Page 27 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

“Yeah, I’m starving. Thanks.” I almost smile, thinking about how difficult it probably was for her to do something nice for me. Instead of sitting, I walk to the kitchen. “What are you drinking?”

She lifts a metal water bottle. “I’m all set.”

The refrigerator has little to offer, so I fill a glass of ice water.

“Did you get the bike back okay?”

“I did.” I sit down on the other end of the couch, glancing over the food. “You’ll be happy to know it isn’t broken. I used some of Quinton’s tools and got the rest of your pants out of the wheel. I threw the remains in the garbage, but I can easily pull them out if you still want them.”

She shakes her head. “I never want to see those pants again.”

Settling on a Thai curry, I lean back into the cushion. “I liked the pants. I just liked them better when they were off you.”

Jenna’s leg kicks out like a ninja, shoving the side of my thigh with her foot. “I thought you weren’t going to joke about this.”

“I’m not joking.” I grab her bare ankle, stopping her kicks. “I did like them better off of you.”

She pulls her leg back out of my touch. “I’m never riding a bike again.”

“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”

“It was.” She chooses a carton of fried rice and relaxes in her spot. “Thank you for helping me. You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it.”

“Do you really think I would’ve left you stuck to the bike?”

“I haven't always been the most cordial person to work with, so I wouldn't blame you for leaving me to fend for myself. But you were cool about it, even giving me your shirt. I just didn’t expect that, you know?”

So basically, she thought I’d make fun of her and then leave her alone to die. Jenna’s opinion of me is worse than I thought. We eat in silence for a solid two minutes because what do you talk about with a person who thinks so little of you? Besides, even if she thought I had some redeeming qualities, we have nothing in common to help strike up a conversation.

She must feel it too, because she blurts, “I thought we could play twenty questions while we eat.” My chewing pauses, and I look back at her. “You know, to get to know each other a little more in case Quinton quizzes us or something stupid like that.”

I swallow, nodding a little too emphatically. “Sure. If you want.”

That reaction causes Jenna to doubt herself. “Never mind. It’s a stupid idea.”

“No, it’s not stupid. Quinton probably will quiz us when we get back.”

Her mouth moves into a hesitant smile. “So you want to?”

I mean, do I want to answer personal questions about myself? No, I do not. But I also don’t want to make Jenna feel bad or for news to get back to Quinton that I wasn’t trying this weekend.

“Yeah, let’s do it.” I’m not sure what the appropriate amount of enthusiasm is for a grown man in this type of situation, but I’m pretty sure I missed the mark by a long shot. “Do we just start with the basics? Like, what’s your favorite color?”

She grabs her phone off the coffee table and swipes through a few screens. “I already looked up some questions online.”

“Oh, okay.” I guess we really are doing this.

Her body straightens as she reads off the first question. “What’s your favorite part of the day and why?”

“Dusk.”

She blinks at me. “Dusk?”

“It’s peaceful. What’s yours?”

“Sunrise.” She smiles. “Because it’s peaceful.”

“Dusk is more peaceful.”

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