Page 101 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

Dallas’s brows hike. “You’re talking about the one where you’d play the part of the single dad who falls in love with his son’s second-grade teacher?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“Out of all the scripts I gave you, that’s the role you want to go for?” I don’t know why Dallas looks so surprised. He’s the one that wanted me to start portraying more mature characters.

“Yeah, the script was funny and emotional. I liked the heart and the message behind it.” I take a sip of my water.

“Okay, then. We’ll go for the single-dad role.” Dallas makes a note on his phone before looking back up at me. “Last thing, Tawny is going to release a statement on Friday that you and Jenna decided to part ways—a mutual, amicable decision.”

Water spits out of my mouth with so much force it showers Dallas.

“What?” I try helping him dry off with my napkin. “Why would she do that?”

His lips push into a frown as he wipes his shirt with his own napkin. “I know. I don’t love it either, but Jenna’s camp is firm on this.”

“But why?”

“They say the fake relationship ran its course, and since the terms of the contract have been met, there’s nothing I can do.”

The relationship did not run its course. We’re on mile two, with a full marathon ahead. Right now is like a bathroom break before we get things moving again.

“But I think we can still capitalize on your connection to Jenna. I’ll throw out a few rumors that you’re still together in a week or two. Maybe leak some pictures from Malibu that we didn’t use. You know, the typical stuff to keep the momentum going for us.”

“You said Jenna’s camp is firm on this?”

“Yes, but like I said, we’ll make it work.” Dallas studies me for a second. “Why do you look like you just got hit by a truck? I thought you’d be happy about this.”

I lean my elbows on the table, resting my head against my palms. “I don’t want to break up with Jenna. I like her.”

“She’s very nice, but these showmances usually fizzle out, and you can remain friends.”

“No, I like her…more than a friend.”

“Like, for real?”

I nod my head up and down.

“Wait. You and Jenna. For real?”

I lift my head, giving him a pointed look. “Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Because you’re Cody Banner.” He gestures to me. “You hired me to fix your playboy reputation, because your past relationships all had a shelf life of three weeks, so I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around this whole thing.”

“Maybe I don’t want to do that anymore. Maybe it’s finally time to grow up.”

“Do you love her?”

I look away, zeroing in on a waiter across the restaurant.

“Oh, boy.” Dallas sits back in his chair with a giant smile. “You love her.”

“I never said that.”

“Then what, Cody? What do you want with her?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to figure that out.”

“Jenna Lewis is a sweet girl. She’s not like the other women you’ve been rumored with. You don’t toy around with a woman like her. She’s the kind you settle down with.”

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