Page 36 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

Where was my freaking heart warden on that one?

CHAPTER EIGHT

CODY

Julio packed cologne.

The good kind that makes me effortlessly smell like a mixture of soap and deodorant, so it seems like I’m not wearing cologne—which is what I’m going for. The last thing I need is for Jenna Lewis to think I put cologne on for her, even though I did, but I don’t want her to know that. I just want her to think I naturally smell this good. It’s hard to follow, even for me.

My fingers run over my cheeks, patting my beard down as I glance at myself in the living room mirror.

I look good.

We’ve already established I smell good.

My breath is the last thing to check.

I cup my hands in front of my mouth, pushing out a puff of air and quickly sniffing it. Minty fresh.

Not that Jenna and I are going to kiss.

I mean, we could kiss.

We’re getting to know each other physically today, so I suppose a kiss is on the table.

The thought drop-kicks my stomach, sending it flying through the air.

If Quinton had told me yesterday morning that I’d have to kiss Jenna this weekend, I would’ve balked at the idea. But something shifted yesterday. Could’ve been the disastrous bike ride, the twenty questions, or her accidental text last night. Who knows?

Okay, I know.

It was the accidental text.

I’ve only read through it a hundred times. I even took the liberty of screen-shotting it so she couldn’t see the little dots dance on her end. I’m smart like that.

Never underestimate the power of a woman complimenting your physique. Those accidental five sentences give me more confidence than my entire dating history ever has.

Jenna Lewis finds me attractive.

This changes everything.

I can finally stop worrying that every time I touch her, she’ll gag, or cringe, or worse, break into hives (this new information gives me hope that the hives weren’t entirely my fault).

Quinton wants chemistry, and that’s what he’s going to get.

“Are you ready?” Jenna asks as she comes down the stairs, holding her script.

I saw her earlier this morning when she came downstairs to use the gym on the main floor, but now she’s changed into jean shorts and a cropped shirt with a scoop neck that’s fallen off one shoulder in the sexiest way possible, giving me the perfect look at the string bikini straps tied around her neck.

She points outside. “I thought we could do this by the pool. Maybe it will help us feel like we’re actually on vacation.”

“Sure.” I nod, gesturing for Jenna to lead the way. She sits on the edge of a lounge chair with the script on her knees. “Do you have a plan or a specific scene you want to start with?”

“I thought we could go over the dancing scene first. It’s the first time in a long time that Trev and Renna actually touch, and it’s a pivotal moment leading into the kiss.”

“That’s true.” She looks down and begins flipping through the pages to find the scene.

I extend my arm, putting my hand above the script, right in her line of sight. Jenna’s head slowly lifts.

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