A assholes most of them. Undergrad and field work had prepared her for dealing with them, but the women were another story. Seriously, the women knew how to tear you down with just a few cutting words. And it was like a sport to them. Mean Girls was amateur hour compared to the Society Bitches of Chicago.

  So when she'd been seated at the single guy's table that afternoon, Beth was actually relieved. The guys at her table were nice enough, and at least she didn't have to deal with the catty comments about her dress or judgment about her family. But that didn't mean the guys weren't a problem, they were pushy. When Hector, who'd sat next to her during lunch, asked her to dance, he'd completely ignored her refusal. He grabbed her hand, insisting she should dance, and pulled her to the dance floor.

  And much to her dismay, Hector turned out to be handsy. She loved to dance, but what she did with Hector was more like a game of soccer. He kept trying to sneak past her defenses, and like any good goalie, she spent the dance blocking his wandering hands from reaching their goal.

  When the song was over, Beth thought to make a hasty retreat, but Harry, another of her tablemates, spun her back onto the dance floor. Harry, thankfully, was better mannered and he'd obviously had lessons. And after the song was over, she'd almost asked him for another dance, but she caught Matt heading their way, seething.

  "Another dance?" Harry asked.

  Beth shook her head and nodded to Matt. "I should get back to my date. Try me again later. And thank your mom for me. I'm sure the fifteen year old boy hated every minute of dance lessons, but trust me, it's a good skill to have."

  Beth intercepted Matt. He was shooting daggers at Harry, and snapped at another man approaching them, before turning his attention to her. If this were a real relationship, she might think his was jealous, but as it was, he probably frustrated with her. She had yet to make her appearance as his girlfriend after all.

  "Beth, I'm glad to see you're enjoying yourself," he said a little too cool.

  Great, it was only the second day and she was already screwing this up. She should have been more forceful with Hector. After all, she was here at Matt's invitation.

  "Matt, I'm sorry. I meant to—" With the apology poised on her lips, Holly came up behind her, interrupting their conversation.

  "Your dress is perfect," she said. "You must have coordinated before the reception. You two look stunning together. I know Mom will want a picture."

  Beth was surprised by the compliment and was caught off guard by the flash of the camera. This was awkward. It was one thing to pretend to be in a relationship with Matt, but it was another to end up in the family album. She held up a hand trying to wave Holly off. "No, really. I just got done dancing and I'm sure my make-up needs to be touched up."

  "Don't be ridiculous. You look great. Now, if that one will smile I can get the picture." She shot her brother a pointed look. "Come on guys. It's for Mom."

  Beth was trying to back away, but to her surprise, Matt slid his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his hot breath causing gooseflesh to breakout across her skin. "Just smile and take the damn picture, so she will go away. I'd like to talk with you alone."

  He was pissed. Oh, well. Maybe when she agreed to this deal, Beth should have let him know she made a terrible girlfriend. They were in the thick of it now. Matt was just going to have to deal.

  They posed for a few photos and Holly moved on. Beth swiped a glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters and pushed forward, not waiting for Matt.

  "You have every right to be mad at me. I was late. I should have come to your table after lunch was over. I'm sorry."

  Instead of looking relieved or accepting, he looked utterly confused. "I'm not mad at you, Beth."

  "But you looked pissed. I know I should have asked you to dance first."

  "Fuck. You don't have to ask my permission to dance. And that look was…"

  "Beth, you're looking particularly lovely this evening. I'm not sure who's more heartbroken. All the single women in Chicago, because Matt is finally off the market, or the men. Because my dear, every man in this place has had eyes on you," Terry said. He slung an arm around Matt's shoulder. "Keep hold of this one, or someone's liable to steal her way."

  Beside her, Matt sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

  Terry leaned in and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. "He should be thanking you. Bridget has been trying to fix Matt with her sister for months. Kitty isn't half the woman you are," he said with a wink.

  Terry continued chatting about Kitty and her less desirable qualities, all the while Matt's gaze never left Beth. While Kitty and Bridget might not be her favorite people, Beth detested gossip. And regardless of how bitchy the two of them had been to her, there was no need to talk behind their backs.

  "You know Terry, I hear you're renovating a historic home on the north side," Beth said, trying to segue into a new topic. "How that going?"

  "Slow," he said. "I have a contractor helping me, but it's still like living in a war zone." Terry set into a long story about his newly refinished floor and his cat leaving paw prints all over the house. And after a few minutes, Beth had to bite back the laugher. Terry was hilarious and she could have listened to him all night, but Matt was losing patience.

