Page 38 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

Hesitantly, she wraps one arm around my back, pressing her palm against my shoulder blade. The excitement of Jenna’s body next to mine is like riding the front row on a roller coaster, anticipating the twists, turns, and drops ahead. Uncertainty and exhilaration accompany each breath.

“Do you like spins and turns when you dance or slow rocking?” My other hand trails the length of her free arm until it closes over her fingers. I lift our joined hands, holding them in the air beside us.

“It depends on the guy.” She pulls her head back, eyeing me from the side. “If I’m not interested in him, I’d rather have spins and turns instead of the intimacy of slow rocking.”

“What about with me?” I keep her gaze.

“We could slowly move back and forth.” Her eyes drift away from mine as her shoulders lift in a shrug. “That would be best for the show.”

“This isn’t about the show. Not really.” My weight shifts back and forth as I hug her body into mine. “This is about you and me and building a physical relationship between us.”

“Okay.” Her chest rises against mine as her grasp around my back tightens.

I don’t say anything more. Just slowly rock us back and forth to the music of the crashing waves in the distance. Our joined hands relax and casually rest against my chest, where my heart is beating steadily.

There’s still a stiffness to Jenna, like she can’t fully allow herself to relax into my touch, so I talk to get her mind to stop overthinking this. Because even with how little I know about Jenna Lewis, I know her mind is racing right now.

“Are you close with your brother, Trey?”

“As close as two siblings can be with our hectic careers and schedules.” Her body eases as she talks. “When he lived in LA, things were easier, but I try to visit him in Tampa whenever possible, especially now that my parents moved out there too.”

“He’s getting married, right?”

“In two weeks, actually.”

“I saw on the film schedule that we end just in time for you to travel to his wedding.”

“Yes, I’m headed to Tampa. The wedding is on his yacht. It should be really nice.” Her hand around my back shifts, moving up closer to my neck. “It’s been a long time coming for him and Whitney. I’m really happy that everything worked out for them.”

“And what about you? You said you want to get married. Does part of you wish it was you instead of him?”

“No, I’m happy for them. But I would like to get married sooner rather than later. It’s in the five-year plan.”

I smile. “You have a five-year plan?”

“Don’t you?” She tilts her head toward me, brushing her cheek against the coarse hair on my beard.

“I have a plan, but there isn’t a time limit by when it needs to be completed.”

“Hmm.” There’s amusement in her voice. “I’d love to know what’s in the mysterious Cody Banner life plan.” Her fingers absentmindedly start stroking the back of my neck—a gesture that has my skin in flames. I close my eyes, focusing on and relishing in her simple touch.

“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”

Soft laughter puffs over her lips, leaving me wondering if, in the five months I’ve known her, I’ve ever elicited that feathery, sultry sound from her. “Okay, in five years, I want to be happily married with kids and have ten to fifteen movies under my belt. What about you?”

“What’s in my life plan?” I open my eyes, sucking in a quick breath. “Right now, everything in my career is about image restoration, about appearing like a mature adult instead of the lovable playboy. That’s why I hired Dallas Mikesell to be my manager and why I took the role in this Flixmart series.” Her steps slow a little, as if she can’t fully dance and listen to me at the same time. “This shift is important. It brings longevity to my career in the same way switching from modeling to acting helps you stay relevant longer. I’m hoping the tabloids, the media, the fans will talk about me for my acting and not for how late they think I stayed out or who I stayed out with.”

Jenna slowly nods. “I didn’t know you were trying to be someone different.”

“I think I’ve been trying unsuccessfully since I was fourteen.”

“I want people to see me differently, too. I want to be recognized for more than having a pretty face or a knock-out body. I want people to notice my talents or to compliment me on my intelligence.”

“Sounds like we’re both trying to break the stigma surrounding our names.”

“I guess so.”

“That’s why I like acting. There are no stigmas or boxes. I get to become something different. Play the part of men who are better than me in real life.”

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