String Beans (The Girls of Beachmont #2)

by T. K. Rapp

  “Then I guess we’ll see you there.”

  “Oh yeah?” I asked, swallowing hard. “I’m glad that it’s working out.”

  “It’s…”

  “I’m sorry,” I interrupted. “I really have to go. But I’ll see you tonight.”

  I hurried down the stairs until I was out of the building. I don’t think I’d ever made it to the office so quickly. It’s funny how motivating avoidance is. It wasn’t until I unlocked the door and set my things on my desk that I allowed myself to process the past fifteen minutes.

  And then I spent the rest of the afternoon dreading the evening, knowing I’d see Wyatt with Emma.

  ***

  “How much do you love me?” Jolie asked when I walked into our apartment. She was grinning from ear to ear and I could see she had some news to share.

  “Depends… Are you going to trick me into talking to Wyatt again?” I muttered.

  “Better! I’m going to help you forget about him for the weekend.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’re calling in sick tomorrow. I’ve taken the day off, and we are going on a road trip.”

  “Oh yeah? Where to?”

  “Vegas, baby!”

  “Vegas? Why Vegas? You know I love you, but I’m not marrying you,” I laughed.

  “I think we both need this break. You need to get away from here and have some fun. It’s been a crazy year for you.”

  “And what’s your excuse?”

  “I don’t need an excuse. I love Vegas and free booze.”

  “Okay, works for me,” I said, walking down the hall to my bedroom. I could hear her footsteps behind me, and of course she followed me into my room. I was changing and she’d made herself comfortable on my bed.

  It was still early and I figured we’d get something to eat before meeting up with Callie and Dallas to go out.

  “How was your chat with Wyatt?” she asked.

  “Awkward. Thanks for that, by the way.”

  “So?”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Do you still have feelings for him?”

  “Jeez, Jo, you’ve got some nerve, you know.”

  “I know.” She smiled proudly. “It’s what you love about me.”

  “Yeah. I think I love you in spite of it.”

  “You still didn’t answer my question.”

  “And?”

  She rolled her eyes and sighed. “You. Wyatt. Do you still like him?”

  “He’s sweet, and funny, and nice…”

  “And sexy. Don’t forget sexy.”

  “Point is, I didn’t want to admit that I felt anything. And when I did, I was already pawning him off on someone else. So to answer your question—yes. But timing is a bitch and I have to move on.”

  “Yeah. Timing. That’s the bitch here.”

  “Are you implying that I’m the bitch?” I scoffed before flashing a smile.

  “Yes. But you already know that. My point is, you brought this on yourself.”

  “I know…you’re right,” I admitted regretfully.

  “Don’t be mad at me, but I have to say something else.”

  “When has the potential for my being angry with you stopped you from saying whatever the hell you want?” I huffed.

  “Good point.” She sat up and crossed her arms. “I think we’ve covered that I think you were wrong in letting Wyatt go, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay, well as nice as Emma is, she’s not right for him.”

  I was taking off my blouse to hang it up when I paused. The damn thing felt like it was tangled around my neck and I couldn’t figure a way out. I struggled clumsily for a second before getting loose and pulling on a T-shirt.

  “Yeah. I’ve seen them together,” she answered my unasked question. “It was just once, but it wasn’t natural. I think he’s only with her because you suggested it. Which makes no sense to me.”

  “You saw them,” I repeated. I turned around and finished changing my clothes, trying to not let the disappointment of her admission cut me. I put on a pair of jeans and sat next to her on the bed.

  “Yeah. I think those two are better off as friends or coworkers or whatever. But a couple, they are not.”

  “Maybe not, but that’s for them to figure out. Hell, I’m still waiting for my divorce to be finalized.”

  Jolie looked at me with wide eyes and open mouth and I cringed at my words. My parents were still the only ones who knew that I’d moved forward with filing. I didn’t intend to keep silent about it so long, especially from Jolie, but there it was.

  “You filed for a divorce?” she asked. “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “It wasn’t a secret, really, but I wasn’t running around shouting it from the rooftops.”

  She looked away, the shock still registering on her face, and l felt like the worst person ever.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

  “Are you kidding me?” she asked with a beaming smile. “This is the best news I’ve heard all day! Do you know what this means?”

  “That I’m getting divorced,” I reminded her.

  “No. It means that you’re moving on.” She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tightly. “I’m so proud of you, Vi. I’ve been worried about you and your inability to let go, when that’s what you’ve been doing all along.”

  I returned the hug and found myself surprised when she pulled away and swatted at my arm.

  “Ouch,” I groaned and rubbed the spot she’d hit.

  “Ouch, my ass.” She pointed her finger at me and glared. “You deserve harder than that.”

  “Look, don’t go telling everyone. I’m not trying to make a big deal about this.”

  “Vegas is getting better and better by the second.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Well, I didn’t tell you the best part.”

  “And that would be?”

  “Tabor got us a corner suite at the Aria and Dani is meeting us there!”

  “Are you kidding me? Wait…this isn’t a bachelorette party is it?” I asked.

  “No. At least not that I know of,” she answered.

  “What about Millie?”