  Terry was winding down, but then Matt's father joined them with Richard Shelton in tow. She finished off her drink and thought about getting another. It didn't look like she and Matt would get that chance to talk anytime soon.

  "Senator, you remember my son, Matt, and this is his girlfriend Beth Riley."

  "Beth Riley? My goodness. You're Samantha Archer's daughter, aren't you?"

  "That's right. I'm her oldest daughter. We met several years ago at the Juvenile Diabetes fundraising event."

  "Yes, I do rec
all. She was on the board with my wife that year if I remember correctly. Your mother is lovely woman."

  "Thank you, Senator Shelton. How's Michelle? I didn't see her with you today."

  "Please call me Richard," he said with a slick smile. "Unfortunately, Michelle was in a bit of an accident and broke her arm, so she decided not to come. I'll be sure to give her your regards. Since I'm lacking a partner, would you mind joining me for a dance?"

  She looked to Matt, who simply sighed and waved her off. He didn't look happy. They needed to have a few minutes alone to have that conversation. But she couldn't think of an excuse to get out of dancing with Richard, so she took the senator's arm and followed him to the dance floor.

  Richard was an excellent dancer, and she relaxed a little. But a few bars into the song he asked, "What does Glenn think of you dating the Carver boy?"

  Not quite sure where he was going with this Beth replied wearily, "I'm not sure why he'd be interested in my dating life."

  "Come now. We're all friends here. The Carvers are longtime supporters of mine. Don't think that you'll be able to sway their support just because you're with Matt," he said. After a quick two step, he extended his arm and spun her. Pulling her back in, there was a hard smile on his face that hadn't been there before. "You realize this will probably backfire on you. Because of your long absence from his campaign and now being seen at the same event I'm attending, the press will assume that Glenn's own step-daughter has decided to support me."

  His assumption that she'd only be with Matt to garner political support for her step-father pissed her off. She stopped in the middle of their dance and glared at him. "Well Richard, whatever you do in your family is your own business, but my mother doesn't whore out her daughters for votes. And I don't appreciate the not-so-subtle, implication that I might be after Matt because of his family's influence."

  "Now, girl. That's not what I meant and you know it. I just thought it was fair to warn you how the press will see these things.

  "I couldn't give a fuck what the press thinks."

  Just then she felt a warm presence behind her and Beth turned to see Matt glowering at the two of them. "Senator, if I may cut in. I'd like to dance with my girlfriend," Matt said.

  Fuck. She was really screwing up this whole girlfriend thing. "Matt…"

  He moved her away from Richard and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Are you okay?" he asked, his face softening.

  "What?"

  "Things looked tense. I know what a dick Richard Shelton can be, and I thought you might like an out."

  She blinked up at him. He'd actually come to her rescue. "It was just a political disagreement," she said, shrugging it off.

  The mournful guitar chords of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" filled the room, and Matt wrapped an arm around her. "I've been wanting to do this all day," Matt whispered into her ear.

  So caught up in the moment, Beth had to clarify what he was talking about. "Wanted to do what?"

  "Touch you," he said. Matt's grip got tighter around her waist, and she found herself pressed against him. "And now that I have, I don't think I'll let you go."

  She should have pulled back. They were in public after all, but fuck it all, if she didn't lean into him more.

  His normal casual look was sexy on him, but the formal look was even better. The white and tan suit was perfectly tailored for his body, showing off his lean, hard frame to perfection. And as he wrapped an arm around her waist, she couldn't help but notice the blue color of his tie and vest were almost the same shade as her dress. Holly had been right, they looked good together.

  Just like that, the room dissolved into the background, and it was just the two of them. As they moved across the dance floor, Beth felt like Dorothy transported someplace rich with color and feelings.

  As the song reached its conclusion, she hadn't even noticed they weren't dancing anymore. They were just standing in the middle of the crowd holding each other while swaying to a rhythm all their own. She could have stood there all night. Unfortunately, someone called Matt's name, breaking the spell.

  Matt leaned down and brushed her lips gently. "I still have some things to do for my parents. When we get back to the boat—"

  "Matt, they're ready for you." Kitty's annoyed voice interrupted him.

  "I'm coming," he yelled over his shoulder. This time when he leaned down, his kiss was hard and rushed. "What I was trying to say is that I'd like to see you tonight after the party."

  "See me?" Beth teased. "You mean like wave to me in the hall?"

  "Matt. If you don't come back and give your toast now, they will have to push back the cake service. You know Holly will lose it if things don't stay on schedule."

