Page 107 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

8. I think you’re more beautiful than any woman I’ve ever seen. And it’s not because you’re a model or because you look exceptionally good with very little clothes on. I think you’re beautiful because you hold so much goodness in your smile and the way you treat other people.

9. I can’t say for certain, but I’m pretty confident you like the way I smell. I’ve caught you sniffing me about a hundred times while filming.

10. I’ve seen your most embarrassing moment, so if you stay with me, you won’t have to relive it just to tell some other guy.

11. I love the way you greet people. Did you know you greet people differently than everyone else? Well, you do, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

12. I’m in awe of your talent when it comes to filmmaking and think that you should try your hand at directing.

13. I have the most exquisite chest, arms, and six-pack you’ve ever seen. An arrogant, bad-boy persona that you find wildly attractive. And I’m a good kisser. I know we’ve been through all of this already, but since this is a list of my qualifications, I thought it was important to mention those things again.

14. I adore you. Like, really adore every little thing you do. Your smile, your your laugh, the way you brush your hair back from your face…I adore it all and I promise to let everyone else know how I feel about you.

15. We were slow, but we found our chemistry. No, we found explosive chemistry, and I think that deserves a spot on this list. I dare you to find another man that you have more chemistry with than me. I mean, I’m not actually daring you. Really, I just want you to choose me.

16. Dave. I’ve never even met Dave, but the fact that I was enormously jealous of him and disappointed when I thought he was your boyfriend and not just some good guy who helps you do charity work tells me my heart one hundred percent belongs to you.

17. I don’t recognize you when you wear big sunglasses, so I’ll keep you humble, which maybe you need since everyone else seems to recognize you everywhere we go.

18. I’ll never take you for granted. I’ll cherish you every day, walk in the shadows so you can shine, open your door for you, hold your hand, tell you every day how special you are, listen when you talk, and make you the center of my entire world.

19. I’ll be the man that you’ve always hoped for and give you the happy ending you deserve.

20. But my best qualification: I love you. More than I love myself or anything else. You come first.

I swipe a tear off my cheek and look up at Cody, expecting to see anxiety over me reading his words, but instead, I see devotion and so much love behind his blue eyes.

“There are twenty qualifications,” I say, holding up the paper.

“It’s kind of an important number for us.”

“This is a pretty convincing list of qualifications.”

“I think so. Put it up against any other man, and I don’t think he’d stand a chance.”

“When it comes to you, Cody, I didn’t stand a chance. My heart was always going to be yours no matter how hard I fought it. But I don’t want to fight it anymore. I want to believe that you can be everything you say, and I know you can, because you’ve shown me who you really are. You’ve shown me what it’s like to be respected, and cherished, and wanted for more than just my body. I’ve never had that before, but I have it with you.”

He leans forward, lowering his voice. “Just as a sidenote, I also really enjoy your body, but it’s not the main thing. I like all the other stuff about you more. But I just wanted to be honest.” He takes a step back, like he’s giving me the space I need to finish my speech.

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Relationships aren’t just about the emotional connection. I also want you to want me physically.”

“Trust me. There’s no problem there. Not a single one. Add it to my list of qualifications.”

“Okay, I will.” I smile, loving the way his searing gaze makes me blush. “The truth is, I always hoped that we’d make it, that the fake relationship would turn into a real one.”

“You did?”

“Against my better judgment, but yes, that’s what I hoped. And now, here you are, offering me everything I ever wanted. And the best part is, I feel the same way. I love you too.”

He smiles, pressing his hand against his heart—something I’ve seen him do many times. But tonight, in the glow of my front porch light, Cody Banner has never looked more handsome. “I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me before and really meant it.”

“I mean it.” I wrap him in a hug. “Cody, I love you.”

His nose buries into my neck as his hold around my body tightens. We stand there for a minute, wrapped in each other’s arms, letting our broken hearts melt away into something more beautiful.

I pull back, gazing into his eyes. “You once told me that everyone leaves you because you don’t add value. That’s wrong. You add value in the quiet way you support people and how you build others up. You’ve taken my broken heart and made me whole. You’re invaluable to me.” His eyes water over in the most tender way. “I won’t leave you, or make you a pawn in a game, or anything like what your parents did. Together we’ll fight to make this relationship last.”

“I’m in if you’re in,” Cody says, but his words get lost as his lips press to mine.

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