Page 70 of The Beachside Rental

No matter how much Jenna worked, she couldn’t stop thinking about Simon.Why did she keep picking the wrong guy?

But she wasn’t going to be the bigger person this time and just walk away quietly.She was going to tell Simon exactly what she thought of him.

She grabbed the clipboard and headed for the front of the Lily Pad.She quietly waited while her sister checked out a young woman who had purchased one of the wall-hangings from the consignment section of the shop.Local artists displayed their work at the shop and then split the proceeds with Lily.It helped the Lily Pad as well as the island’s artist community.

After the customer walked away, Jenna approached her sister.She handed over the clipboard.“Everything is done in the back.”

Lily’s eyes widened.“Everything?”

Jenna nodded.“Now I have to go.There’s something I need to do.”

Before Lily had a chance to say anything, Jenna rushed out the door.She practically ran into Agnes Dewey.

Jenna stumbled back a couple of steps.“I’m sorry.I didn’t see you.”

Agnes paused and stared at her for a moment.“So, it’s true.”

“What?”Jenna had absolutely no idea what the woman was talking about.

“The horoscope.It was right.”

“How...how do you know?”

“Simon was spotted in town with a beautiful woman.And I heard he was kissing her too.”Agnes said it as a matter of fact.

For Jenna, it felt like a stab in the heart.But she refused to let on just how much the horoscope coming true had really hurt her.She forced a smile to her lips.“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but Simon and I are just neighbors.Nothing more.”The words felt like shards of glass in her mouth, but she kept going.“But I’m happy he has someone special in his life.”

Agnes’s eyes widened behind her big rimmed glasses.Then her gaze narrowed in on her, as though trying to read her mind or something.“I need to go.”

Jenna was relieved to see Agnes walk away.She didn’t know how much longer she could keep the fake smile on her face.The backs of her eyes burned, but she would not give in to the tears.

Before she’d made it back to her cart, she’d had to smile a few more times to fellow Bluestar residents.After exchanging greetings, they would follow it up with a “Poor dear.”It appeared the gossip chain had made quick work of spreading the news of Simon and his mystery woman.

Ugh!Jenna did not want their pity.She was fine.It wasn’t like she was in love with him or anything.

When she arrived back at the duplex, she found Simon’s cart parked out front.Good.She was getting this over with because she refused to let him get away with flirting with her while having a girlfriend or wife.

She marched up the stairs and then strode to his door.She fisted her hand and gave the door a solid series of knocks.

Gus let out a couple of barks.Dear sweet Gus.She was going to miss spending time with him.Two-timing Simon was lucky to have such a special dog.

The door opened, and Gus rushed out to greet her.It was tough to stay angry when Gus was nosing the back of her hand.She ran her hand over Gus’s head.

“Jenna, come in.”

She peered past him to see if he was alone.Not that it mattered.She was going to have her say whether his girlfriend overheard her or not.She should know the type of man she was involved with.

She didn’t see the woman inside, but that didn’t mean anything.The woman could have been in the kitchen or upstairs.

She turned her attention back to Simon.“That won’t be necessary.This won’t take long.I was so wrong about you.I thought you were one of the good guys, but I guess you had me fooled.”

His brows scrunched together.“Jenna, slow down.I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her gaze narrowed on him.“Don’t go acting all innocent.”With each word uttered, her voice rose.“It’s too late for that.”

Simon glanced around, as though checking to see if she had been overheard, but the beach house was set too far back from the road.However, the neighboring houses were a different story.

“Why don’t you come inside?”