Page 68 of The Beachside Rental

She climbed into her golf cart and set off for the Lily Pad.It was the only craft shop on the island.Jenna couldn’t help but wonder now that her sister’s art career was starting to take off how much longer Lily would keep the shop open.But something told Jenna that Lily didn’t have an answer because selling her paintings was still new to her.

Jenna found a parking spot near the shop.She kept her head down as she made her way along the busy sidewalk.She just wasn’t up for making friendly chit-chat—not when she was hurting so much on the inside.

When she reached the Lily Pad, she was surprised to see it was open for business, even though Lily was doing inventory.She pushed the door open, and the little brass bell above the door jingled.

“Coming,” Lily called from the back room.A moment later, Lily appeared.“Oh, it’s you.”

“Why does it sound like you aren’t happy to see me?”

Lily shook her head.“It’s not that.I just didn’t think you were serious about doing inventory.Isn’t this supposed to be your day off?”

Jenna shrugged.“Maybe I just wanted to spend time with my sister.”

“Uh-huh.”Lily arched a brow.“I’m not buying it.So, what’s going on?”

Lily glanced around to see if there was anyone in the shop.

“Don’t worry,” Lily said.“We’re alone.Now spill it.”

Jenna sighed.Then she told her sister about how she’d grown close to Simon.The more she talked about him, the more she realized just how real her feelings were for him.It made his betrayal hurt all the more.

And then with great reluctance she admitted to what she’d witnessed the day before between Simon and the beautiful blonde.The scene was stuck in her mind, and the image was as clear to her in that moment as it had been when it happened right in front of her.

Her eyes misted over with unshed tears.She blinked repeatedly.She’d already shed enough tears over him.

“I can’t believe he did that to you.”Lily walked over to her and threw her arms around her.“I’m sorry.He’s such a jerk.”

Jenna hugged her sister back before she pulled away.“I don’t want to waste any more time talking about him.How was your trip?”

“Fascinating.”Lily glowed as she recounted her time in New York City.

Jenna was so happy for her sister.She watched as her sister’s eyes lit up when she told her that two of the three paintings she’d had on display at a gallery showing had sold.

Jenna gave her a hug.“I’m so happy for you.But I’m not surprised.You’re so talented.”

The color flooded Lily’s cheeks.“I don’t know about that.”

“Stop being modest.I’m your sister.I’ve seen your work and I know you’re gifted.”Before her sister could respond, Jenna said, “Don’t you have some work for me to do?”

“Uh.”Lily looked caught off-guard by the sudden change of subject.“As a matter of fact, I do.Right this way.”Lily led her to the shop’s back room.“I thought you might want work back here, away from the customers.You know, so you don’t have to deal with any of the gossips.”

Jenna nodded.“Good idea.Thank you.”

Lily handed her a pen and a clipboard and gave her a brief rundown of what she needed to do.It seemed straightforward to Jenna so she got to work.

Every time Simon slipped into her thoughts, she worked faster.Counting items really helped to focus her thoughts away from her broken heart.

His anger had been brewing all night.

Simon analyzed the informationThe Gossiperhad reported and realized Gwen wouldn’t have had the photos from the hospital.But Jenna could have taken the photos when he wasn’t paying attention.The thought weighed heavy on him.

He couldn’t believe Jenna had betrayed him in the worst way.The fact that he’d previously told Jenna how much his ex had hurt him when she’d sold him out to the tabloids and then to have Jenna turn around and do the exact same thing, it was...

Well, it just wasn’t right.And he wasn’t going to stand for it.He hadn’t gotten anything done that morning, except for doom scrolling on his phone, waiting for another devastating headline about his life or his books.To his relief, there wasn’t anything new.Did that mean they’d run out of things to print about him?He could only hope so.

Still, he couldn’t just leave things like this.He was going to confront Jenna and let her know that this wasn’t all right.And then he was going to demand his flash drive back.Even though he would toss out that beginning to the book and have to come up with something new, something no one else had read—he still wanted his words back.She had no right to them.

The throbbing pain in his arm distracted him from his anger.He looked down at the white gauze pad covering his stitches.He could see angry red skin sticking out from the edge of the pad.