Page 48 of The Beachside Rental

“What did he say?”

“He had the nerve to follow me to the elevators where he tried to explain that he did nothing wrong.That we weren’t exclusive, even though we’d been seeing each other for five months.I’d even introduced him to all of my family and friends.We were exclusive.Let me rephrase.I was faithful to him, but who knows how many other women he was seeing behind my back.”

“I’m sorry he did that to you.He’s a fool.If I had a woman like you in my life, I would have no need for any other.You are the complete package.”

The heat in her cheeks returned with a vengeance, setting her whole face aflame.“Thank you.”

The thing that struck her when retelling the tale was that it no longer hurt to think back to the way Frank had humiliated her.She’d never really been in love with him—infatuated with him, yes—in love with him, no.It took her a while to sort through those distinctions.

But when she looked over at Simon in the candlelight, she had no doubt that she was falling for him.She knew it wasn’t ideal as he might not be on the island come next year, but her heart didn’t care about logic.It only cared about him.

And then she realized that Simon was suddenly a lot closer than when they’d started this conversation.The next thing she knew, the backs of his fingers were brushing along her cheek.It sent chills cascading over her skin.

He stared into her eyes.“I’m sorry he did that to you.The man truly was a fool not to see the amazing woman in front of him.I won’t make that mistake.”

And then before she knew what to think or say, he was leaning toward her.Her heart launched into the back of her throat, blocking the surprised gasp.

He was going to kiss her.This time she was certain of it.She felt as though she’d been waiting forever for this moment.Her eyes fluttered shut.Then his lips pressed to hers.

He was hesitant at first, as though unsure if she wanted his kiss.And then she kissed him back.She wanted to turn and lean into him, but with them seated on the couch, it made maneuvering a challenge.And so, she stayed in place as she leaned into his kiss.Her heart pounded.No other kiss had ever felt so right.

This was definitely a storm that she was going to remember for the rest of her life.As though to drive home the thought, there was a loud clap of thunder.It appeared the storm wasn’t done with them yet.

Then next thing she knew, there was a large dog in their laps.And their kiss that had barely started was already over.To say she was disappointed would be a complete and utter understatement.

Simon got the tail end of Gus while she got the wet nose and panting side of things.She petted him and then wrapped her arms around him, feeling his slight tremble.It wasn’t as bad as earlier.She took that as a good sign.He felt safe with her and Simon.

“It’s okay, boy.The storm will be over soon,” she said.

“I thought it was over,” Simon said.

“I did too.I guess we were a bit premature.”

Simon moved slowly as he slid out from under the dog.And then he got up and moved to the windows.She wanted to follow him, but Gus wasn’t moving from her lap.Instead, he settled with his front paws and head resting on her legs.She kept running her hands over his soft fur as she softly told him that everything was going to be all right.

“What do you see?”she asked Simon.

“It’s hard to see much of anything.It’s so dark out.But it doesn’t look like anyone else on our street has power.”

“Hopefully, the power company will be able to fix it soon.”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath.I think one of the transformers went out.If so, it’ll take a bit for them to replace it.”

“Oh.I should report it.”

“Jenna, they aren’t going to come out in the middle of the storm.”

“But if we don’t get on the list now, we’ll be the last place they repair.”

Simon moved back to the couch.His voice lowered when he said, “And would that be such a bad thing?”

A smile played at the corners of her lips.He was turning into quite the flirt.“Not necessarily.But eventually we’re going to want power.”She leaned over Gus to try to reach the coffee table, but she couldn’t reach it.With regret, she slipped Gus off her lap.“Sorry, buddy.”

Then she reached out and grabbed her phone.This wasn’t her first power outage, so she had the information to contact the power company already stored in her phone.The only problem was that her phone was dead.How could that be?And then she recalled forgetting to put it on the charger the night before.

“My phone is dead.”She put it down on the coffee table.

“No, problem.”Simon said.“You can use mine.”