Page 31 of The Beachside Rental

She shrugged.“I don’t know.”

As they stepped up to the door of the pub, other people joined them, and their conversation ceased.He had to admit he was intrigued.Why didn’t her brother take her seriously?And why did she care so much?

He didn’t have any siblings, so he didn’t have any insight into those sorts of relationships.Something told him this was going to be an interesting evening, in more than one way.

Her stomach was a knot.

Jenna introduced Simon to a bunch of locals.Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.But she’d noticed all of the side-eyed looks she’d been getting by showing up with Simon.

Everyone was jumping to the wrong conclusion.Why did this town have to always make assumptions?Right now, she was certain that text messages were flying through town, and they were saying she was involved with Simon.

Now she would have the task of telling everyone that she was just friends with Simon.She had a feeling it was going to be a waste of her time.They weren’t going to believe her.

As they stepped farther into the pub, she spotted her brother.When he spotted her, he started over in her direction.

“Hey, Jen, what are you doing here?”Neil asked.

“The same as you.I’m here for the wings and some trivia.”

Neil arched a brow.“And what do you know about eighties rock?”

She was ready for him.“Probably about as much as you, considering neither of us were alive during that period.”

Her brother stared directly at her with a serious look on his face, and then he let out a laugh.“Who knew my little sister could talk smack?”

She smiled.At last, she got a little bit of respect out of her brother.Maybe she’d been reading him wrong.Maybe he was just feeling the stress of taking on all of the responsibility for the market now that their father wasn’t there to handle everything.

Neil’s gaze moved past her to Simon.“And who is this?”

“Neil, I’d like you to meet Simon.He’s my new neighbor.And, Simon, I’d like you to meet my big brother.”

“And reigning trivia champ.”Neil held his hand out to Simon.As they shook, he said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Thanks.It’s good to meet you too.Your sister has been going out of her way to familiarize me with the island.”

Neil nodded.“She knows everything about the island.So, she’s a good person to have your back.Are you planning to play trivia?”

Simon nodded.“We’re going to give it a try.”

Jenna spoke up.“And who’s your partner, since Tony is out of town?”

Neil nodded toward a table.“I talked Ethan Walker into joining me.”

“Is he any good with trivia?”she asked.

“We’re about to find out,” Neil said.“I better get going so we can eat before the game begins.”

They wished each other good luck before going in opposite directions.Ethan was an unknown player.If he was half as good as her brother, she would be in trouble.

Jenna had barely eaten any of the wings, unlike Simon, who was devouring them like he hadn’t eaten in a month.Apparently writing worked up a big appetite.

And then she recalled what they were talking about in the parking lot.She’d asked him what sort of books he writes.She wondered if it was anything that she would be interested in reading.

But the game was about to begin, so there was no time to ask him for details.They would have to wait until later.

She glanced across the table where Simon was staring at his phone with a frown on his face.“Something wrong?”

He lowered his phone to the table.“Nothing important.”