Page 47 of The Beachside Rental

His jaw went slack, as though he were trying to decide if she was being serious or not.

“It’s okay,” she said.“Keep going.”

“Anyway the readers were in an uproar about the hero being killed off so when they found out what my name was, it didn’t take them long to figure out where I lived.I’ve had death threats.My house was vandalized a few times.It was so bad that I had to move.They found out where I moved to.So, I moved again, but by then I had writer’s block.I honestly wasn’t sure that I could write another book.Then my agent suggested I give Bluestar Island a try.”

“Wow.I don’t know what to say.I can’t believe people were that cruel to you.I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks.I was surprised myself, but I would have ended the series the same way, even if I had known their reaction.It made sense for the story arc.”

“This is why you wear the hat and sunglasses when we go anywhere.”Things were starting to make sense to her.

He nodded.“I like the island.I don’t want to have to move again.”

“Does this mean you’re considering extending your lease?”

A smile played at the corner of his lips.“I’ve been thinking about it.”

She smiled back at him.“I like the sound of it.Shall we play another hand?”

“Yes.I have to win.I have questions.”

She reached for the cards.“Thanks for trusting me with all of that.But you know that as soon as the power is restored, and I have internet access, that I’m going to download your books, even though I know how the series ends.”

“Trust me.There are a lot of twists and turns before you get to the end.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Even though it isn’t your type of book?”

She dealt out the cards.“Yep.I told you that I’ve never known an author before.”

The storm had quieted down outside.Gus took the opportunity to move to the rug on the floor.He yawned and then stretched out.Every now and then she could hear a soft snore.

When Simon won the next hand, she heard him cheer “yeah” under his breath.“Okay.It’s my turn to ask you a question.”

“Should I be worried?”she teased.

“Well, I told you about my past.Now I get to learn about yours.”

She fell back against the couch and waited for him to come up with his question.She wouldn’t say it to him, but she loved this evening.It was like question by question she was peeling back the layers of his life and getting to know the real man behind his charming smile.And she was falling for him.Hard.And fast.

“Why did you and your last boyfriend break up?”

She sat up straight.Maybe she should have anticipated that question, but she hadn’t.She’d been too busy basking in the wonderfulness of this evening.

“Okay.Um...His name is Frank.I met him at the market.I was working one of the checkout lines when he was on his way out.When he first flirted with me, I didn’t think much about it.Not bragging but he wasn’t the first to do it.”

“I can definitely believe that.”When she sent him a puzzled look, he elaborated.“That he wasn’t the first man to flirt with you.”

Heat swirled in her chest and leached upward until it settled in her cheeks.The only man she wanted to flirt with her was sitting on the couch next to her.Simon was sweet and fun.He was famous.Wow!And yet he was down to earth.He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man and more.

“Jenna?Jenna, is everything all right?”

“Uh yes.”What was she talking about before her mind took a total detour?It took her a moment to remember that she was telling him about her ex.“Anyway, that’s the way it started.But Frank was nothing but persistent.He came back to the island the next weekend and talked me into having lunch with him.It’s how it ended that is most memorable for me.”

“Why is that?”

“It was a Friday evening, and we were supposed to meet to go to dinner in Boston.I arrived at his office a little early.He works on the mainland.And I found him with his co-worker in his arms.”