Page 21 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

“You should feel lucky to be in my presence,” she jokes with a subtle smile. Actually, it’s a cute smile. Jenna Lewis has a very cute smile.

And somewhere inside my stomach, butterflies simmer. I might be excited for this weekend after all.

* * *

“The destination is on your right,” the GPS reports fifty-six minutes later.

I follow alongside the brick wall covered in vines until there’s a driveway with a gate. Quinton already gave me the code, and after I punch it into the keypad, the bars slowly swing open.

Jenna cranes her neck, looking down the drive for a glimpse of our weekend getaway. I assume the beach house is nice. You don’t offer up your home unless you’re pretty sure people will like it.

The driveway bends, and a two-story white stucco house comes into view. Palm trees of different heights stand in front with pots of pink and red flowers next to the wood double doors.

I whistle as I park my Jeep in front of the garage. “Not too shabby.”

Jenna doesn’t answer; she just looks around. Her gaze stops on two electric bikes leaning against the side of the house.

“Maybe we can go for a ride,” I offer. Perfect activity if you don’t want to talk to the other person. She can peddle in front, and I can follow behind single file. Seems like a great way to spend the afternoon. Not that I don’t want to talk to Jenna. I would like to, but I don’t know where to begin. We’ve already spent so much time together with no talking. How do you start being BFFs all of a sudden? Besides, I have nothing worthwhile to say to her. She’s classier than me. We’re not on the same level.

Her eyes light a little as she looks over the bikes. “I’ve always wanted to try an electric bike.”

“Me too.” Jenna’s gaze flicks to me as if she can’t believe we have something in common. Even she knows we’re not entirely on the same level. “Let’s get settled inside, and then we can go for a ride.”

Reaching into the back of the Jeep, I pull out both of our bags and carry them to the front door, setting them down to punch in the key code. A battery-operated lock unlatches, giving us access to the house.

Jenna steps inside first, spinning in a full circle, taking in the massive beach-front windows and vaulted ceilings. Her eyes trail up the metal stairs to the second floor before she walks to them, taking one at a time.

I follow her with the bags. “You can have first dibs on the bedrooms. I’m a big believer in ladies’ first and that kind of stuff.”

“What a gentleman.” She glances over her shoulder at me with another one of her cute smiles.

“I’m glad you noticed.”

At the top of the stairs, she peeks her head into what appears to be the master bedroom. A king-sized bed faces a wall of windows that lead out to a large balcony facing the ocean. “I’ll take this room.” She reaches for her bag. “Thanks.” We make the luggage pass off with minimal touching and eye contact.

“I’ll just be next door.” I keep walking down the hall but stop before escaping into my room. “So, bike ride?”

“Sure, let me just unpack and change my clothes, and I’ll meet you downstairs in twenty minutes.”

“It’s a date.”

Jenna’s gaze is pointed. “It’s not a date.”

My shoulder presses against the doorframe. “What should we call it, then?”

“How about a bike ride?”

My expression turns sultry. “An electric bike ride.”

“Nope, just a bike ride.” I sense her annoyance as her bedroom door clicks shut.

What do I need to do to get this woman to like me?

I don’t know, but I’m not giving up that easily.

CHAPTER FIVE

JENNA

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