The Wives of Beverly Row 1: Lust Has a New Address by Abby Weeks Page A

house.
    “Should we knock?” Ariel said.
    She felt so awkward. Becky looked like she felt the same. They both wished they knew even just one person at the party. They’d moved in to their new house a few days ago and the invite had been waiting for them. Someone had slid it under the front door and it was addressed to them both by name. Ariel was surprised anyone even knew their names, let alone was inviting them to a party.
    They both felt nervous as they climbed the steps to the aged, wooden door and rang the bell. They could have simply walked around the house and joined the party but they were too shy.
    “This is weird,” Becky said, looking a little desperately at her mother.
    Ariel smiled at her bravely. She was the mom. It was her job to provide the moral support.
    “It’s fine, honey. Just try to relax.”
    *
    T HE MAN WHO OPENED THE door was a lot handsomer than either of them had expected.
    “Good morning, ladies,” he said.
    “Good morning,” they stammered.
    “Jake Medeiros,” he said, extending his hand.
    They both shook it.
    “I’m Ariel. This is my daughter, Becky.”
    “A pleasure,” Becky said.
    Ariel shot her a glance. Becky wasn’t usually in the habit of telling people things were a pleasure . Jake Medeiros was definitely crush material for a sixteen-year-old. Hell, even for a thirty-four-year-old he was quite something. He was dark and Mediterranean-looking with a well-built torso under his linen shirt. A few stray chest hairs poked out from his V-neck collar. He was one of those handsome, rich, early-forties men that California seemed to breed in abundance.
    “Thank you so much for inviting us,” Ariel said.
    “Oh, thank you for coming. The whole Row’s here and everyone’s been dying to meet the new neighbors.”
    “Great,” Becky said, weakly.
    Ariel was relieved that there were only four houses on the row.
    “Two young girls all alone in that big house! That counts as news in these parts,” Jake said and winked at Ariel.
    Ariel couldn’t help blushing. She wasn’t sure what Jake was hinting at but she was pretty sure he was hinting at something . She didn’t know what to say so she just stood there.
    “Well, follow me, girls,” he said and led them into the house. “I’ll show you in.”
    Ariel looked at Becky.
    Becky raised her eyebrows. “Pretty hot,” she mouthed silently.
    Ariel hit her on the arm.
    They followed Jake into a large and beautifully appointed kitchen and put the food on the marble countertop. It joined a mountain of other perfectly prepared dishes. The other guests were all out in the backyard, standing around the pool with margaritas or mojitos in their hands. They were a good-looking crowd, just six people, but Ariel felt a sudden panic as she realized the women were all in bathing suits. All that effort to get dressed and they were in the wrong outfits.
    “Don’t be shy,” Jake said. “You two can get ready through there. Come out when you’ve got your bathing suits on.”
    Ariel and Becky stood by the counter and looked at him.
    “We didn’t know it was a pool party,” Becky said.
    “Oh no!” Jake said. “Didn’t the invite say?”
    “No it didn’t,” Becky said.
    “That’s okay,” Ariel said. “It’s no big deal.”
    The people outside had noticed the newcomers and were looking in at them.
    “Nonsense,” Jake said. “I’m sure Zola has some extra bikinis lying around. I’ll get her to find you something.”
    “Really, don’t go to any trouble.”
    Jake went to the door. “Zola, honey” he called. “They’re here, the new girls. They don’t have any bathing suits.”
    Ariel looked at Becky. They were both embarrassed but Becky was putting on a brave face. Poor girl, Ariel thought. It was pretty awkward with everyone outside looking at them.
    A young, tanned, Hispanic woman who looked to be in her late twenties came running over with a margarita in her hand. She was wearing a very sexy golden bikini and had the