Page 29 of The Romance Library

‘Competitors?’ She waved her hand dismissively. ‘No such thing in this town. It’s just having a sandwich out on the terrace. It’s harmless.’

‘Thanks, but I’ll pass.’

Being in the same building with just a thin wall dividing us was bad enough. I didn’t need to start complicating things by eating together. That would muddy the waters, and I had to be focused.

‘Well, if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be.’ She approached the door.

I nodded, knowing that I absolutely would not be changing my mind.

9

Jess

Wow.

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.

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