Page 62 of The Beachside Rental

“I’ve been working on it when I have time.You had a good idea about including a visual component.This way it’s easier for me to explain it to Neil.I can show it to you before dinner.”

“I’d like that.”

So would she.Even though her mind cautioned her to be careful, her heart was already tumbling and falling hard for Simon.

Chapter Eighteen

Thingswerelookingup.

The next morning, Simon couldn’t help but replay the prior evening.After their leisurely stroll along the beach, Jenna cooked them the most delicious kebab meal.He’d tried to help, but she’d insisted that he sit down and rest.

While he’d been sitting there, she’d given him her proposal for the changes to the front of the market.He was impressed with the amount of detail she’d put into the visual presentation.He also liked that she wanted to draw upon the artisans and merchants to fill the display shelves that would create the funnel customers would enter to reach the checkout counters.

And then this morning, Jenna had stopped by with breakfast again.He’d told her she didn’t have to feed him, but she insisted on it.She told him that if she didn’t bring him food then another Bluestar resident would do it—it was the Bluestar way.With that thought in mind, he accepted her plate of pancakes and bacon.

But now he was on the back deck.He was having problems concentrating on his book.It was to the point where he had to leave both his laptop and phone in the house.

He stared at his keyboard writer.The screen was blank and the blinking cursor taunted him.The keyboard writer had the ability to handle two different files.He clicked on the button to bring up his work from the prior day.He read over what he’d written to try to get himself into the story again.

And so, he began to write again.At first, he struggled to find the right words, but the more he typed, the easier it was to find the words.Every now and then, he’d stop to jot down some notes for him to contemplate when he was revising the rough draft.

Gus nosed his hand.It was Gus’s way of letting him know he wanted to go exploring.Simon was starting to trust Gus again.And so, he gave Gus a stern warning not to wander off, and then he’d release him from his lead.Gus raced the stairs that led to the backyard.

When Simon looked up again, he had written almost a thousand words.Jenna was standing in front of him with a bag in one hand, a drink in the other, and a furrowed brow.

“Didn’t you hear me?”she asked.“I knocked, and then I called out to you.”

“Oh.Sorry.I was in the zone.”

She glanced down at his keyboard writer.“How’s the writing going?”

“Good.In fact, real good.Now I have to hope my agent and editor both agree.”

Jenna sent him a reassuring smile.“I’m sure they will.And if you ever need a second set of eyes, I could help you out with that.”

“Thanks.I’ll keep that in mind.”His gaze moved to the food she’d placed on the small table next to his chair.“How much do I owe you?”

She shook her head.“Nothing.”

“I can’t keep accepting your generosity.You have to let me pay you back.”

“You are.”

“How so?”

“We have a date tomorrow night to beat my brother at trivia.You’re my ace in the hole.”

“Aw...I see.So, all of this food is just a bribe.”He sent her a teasing grin.

Her smile lit up her whole face.“Now you’re catching on.I’ve got to go.I’ll see you later.”

“Thanks for the lunch.I appreciate it.”

“No problem.”And then she was gone as quickly as she’d arrived.

He wished she didn’t have to rush back to work.He would have enjoyed them spending a leisurely lunch together.

His gaze moved to Gus, who was looking forlorn since Jenna departed.“I guess it’s just you and me, buddy.”