Chapter 2

Jake simply went from kneeling before them when assisting with the towels to sitting back on the floor, stunned.

“Why? I mean, what are you doing in--”

He was cut off by Jenna.

“We were in Charlotte for a press thing, and afterward, well, I just wanted to get away for a few days from everyone, so Kylie and I took off for the shore. We, um, kinda’ forgot that a hurricane was coming this way.”

Jenna smiled once again, that million-dollar smile that helped 18-year-old Jenna become a household name as a pop singer.

“You could say that, what is it, Florence,” said Kylie, “well, she wasn’t on our radar in Charlotte.”

That got a little laugh out of all of them.

Then the power suddenly went out. Jake heard a sharp intake of breath and saw Kylie pull Jenna a bit closer.

“It’s okay, the,” and just then the whole-house generator kicked in, with lights going back on throughout the place, “and there you go. We have a generator so we won’t be without power.”

“You were the third house we knocked on, guess we found the right place. So, you are--” asked Kylie and before she could finish, Jake jumped in.

“My apologies for my lack of manners. I’m Jake Bower and this is my place, well, my parent’s house. They’re not home,” he said, then mumbled “naturally”, and then got up.

“We need to get you out of those wet clothes, so...” Jake’s voice trailed off when he saw the two sisters look at each other and smile. “No no, I mean, you’re gonna’ want,” said Jake, starting to backpedal and blush at the same time.

“Jake? It’s fine, we know what you mean. Could we take a shower and then maybe you can find us some other clothes?”

“Sure, absolutely. Hey, you can use my parent’s bathroom and then just help yourself to whatever clothes you find in my Mom’s closet. Or feel free to raid my clothes too if you are looking for t-shirts.”

Jake escorted the two young women through the house, hearing whispers of “damn” and “nice place” despite the howl of the wind and the humming of the generator. Jake pointed out his room on the way to his parent’s room.

His parent’s bathroom was lavish with a large, walk-in shower with multiple shower heads, a huge sunken tub for two, and other amenities.

“I’ll lock the bedroom door on the way out,” said Jake, turning and leaving as the girls started shedding the towels.

Jake went back to the living room and plopped down on the sofa, pressing the play button and once again resuming a taped episode of Homeland. But his mind, well, it was elsewhere.

Jenna Wilsanne? Sure, Kaela was hot and the girl of his dreams, but, that’s because Kaela was local and even though she was outta’ his league, she was still in the same, well, league.