Page 33 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

Tawny: Are you sure you didn’t leave out any details?

Jenna: I guess I left out the part where he gave me his t-shirt to help cover me up.

Tawny: You came home pantless, and he came home shirtless. I want to know what happened after you both were half-naked.

Jenna: Oh, my gosh! NOTHING HAPPENED.

Tawny: That’s really a shame. Sounds like a wasted opportunity between two people who are trying to create chemistry.

I roll my eyes as I click the link to the article again and read through the words slowly. Cody’s reputation as a playboy is the clear message of the story. If I had come across the article on my own, I would've believed every single implication, but since I lived this moment in real life, I’m very aware of the inaccuracies.

The corner of my mouth lifts. Cody took his shirt off in public so that I didn’t have to walk around with my butt exposed, and because of it, his reputation took a hit. Talk about taking one for the team in a very sweet way.

But just because he gave me the shirt off his back—literally—doesn’t mean I’m charmed by him. Even he admitted that he’s only interested in being a bachelor for the rest of his life. If that’s not the definition of a true playboy, then I don’t know what is. And I’m done being the most recent flavor of the month for men like that.

I’m looking for longevity, marriage, children, grandchildren, and the entire happily-ever-after package. Cody Banner is definitely not a guy headed there.

Another text appears at the top of my screen, causing me to gasp…again. If anyone else were here, they’d think my lung was punctured with all this gasping for air, but I can’t help it. It’s like my thoughts summoned Cody Banner.

Unknown Number: Hey, Jenna. This is Cody.

Note to my beating heart: you are a traitor. Where’s the heart warden when I need him?

I switch back to Tawny’s message.

Jenna: You’re not going to believe it. Cody just texted me.

Tawny: Wait. Aren’t you with him at Quinton’s beach house?

Jenna: Yes, but I’m in my bedroom, and he’s in his.

Tawny: What did he say? Is he inviting you to join him?

Jenna: No! Just ‘hey’ and that it was him. Wait. Another text came through. Let me read it.

I swipe to his thread.

Unknown Number: I know it’s after 10 p.m., and that’s your cutoff, but I can’t sleep. I thought about looking over the script to prepare for tomorrow, but I didn’t bring mine. Do you have a copy I can borrow?

I take a screenshot of his text and send it to Tawny.

Tawny: Ugh! Are you two working? No wonder you guys have no chemistry. You’re the most boring sexy couple I’ve ever seen.

Jenna: We’re reviewing our scenes to see how we can add physical touch to them. He wants to get to know me physically.

Tawny: Now that’s what I want to hear. You should’ve led with that.

Another text from Cody pops up, and I switch over.

Unknown Number: Maybe you’re already asleep. If you get this when you wake up, no worries.

My fingers quickly slide over my keyboard. For some reason, I don’t want the conversation to end with him just thinking I’m asleep.

Jenna: I’m awake.

Jenna: I have a copy of the script you can borrow.

Unknown Number: Only if you’re not using it.

---