9. Jess
9
Jess
W ow.
This was definitely a step up from my crummy bedsit.
As I stood at the double doors and took in the gorgeous sea views, I felt like I was on holiday.
After Edwin had dropped the bombshell about us needing to live here for three weeks, he’d settled the bill, then left the restaurant. Theo had then handed Candace a fifty-pound tip (probably just to show off) and hotfooted it out of there so fast anyone would think his chair was on fire. But I decided to take it all in my stride.
I’d committed to this challenge. It was in my interest to stay in Sunshine Bay. I’d need the community on my side to make the library a success.
And although the decor in my room was a little dated, it was much better than the place I was renting.
As well as a double bed which had seemed a bit creaky when I’d sat on it earlier, there was a dark wooden desk and matching chair which would be good to work on .
In front of the patio doors was a lovely rocking chair. I imagined pulling the curtains back, opening the doors and sitting in it whilst reading. Then again, considering how difficult it was for me to pick up a book these days, I doubted that would happen.
I exhaled. I couldn’t believe my luck. Not only was I earning decent money, staying here meant I wouldn’t have to travel back and forth, so I’d save money too.
Edwin said he’d deduct the cost of our stay at the B&B from the price the winner paid for the site, so I was basically staying here for free.
Yep. All I could see was advantages. That was why I’d leapt out of bed at the crack of dawn, packed my bags and headed straight here.
The sound of a male’s deep voice jolted me from my thoughts. Seemed like they were coming from the room next door.
No way.
I swallowed hard as I realised it must be Theo.
That couldn’t be good.
I’d just said I could only see advantages to staying in this town. But now a disadvantage had sprung to mind. Theo.
As much as I couldn’t stand him, I couldn’t deny the obvious: Theo was one of the hottest guys I’d ever seen. That square jaw. Those piercing blue eyes. That muscular body…
I’d only met him three times, but I’d already noticed that his presence affected me. Whenever he was around, I found it difficult to concentrate. My brain turned to mush and I couldn’t stop staring.
I didn’t know why I found him so fascinating when the man was clearly an arrogant, stuck-up twat. Seriously. At my age, and after what I’d gone through with my ex, I should know better.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t change the fact that we’d been forced to live and work in the same building for the next three weeks. That was out of my control. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t take steps to minimise the distraction.
It was simple. I just needed to avoid him. Thankfully the walls seemed to be paper thin, which meant I’d know when he was in his room or when he’d left. So I’d make sure that I only left my room when he was definitely still in his. And if he left his room, I’d stay in mine.
I knew it wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was the only one I had right now. He already thought I was out of my depth, so I didn’t want to be a babbling mess around him and confirm it.
I heard the tap go in his bathroom, so he was still in there. Now would be a perfect time to leave. If he’d just arrived, he’d need to unpack and get settled, which meant I had at least half an hour.
Glenda said she’d make me a sandwich and to come down anytime after one, and now it was five to. Perfect timing.
I quickly swiped the key off the table, then slipped out of the room. When I got down to the terrace overlooking the beach, Glenda was already there.
‘Hello, lovely!’ She smiled. ‘Ready for lunch?’
‘Definitely!’ I said. ‘The views here are stunning,’ I said, taking in the sapphire-blue sea. The seagulls cried loudly as they swooped in the sky, and I spotted a little white boat bobbing up on the water in the distance. ‘I should take a picture and send it to my friend.’ It was so nice to have a decent phone again that could actually take photos. Not like the cheap old one I’d had before. I reached in my pocket and realised it wasn’t there. ‘I left it in my room. Back in a sec.’
I climbed the stairs, but as I approached the top and saw Theo standing there, I froze.
His gaze seared my skin.
‘Jessica,’ he said in his deep, gravelly voice.
‘Theo,’ I replied, stepping onto the landing.
He was blocking the path to my room. Just as I moved to the right, so did he. Then I moved to the left as Theo did the same.
Deciding that moving to the centre was best, I shuffled over, but he had the same idea, so when I stepped forward, I collided with his chest.
As my body connected with Theo’s, a jolt of electricity shot through me. His torso was even firmer than I’d imagined, and the heat radiating from him sent goosebumps erupting across my skin.
‘Sorry!’ I quickly stepped back. ‘I-I need to get to my room.’
‘Of course.’ He moved to the side. ‘I’m… I have to get something from my car.’
‘Cool. Okay. Glenda said lunch is ready if you wanted a sandwich?’
No, no, no. I shouldn’t have said that. Avoiding him was the plan, remember?
‘Thanks, but no,’ he replied sharply before heading to the stairs.
‘Suit yourself!’ I snapped back. There I was trying to be nice and he’d acted like a grumpy arsehole. Again .
After I got my phone, I went back downstairs, and of course Theo had to come inside at the exact same moment. This time, I gave him a dirty look. If he wanted to be hostile, two could play that game.
Just as I was about to breeze past him, I heard my name being called.
‘Jessica! Theo! Just the people I wanted to see!’ I glanced up at the door and saw Edwin with a grin across his face.
‘Hi!’ I said enthusiastically.
‘Are you all settled into your new home?’
‘Yes, thank you. I was about to have lunch with Glenda.’
‘Wonderful! And you, Theo? How’s your room?’
‘It’s… the views are quite something,’ he said.
If I found the decor dated, he must hate it.
‘They are indeed. Are you joining Jessica and Glenda for lunch too?’
‘I thought it best not to.’
‘Oh really? Why?’ Edwin’s face fell.
‘We’re competitors and we’re already working and living in the same space, so it’s best if we maintain some distance.’
‘Nonsense!’ Edwin waved his hand in the air dismissively. ‘There’s no such thing as competition in this town. We’re a community . We all work together to create a positive and happy environment. If you two are snarling or avoiding each other, it will make a hostile environment, and that won’t be pleasant for Glenda, her guests or the residents of Sunshine Bay. No, no.’ He shook his head. ‘I must insist that you join Jessica for lunch. ’
The blood drained from Theo’s face. He wasn’t happy with the idea, and the feeling was mutual.
When I’d told him Glenda was making a sandwich, I hadn’t meant I wanted him to sit and eat with us. I thought he’d just take it and leave.
It was bad enough that we had to stay in the same building. I didn’t need to stare at him across a table again too.
And by the sound of that little positive happy environment speech Edwin had just given, he wanted me and Theo to become… friends .
Ugh .
No way.
Hell would freeze over before I spent time with Theo voluntarily.
Once this lunch was over, I’d go straight back to my room and stay as far away from Theo as possible.