Page 29 of The Sandover Beach Billionaire

“It’s adorable! Not as small as I thought it would be.” Jenna followed Jackson inside.

It was small enough that Jackson could smell the sunscreen on Jenna’s skin, something fruity and tropical. Her hair brushed against his bicep as she moved next to him. “Shut the outer door, then pull that sliding door shut, and we’ll be in business.”

Jenna pulled both the doors closed behind her and the elevator hummed loudly to life again. She grinned over at him, still looking like she was on an amusement park ride. “Wow, loud.”

“Loud and slow. This is only like the third time I’ve ridden in this thing.”

“I’m sure for rental homes this would be a great feature. People carrying in all their coolers and groceries up to the top floor.”

“Kids taking joy rides is more like it. My elevator guy said that kids are always breaking these in the rental houses.”

“I bet. Are we even on the second floor yet?”

Jackson realized too late what was about to happen as Jenna stretched her hand toward the sliding partition door. Time slowed. Jackson knew before she did it that Jenna was going to pull it open. He reached to stop her, but he was a step too far away.

“Don’t—”

She pulled open the door. The elevator lurched to a stop.

Jenna pitched forward and Jackson grabbed her arm to steady her. They stared at each other, eyes wide. As aware as he was of the stuck elevator, he was more aware of his hand on her arm.

“Did I just break your elevator? Are we stuck? Tell me we aren’t stuck. Please, Jackson.”

Her voice was hardly more than a whisper, already edged with desperation. He could already see sweat beading on her forehead. He hadn’t noticed that it was hot in here, but it really was. Hotter now that they weren’t moving. Or was he imagining that? All these things seemed tiny compared to the way it felt when his name fell from her lips in a plea.

He had expected her to pull away from his grip on her arm, but if anything, she leaned closer to him. He loosened his grip and slid his hand around to her back. “I’ve got you. I’m right here.” Jenna nodded, and Jackson began tracing circles on her back with a flat palm. “Stay with me and just breathe, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Jackson was completely unsure of this. He examined the panel of buttons on the wall. “Close the door again.”

Jenna stepped away slightly and his hand fell from her back. She slammed the accordion door closed and Jackson waited a few seconds, then pushed the button for the first floor. Nothing. Jenna shuddered and leaned into him. Having her stand so close to him was something he wanted to welcome, but he could feel her starting to shake from terror. He needed to get her out of here before she totally lost it.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in more closely, then studied the panel on the wall. It had a button for each floor, a yellow button that said Reset, and a switch that said On/Off. He had honestly only used this half a dozen times and tried to think about what the man who installed it had said about these. Or maybe he hadn’t said anything at all. Because people typically don’t open elevator doors while it’s in motion. Later, when she wasn’t shaking and afraid, Jackson hoped he could tease her and they could laugh about this.

“Let’s try this bad boy,” he said, and flicked the On/Off switch. Two times, three. Nothing. He pushed the yellow Reset button quickly, then held it down for a few seconds. No response. He pushed the button for the first floor. The elevator did not move and the motor stayed quiet. “I don’t actually know why these buttons are here, as none of them actually seem to do anything.”

“I am so sorry,” Jenna said. Her voice was now edged with panic, her words tumbling out like she couldn’t control them. “I don’t know what I was thinking—I wasn’t thinking. I just wondered where we were and then I was opening the door. I’ve done nothing but mess up your life since I came back this week. I don’t know how you’re still talking to me after everything. I’ll pay to fix it. Whatever it takes. Just—I need to get out of here.”

Her breathing was rapid and shallow. He felt the fear coming off her in waves. Jackson had never experienced a panic attack, but if he had to guess, that’s what this felt like. He needed to help her calm down.

With a gentle tug, Jackson pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Her head tucked neatly underneath his chin and she sighed against his chest.

“Hey,” he said softly. “I know I’m the last person you probably want to be stuck in here with. But I’m right here and I’ve got you. We’re safe and we will get out of here, okay?”

She nodded against him and her arms linked around his back. If only this were happening in some other moment, one where she really wanted to be near him rather than being forced into closeness because of the situation.

“Jackson? You’re not the last person I’d want to be stuck with.”

With her cheek pressed into his chest, could she feel the way his heart sped up? “Oh?”

“More like the second to last.”

Jackson groaned and then a laugh rumbled through him. He knew she could feel that because she began giggling and the vibrations thrummed against his torso. “I guess I’ll take it.”

“Jenna? Jackson? Are you guys okay?” Rachel’s voice drifted up to them. It sounded like she was down on the first floor, but it was hard to tell.

“I’m going to let you go for just a second. But I’m still here.” Jackson lifted his arms from around her shoulders, but Jenna made a small sound and clung to him. He chuckled. “Okay, that works too.”

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