9. Chapter Nine #3
“Oh. You’re right. Why didn’t I even think of it? Without Dad around, she’s going to need some help getting the place secure.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll have Caleb and Darby get on it.”
“I can help too,” Jenna said.
“I’ll let them know. Although, you’ll be busy at the market.”
That was right. She forgot that she was working the early shift. “I can help after work.”
Neil turned to Simon. “You should come to dinner too.”
Simon’s brows rose high on his forehead. “Thanks. Uh...but I don’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t be,” Neil stated flatly. “People are always bringing someone to dinner. Aren’t they Jenna?”
It was one thing to take Simon to lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe. After all, it was part of her showing him around town. No big deal.
And tonight, she’d invited him to get out and meet some of the island’s residents so he would start to feel at home. It appeared to have gone well, and Simon had made some new friends.
But taking Simon to her parents’ house to meet her family, that, um... It felt too personal—like something someone would do if they were seriously dating someone. And they weren’t dating.
Although, she did clearly recall them bandying that word around when they’d been making plans for this evening. But neither of them thought it was a real date. Did they?
However, when she noticed her brother giving her an expectant look, she swallowed hard. “Sure. My mother would love to have you.”
“I don’t know,” Simon hedged.
Neil was already on his phone. His fingers moved rapidly over the screen as he typed out a quick message.
“There.” He pressed Send. “I let our mother know that you’re bringing a guest to dinner.
And don’t forget to do some prep for the storm,” he said in his fatherly voice that he now used all too frequently at the market.
“I know they said it wouldn’t be severe, but you live at the beach now.
You’re going to feel it more than most of us who live in town. ”
She wanted to give him a sarcastic: yes, Dad, but she couldn’t do it. The thought of her father had the words dying on her tongue because in that moment, she missed him very much. Her father would drive to her place and make sure she had everything secured for the approaching storm. She missed him.
It felt like there was a lump in her throat when she said, “I will.”
Neil’s gaze moved to Simon. “You too.”
Simon nodded. “And don’t worry. I’ll give Jenna a hand if she needs it.”
“I won’t need help,” she said a little too quickly. She just didn’t want them to think she couldn’t take care of herself.
“Okay. See you guys tomorrow.” And then Neil was out the door.
She looked over at Simon. “Are you ready to go?”
He nodded. “I’m sure Gus needs to be let out.”
They made their way back to his cart. Most of the parking lot was now empty as everyone headed home because a lot of people had work the next day.
But with the looming storm in the forecast, she wasn’t sure how many tourists they could expect from the mainland.
In this instance, less tourists might be best. The locals needed time to secure their homes and not worry about tending to the tourists.
Simon only made one wrong turn on the way home. He was definitely learning his way around Bluestar. Not that it was hard, considering it was a small town.
They had just stepped onto their communal front porch when they turned to each other. If this was a real “date,” this was the point where he would take her into his arms and kiss her goodnight. So, when he took a step toward her, the breath hitched in the back of her throat.
And then his head dipped. He really was going to kiss her. Her heart pounded, echoing in her ears.
Her eyes fluttered shut as she anticipated the feel of his lips upon hers. She was surprised by how much she wanted this to happen. And then she felt his lips.
Ever so lightly his mouth brushed across her cheek.
Wait. What? He was supposed to have kissed her lips not her cheek.
When her eyes sprang open, he was standing there, smiling at her. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I really enjoyed it.”
She meant to say something, but instead, she stood there tongue-tied while he walked away.
It wasn’t until he was inside his place that she realized she hadn’t even told him that he didn’t have to come to her family dinner. She wanted to apologize for the way her brother pushed the subject of him attending. She was willing to make up an excuse for why he couldn’t attend.
But she hadn’t said any of that. Instead, she was focused on the disappointment of him kissing her cheek. She knew it shouldn’t matter to her—in fact, she should be relieved—but it did matter to her.
Was he playing games with her? One minute he’s into her, and the next he’s not.
A strong gust of wind stirred her from her thoughts. Maybe she was just overthinking this whole thing. Maybe what she really needed was some sleep.
She turned and went into her half of the duplex. Sleep definitely sounded good. But she already knew when she closed her eyes that she’d be dreaming about him.