Page 21 of The Beachside Rental
When she went on to say, “As in right now,” he knew he was having lunch at this Lighthouse Cafe that she loved so much.
And then as though he’d totally lost his self-will, he said, “Okay.Let me just get Gus settled inside.”
“By the way, did you happen to see my sunglasses?”she asked.“I know I had them yesterday.I thought I put them down out here, but I can’t seem to find them today.”
“No.I haven’t seen them.”
“That’s strange.I keep losing things lately.I don’t know where they could be.”
So, he wasn’t the only one misplacing stuff.This meant they had something in common.He didn’t know why it should matter, but it made him like her all the more.
They were going to lunch.
Jenna couldn’t believe that she’d asked Simon to lunch.It was the last thing on her mind when she’d stepped out onto the porch.She was just planning to run to the Seaside Bookshop to pick up her copy of that month’s book club read.They picked books a month in advance so that Melinda, the owner of the bookshop, had time to order them.
All except one person in their group liked to read paperbacks.Lily was the only one who preferred to read on her e-reader.To each their own.
Jenna waited on the porch while Simon got Gus situated inside.It took him a moment.She was beginning to suspect that Gus was not happy about being left home alone.
When Simon stepped out onto the porch, she was surprised to find him wearing a blue ball cap that was pulled low on his face, and he’d donned a pair of dark sunglasses.She struggled not to laugh and quickly lost the challenge.
He frowned at her.“What are you laughing about?”
“What’s with the ball cap and dark sunglasses?”And then she had a silly idea.“Are you an international spy trying to hide your ID?”
His frown deepened.“I could just stay home.”
She stopped laughing.“No.We’re going to lunch.”She wasn’t quite sure why this was so important to her, but she hooked her arm through his.“Let’s go.”
With a sigh, he walked down the steps with her.When he turned toward his cart, she said, “I’m driving.”
His gaze met hers.“I can drive.”
“But you don’t even know where you’re going.”She knew he couldn’t argue that point, because it was true.
There was another sigh from him as he walked with her to her cart.Once they were seated, he seemed to take up most of the front seat.Their arms brushed as she got situated.The connection sent a wave of goosebumps down her arms.
She tried to ignore the reaction as she started the cart.And then they were off.It wasn’t even noon yet so she took the long way to the cafe.
She pointed out Beachcomber Park, The Purple Guppy restaurant, Whippy Dippy—otherwise known to locals as Dips—the local ice cream shop, the firehouse and a number of other places of interest, until they reached their destination.
“And this is the Lighthouse Cafe.”She looked over at the cafe, trying to see it for the first time.
As he stared at the lighthouse, he said, “I honestly wasn’t expecting there to be a little lighthouse connected to the restaurant.Can visitors go in it?”
“No.I’m afraid not.But there is a lighthouse at the southern tip of the island that visitors can climb.You’ll have to visit it.”
He nodded.“I’ll keep it in mind.”He glanced back at the small lighthouse.“Does it work?I mean the light?Does it work at night?”
She nodded.“It does.And if you like the outside this much, wait until you try their food.It’s delicious.”
“I get the feeling this is your favorite restaurant on the island.”
“It is.But I’m not the only one.It’s a good thing we got here before noon, or we might not have gotten a table.”
“Okay then, we better go inside.”He stepped aside to let her go first.
They passed beneath a black wooden sign with the painted image of a red and white lighthouse and the name, Lighthouse Café, scrolled out in white paint.When they reached the door, he stepped around her and opened it for her.It was very sweet of him.She couldn’t remember the last time a guy opened the door for her.