  “Dani said she hasn’t been feeling well, but she’ll try to meet us for a girls’ weekend another time.”

  “Okay, I need to let Mr. Bateman know that I won’t be in tomorrow.” I got up and looked for my phone to call him.

  Since I’d gotten so much done while he was in court, he was more than happy to give me the day off. Jolie was right: I needed to get away for a few days, and the timing was perfect.

  “I’m all set,” I said and placed my phone down.

  “Well, not just yet. We still need to pack…and we promised Dallas that we’d be his wingchicks tonight.”

  “Yeah…I’m not sure I can do that,” I said. “Wyatt said they’d see me there tonight.”

  “So?”

  “Helping Emma land the guy I’m into was stupid—granted—but having to hang out with them all night and see it thrown in my face is humiliating.”

  “Too bad,” she quipped. “We promised Dallas and we’re going to be there. We’ll just make sure you’re good and liquored up. Okay?”

  “Aw, do you mean it, Jo?”

  “Drunk Viola is crazy. Drunk Viola doesn’t give a damn. On second thought…we’ll save that for Vegas.”

  “What about tonight?” I groaned.

  “I’m making you the designated driver,” she said. Jolie stood up and began to leave my room, but paused and looked over her shoulder. “Thanks for that, by the way.”

  “You owe me,” I called out after her.

  “We need to hurry up and eat so we can be ready for tonight.”

  When she left, I walked to look at my reflection and rolled my eyes. I didn’t recognize the weak woman in front of me. She was disappointing. I pointed at the mirror and gave the woman staring back a stern look. “Get your shit together.”<
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  Chapter 18

  Without the security of alcohol to take the edge off seeing Wyatt and Emma, I found myself feeling overly uncomfortable. I changed my outfit four different times before settling on a little black dress and heels.

  If I was to have the happy couple shoved in my face, I wanted to look good seeing it.

  Was it an immature strategy? Of course it was.

  Did I care? Not at all. I, after all, was the one being forced to eat a big slice of humble pie. Even if it was of my own making…I just wanted some ice cream to go with it and make it a little easier to digest.

  “We need to go,” Dallas called out from my front door.

  “Coming.”

  I checked my hair one last time and walked into the living room where he, Callie, and Jolie were waiting.

  “Who are you trying to impress?” Callie asked with a giggle.

  “We’re going to a club,” I said with a straight face. “This is what people wear to clubs.”

  “You don’t,” Dallas said quickly. “I don’t think I’ve seen you in a dress in the whole time you’ve lived here.”

  “He’s right,” Callie chimed in.

  “We need to get going unless you two want to stand in line all night,” Jolie said, sparing me any further scrutiny.

  “I’m ready,” I said, and mouthed a silent thank you.

  Dallas held the door open and we filed outside to my waiting car. Dallas sat in the front with me and tried to find something on the radio while Jolie and Callie discussed something that I didn’t care to catch.

  After a short drive, we pulled up to Mood Swings and noticed the long line. Jolie and Callie got out to hold a spot in line while Dallas and I found a place to park. Unfortunately, the only place I found was on the street a block away and I instantly regretted the damn heels. But I’d survive. Dallas waited for me on the sidewalk and we made our way toward the club, where we were dodging people from all sides as we got closer.

  “Are you nervous?” I asked Dallas.

  “No,” he answered quickly and then flashed his sweet smile that gave him away.

  “We don’t know his name, so what do we know about this guy?”

  “Not much, but that’s the point. In the few minutes we talked, I wanted to know more.”

  “Do you know if he’s even working tonight?”

  “I asked a some people I know and they all seem to think so.”

  We kept walking and silence settled between us. It was weighing heavy on my mind and it was on the tip of my tongue to ask about Wyatt.

  “In case you were wondering, Wyatt won’t be here tonight. Said that he had something to take care of,” Dallas said, as if he sensed my unease.

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, probably for the best, considering the weirdness between you two.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “None of my business,” he said as we reached Jolie and Callie.

  “What’s none of your business?” Callie asked.

  “Whatever’s going on with Vi and Wyatt.”

  “Can we not talk about that again?” Jolie pleaded and I smiled at her.

  “Works for me,” I answered.

  “Wait. What’s going on with you and Wyatt?” Callie asked me. “I thought Dallas said he was seeing that Emma chick from the coffee shop.”

  Dallas nudged her arm and she clamped her mouth shut.

  Of course he’s seeing her…I did this. I shoved him into her arms and now I have to suck it up and be happy for him. Tomorrow. I’ll be happy for him tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll fake it as best I can.

  “Listen, I’m the one that told him about Emma. It’s fine. We’re here to have fun and that’s what I intend on doing.”

  “Too bad you can’t drink,” Jolie mocked and I bumped my hip into hers, laughing when she swayed.

  “Yeah, but you’re paying me back in Vegas.”

  “Vegas?” Callie asked. “Who’s going to Vegas?”

  “Me and Vi. We’re meeting our friend Dani there.” Jolie looked at me and then at our friends. “Any chance you two want to join?”

  Callie bounced excitedly and hugged us both. “I’ve never been to Vegas! Is it true that the drinks are free?”

