Page 47 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

“I’ll try to remember that. What about you?” My mouth lifts. “How are the wedding plans coming?”

“Everything’s coming together. We’re getting down to it now. We’re under two weeks.”

“I’ll be there.”

“You better.”

“Thanks for talking things through with me.”

“Jenna, it’s going to be okay. Don’t let anyone push you around. Be the one that’s calling the shots in this situation, and everything will turn out the way it’s supposed to.”

I love my brother’s optimism.

I just wish I believed in his words as much as he does.

CHAPTER TWELVE

CODY

The night sky at the base of the Canadian Rockies is one of my favorite parts of being in a rural spot in Alberta. Thousands of stars illuminate everything, and there’s even the added touch of crickets or some other kind of insect, giving off that classic summery sound in the background.

I stand still in the middle of the garden as my stylist finishes the final touches on my outfit for this scene. She tugs on each sleeve, rolling them up past my elbows.

Naomi is behind the stylist’s shoulder, going over some last-minute directions from Quinton. “For this scene in the garden, when Trev stumbles on Renna out here alone, it’s supposed to be somber—sad almost. The realization that they’re trapped in their lives and are losing each other really weighs them down. Quinton wants you to deliver the lines in Trev’s charming way, but there needs to be a hint of sadness behind every glance, touch, or word you say. A longing that things could be different.”

My eyes flip to her. “A longing that things could be different?”

“Yes.”

I nod, tuning Naomi out with my own thoughts.

Longing should be easy.

Ever since Jenna walked away from me on the balcony in Malibu, I’ve felt exactly that. I wished that we could start over, that my reputation hadn’t preceded me or tainted her opinion of who I am before she even had the chance to get to know me.

It’s too late for that.

She’s pegged me as the player who only cares about getting women to fall for me. She’s not wrong. I’ve been that guy. I was that guy. I just don’t want to be him anymore.

But now, we’re doing this whole fake-relationship thing, which normally wouldn’t have been a problem for me. I would’ve gone along with whatever storyline Dallas conjured up and not thought twice about it.

But with Jenna, I am thinking twice.

She’s not like the other women I’ve messed around with. There’s a certain innocence to her reputation that I don’t want to tarnish. It’s like I’ve shown up muddy at an all-white house and touched everything with my dirty hands.

I glance to where Jenna sits in a director’s chair, getting her makeup touched up. She’s wearing a cream vintage dress that’s a cross between medieval and bohemian with metallic embellishments that trim the neckline and sleeves. She looks beautiful in it, as she should. I mean, she’s not a supermodel for nothing. But it’s more than her flawless face and perfect body.

There’s a warmth behind her smile that’s genuine, making you feel like she could be your best friend. I rarely get to see it used on me, but when I watch her with others, it’s what draws people in. I admire her openness in how she greets cast members and strangers with clasped hands and kisses on their cheeks. Personally, I’d never do that, but I like that everyone she meets starts on the same level as her.

Except for me.

I never started on Jenna’s level—and rightfully so. She’s the perfect sweetheart, and I’m the guy who’s made every single mistake in the book. Those two things don’t go together. We’re the human equivalent of water and oil.

But even knowing this, I can’t shake that I felt something the other day on the balcony when I held her. This intense desire to be better. To become better for her. To behave in a way that earns her respect.

Son of a—!

I shake my head. Where did all of these stupid, sissy thoughts come from? Wait. I know. This whole thing is Dallas’s fault with his ridiculous image-restoration plan. My head is so mixed up with ‘be a better man’ lingo that now I’m projecting it onto my working relationship with Jenna.

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