Page 46 of The Beachside Rental

Jenna won the last hand.She didn’t have a question ready for him.She struggled to come up with something.And then a thought came to her.It was something she’d been wondering about.

“What’s the title of your most popular book?”

Chapter Thirteen

Thesilenceengulfedthem.

Jenna really wanted to know more about Simon’s writing.It fascinated her that he wrote books.She planned to read it—even if it was the most boring book she’d ever read.

Before Simon answered, she rushed on to say, “I’ve never known an author before.This is so exciting.”

He didn’t immediately respond.She figured he was probably trying to figure out which book was the most popular.Maybe he didn’t sell that many, and so he didn’t keep track.

“Why don’t we skip that question?”he said.

And then she realized he was embarrassed to answer the question.She hated that she’d put him on the spot.“It’s okay.Just name one of your books.I’m anxious to look it up.”

“But you don’t read my genre.”

She shrugged.“It doesn’t hurt to try something new.”

“Is this really that important to you?”

If he was this embarrassed to tell her the title of his book, how was he ever going to sell them?Maybe he just needed someone to prop him up and cheer him on.She could do that.She could be his very own cheerleader.

She looked directly at him.“Yes, it’s important.”

He averted his gaze.“Time’s Ticking.”

She had to have misheard him.“Wait.What?”

“Time’s Tickingis my most popular book.”

“You named your book after the most popular movie series?Can you do that?I thought they trademarked those names.”She realized that she was rambling on.“I’m sorry.I’m just confused.”

He still wouldn’t look at her.“It’s okay.I probably should have told you this before now.It’s just that I keep that part of my life private.”

The more he talked, the more the puzzle pieces started to fall into place.And she gasped.“Are you trying to tell me that you’re Thomas Sinclair, the famous author?”

There was a slight hesitation before he nodded.“Yes.”

Her mouth gaped.“Really?You aren’t just making this up, are you?”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Wow.”And here she was thinking that he was embarrassed because he didn’t sell any books when in fact he’d probably sold more books that year than any other author.“Wait until my family hears this.”

“Could I ask you for a favor?”

“Um, sure.What?”

“Could you keep this information just between us?”

“But why?I thought you’d want to shout it from the rooftops.You’re famous.”

He shook his head.“I write under a pseudonym to keep my life private.At least I used to before my ex-girlfriend got mad when we broke up and she sold my identity to the tabloids.It wouldn’t have been so bad, but it was right when the final book in the series released—it’s the book where the hero is killed off.”

“Hey!”She frowned at him.“You shouldn’t have told me that.Now I know how the series ends.”