  I looked over at Jolie and pointed. “Now you get to babysit two of us.”

  She rolled her eyes and I could tell she was regretting the invitation, but not sincerely. Jolie and I had been friends long enough to know that we always looked after each other, and she’d easily add Callie to the list of people she cared about.

  After twenty minutes in line and nonstop chatter about the Vegas trip, we finally walked into the club. It was as crowded as every other time I’d been there, so we made a lap around to find a spot. I noticed Dallas’s smile widen and I leaned in so he could hear me.

  “Did you find him?”

  “Yep.”

  I followed his view and saw the bartender looking at him wearing a similar smile. Dallas started walking toward the counter where the nameless one was standing and I trailed behind, grabbing Jolie and Callie along the way.

  We found a table near the bar and Dallas offered to buy the first round. Of course his motives weren’t exactly sincere, but everyone gladly played along. I watched as he flirted with the attractive blond behind the counter at the bar and paid for the drinks. He returned to our table and handed drinks to everyone, including water for me.

  “And his name?” I asked.

  “James.”

  “Number?”

  “I’ll get it later.” He smiled.

  Jolie and Callie finished their drinks quickly and were ready to hit the dance floor.

  “Let’s go,” Jolie said, giving my arm a gentle pull.

  “I’m good,” I said and then nodded my head at Dallas. “I’m going to stay here.”

  She knew better than to drag me out there, because my feet lacked rhythm unless I was drinking. And even then, I was pretty sure my dance moves were only good in my head.

  “Don’t worry about me,” Dallas said as we watched them disappear into the crowd.

  “I’m not,” I laughed. “You’re my excuse.”

  “Glad to help.”

  He looked over at James and smiled. He didn’t have many customers and it seemed as though Dallas was waiting for an invitation.

  “Go talk to him,” I said.

  “He’s busy.”

  I looked over again and saw James wiping the counter down.

  “Clearly,” I said as I waved my hand in his direction. James looked over and I smiled before looking at Dallas. “He’s waiting. Go. I’ll be right here…waiting for details.”

  Dallas threw back his drink and walked over the bar to talk to James. I watched over my shoulder and thought they’d make a cute couple. In the time I’d known Dallas, I hadn’t seen him so interested in someone.

  I was beginning to feel like a weirdo watching him, so I pulled out my phone and checked my email while I waited for my friends. There was nothing interesting, and being in a club completely sober wasn’t much fun.

  Me: Can’t wait for tomorrow!!

  Dani: Me too!

  Me: What time are you getting there?

  Dani: Flight lands at noon. You?

  Me: 4 hour drive. We’ll leave early enough to get you from the airport.

  Dani: Sounds good. You better get some sleep.

  Me: Can’t. Club. DD.

  Dani: Ouch!

  Me: I know. And I’m bored because everyone is doing something.

  Dani: That’s why you’re texting me at midnight.

  Me: Yep! See you tomorrow.

  Dani: K

  I was so excited to see Dani; it’d been far too long. The four of us used to go out all the time when we were in college, but since going our own ways, we didn’t see each other as much as we’d like.

  Jolie and Dani likely had the whole trip planned out, which was fine with me. I loved Vegas, though I’d only been once, on my twenty-first birthday. I went home a tho
usand dollars richer and chalked it up to beginner’s luck. My theory was the city would take it back when I returned, so I hadn’t been back, which was why Vegas was great to me.

  “That’s a nice smile,” a voice said, dragging my attention over my shoulder.

  I looked around once I was sure he was talking to me and smiled. A clean-shaven man with brown eyes and dark hair stood in front of me, slightly taller than me in my heels. He didn’t look like most of the guys who frequented clubs…tight pants and tighter shirts… This guy looked like he’d just left the office.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  “That’s sweet, but I’m not drinking tonight.”

  “Are you the designated driver?” he asked sweetly.

  I kept my face neutral when I told him, “No. I’m a recovering alcoholic.”

  His smile faded and I started laughing. “I’m just kidding. Sorry.”

  He laughed too and sat down at one of the barstools. “Owen,” he said as he extended his hand.

  “Viola.”

  “I’m pretty sure you aren’t here alone,” he said as he looked around to see who might join me.

  “You’d be right.” I looked at the bar and pointed at Dallas. “That one and two others that are dancing.”

  “Why aren’t you out there with them?”

  “I don’t dance,” I said definitively.

  “Why is that?” he asked as he leaned forward to hear my answer.

  “Have you seen Napoleon Dynamite?”

  He nodded, but his brows furrowed at the odd question and I laughed. “He’s got better dance moves than me.”

  “I think I’d like to see that.”

  “You’ll be waiting a long time.”

  Dallas, the good friend that he was, spotted my new companion and walked over acting like a protective brother.

  “Vi?” he asked, draping his arm over my shoulder.

  “Dallas, this is Owen. Owen, this is Dallas.”

  The two shook hands and Dallas raised a brow, but I offered a wink to let him know I was okay before he went back to James.

  “He’s always like that,” I explained.

  “Good guy,” Owen said. “So what do you do?”

  “Admin by day, badass by night.” I smirked and then felt my cheeks heat. “I don’t know why I said that. It was stupid.”