  "Fuck. I'll be right there." He took a step back, still holding her hand. With his voice still low so people around wouldn't hear, Matt said, "Beth, if we are in the hall when I finally get my hands on you, we'd get kicked off the boat. And given some of the things I have in mind, possibly arrested." With that, he turned and disappeared into the crush.

  Wow. She needed a cold shower now or at the very least a cold drink. Glad that none of her table mates swooped in for another dance, Beth made her way through the mingling crowd until she found a waiter and snatched another glass.

  The PA system squealed and Matt's voice filled the room. "I want to thank everyone for coming such a long way to help our family celebrate. Today we are here not only to toast the marriage of two people who are still madly in love after all these years, but also to honor the love they bestowed on everyone in their lives."

  There were a few awes from the crowd. Matt continued to talk about love, commitment, and family. He talked about the love that surrounded them growing up and how much the love his parents shared with each other touched each of their children's lives.

  Beth couldn't help but think back to her own childhood. Her own parents had been in love like that once. Growing up, she thought her parents had a fairytale romance, running away together to a foreign land and going on adventures. But she found out that not all stories have happy endings. Love wasn't always enough.

  Her head was filled with too many black thoughts to face him, so she downed the rest of her champagne and headed for the ladies room before he was done. She didn't want to see him after that speech feeling sorry for herself. She was sitting in one of the stalls, trying to collect her thoughts, when Bridget and Kitty came in.

  "…and that dress." Kitty's nasal voice filled the small space.

  "It's obvious now why Senator Archer and his new wife never have her at any of their events," Bridget added.

  Great. She was stuck in the bathroom with super bitch and her stiletto clad side kick wonder nag. Normally, Beth would have marched out there, tossed a few choice words in their direction, and left, but she wasn't here at her mom's behest. She didn't want to put Matt in the situation where he'd have to defend his fake girlfriend to his brother's real wife. Luckily, the stalls at the resort were equipped with full doors. There was no way for them to know she was there and she'd just wait them out.

  Of course, the catty comments didn't stop. They didn't really know Beth, but they had plenty of things to say.

  "I don't know what he sees in her?" Kitty said, back to her whining. "I emailed Margo last night. She told me that the rumor was Beth has a string of men in all those places she travels. Can you even imagine?"

  "Listen sweetie, you know Matt is just slumming. All guys go through this phase right before they settle down. It's like a rite of passage," Bridget said. "I don't think she could have been any more gauche at lunch. I can't believe she admitted to bathing in the river and sharing a hut with other men. She might as well have advertised she was easy."

  "Seriously, and did you see the way she was groping Matt on the dance floor after letting that other guy put his hands all over her? I have no idea why he invited her."

  "Don't worry. A girl like that won't keep his attention for long. She's hardly presentable as a girlfriend. She
's definitely not wife material."

  And didn't that just hit home. That was exactly what Robert thought, wasn't it? Robert was a good man who would want a wife that could provide him and his children a stable home. He needed someone who would be there for him as he grew his medical practice. Bridget was right. Beth, with her globetrotting job and erratic schedule, wasn't wife material.

  "When we get home, we'll just have to show him what a great wife you'd make. We already know he's attracted to you. Jason told me all about walking in on you two at our wedding reception."

  "Jason swore he wouldn't say anything," Kitty said with a giggle. "We did have a good time. I wish he would have come back to my room though."

  "I'm sure he didn't want people to gossip."

  "I wouldn't mind a little bit of that gossip. Can I just tell you, for a quiet guy, Matt certainly rocked my world."

  "See. You have chemistry. When we get back home, I'm going to take Martha's advice and invite you guys over for brunch. He just needs to see how well you fit into his life," Bridget said. "Tonight should just be family and friends. Beth is practically a stranger. You know I'd ask her to leave, but I'm worried she'd cause a scene. Christ, if I wanted a slutty girl to grope men at this party, I would have invited Heather."

  They both laughed at Bridget's dig, and left the bathroom. Beth stayed there for a few seconds processing her emotions. Everything they had said was cruel, but not the worst she'd endured. What was it about money that morphed these women into blood thirsty piranhas? Maybe it was just her and the general "couldn't give a fuck" vibe she gave off?

  Beth didn't know, and to be honest she didn't care. For fuck's sake, she was on vacation and shouldn't have to deal with this kind of abuse. Between the senator's dig and their catty remarks, she was done. This was her trip and she wasn't going to spend another minute feeling bad about herself.

  Beth had made an appearance, even danced with Matt in front of guests, now it was time for her to leave. She thought about telling Matt, but knew he'd try and talk her into staying. So making sure to stay under the radar, Beth grabbed her bag and exited the reception through a side door.