Page 49 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

Huh? My insecurity and need for her approval is pathetic.

“We’re actually fake dating,” she corrects. “And as far as I’m concerned, it will just be an extension of The Promised Prince. We’ll play the part of two people who enjoy each other’s company in a romantic way. Jenna, Renna—it’s all the same, and it rhymes.”

“Don’t let the trio hear you say that, or they’ll send us back to Malibu to work on our chemistry again.”

“True.” Jenna’s laugh comes out through her nose with a snort, but it’s cute. I find pretty much everything she does to be really cute.

“Well, thanks for agreeing to the love contract thing or whatever you want to call it. I think it’ll help generate positive press for the series.”

It’s weird thanking a woman for basically just tolerating me, but maybe that’s part of transitioning from a boy to a man—you realize that women mostly just tolerate you, and you’re grateful for whatever crumb they throw your way.

“It’s not a big deal.” Jenna smiles, and the warmth I mentioned earlier is acutely absent from her eyes as she stares back at me. “It’s just acting. Like any other day on set. And when we’re not acting, we’ll go our separate ways like we normally do.”

I’m noticing a pattern. It’s obvious Jenna wants me to know she considers the fake relationship as part of the job. Nothing more. There’s a precedence being set, and I hear the message loud and clear.

“Definitely,” I puff out. “I feel the same way,” I huff. When does huffing and puffing become too much? Because I think I’ve entered that territory. I’m about to become a member of the Three Little Pigs.

Jenna runs her fingers through her hair impassively, and I mentally tell myself it’s not the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. “Also, be sure you tell Calista that it’s all just for show.”

My lips drop into a frown. “As in Calista James?”

Her green eyes drift to me. She’s trying to keep them impassive, but I think I see a flash of jealousy, or more precisely, I hope I see a flash of jealousy. “Yeah, you were talking with her on the phone the other day, right? You’re together.”

I don’t know if that was a question or a statement, but I clarify just in case it’s a question. “We’re just friends.”

“Either way.” More impassiveness. “I just don’t want her to think I’m romantically interested in you in real life.”

I have to hand it to Jenna. She can innocently throw a knock-out punch without breaking a sweat. I actually like that about her.

“Calista is a non-issue.” I tilt my head toward her, effortlessly inching my body even closer. I get a whiff of strawberry, and my eyes snap to the pink on her lips. Strawberry lip gloss. I bet that would taste amazing against my tongue.

Nope, Cody. Save those thoughts for when we’re filming. Or for never. Never have those thoughts.

I reluctantly pull my gaze back to her eyes. “But feel free to tell your boyfriend I’m not romantically interested in you in real life either.”

And if I could know exactly who he is, that would be really helpful for when I hunt him down and kill him.

Jenna lifts her chin, shaking her hair back from her face. “That’s a non-issue as well.”

Meaning she doesn’t have a boyfriend? That makes my life easier. Manslaughter is messy and highly inconvenient.

But now, I am suddenly very curious about Jenna’s dating history. I can’t recall hearing her name paired with anyone in my circle. I only know what she told me in Malibu—men think they’re going home with Victoria's Secret and are disappointed when they realize it’s just her.

Who cares about the fantasy on the billboard? The real-life woman standing in front of me is pretty incredible.

“Cody, that’s when the camera will swing to you as you say your last line.”

I tear my eyes away from Jenna and focus on Quinton’s instructions.

“I’d love a sad smile here or something that lets the viewer know how heartbroken you are that you can’t be with this woman. Then we’ll zoom in on Renna as she watches Trev walk away.” He looks between the two of us. “Does that sound good?”

“Yep,” we say in unison.

“Great.” Quinton heads for his director’s chair. “Let’s get started.”

I walk to the edge of the garden path, where I begin the scene. A team works around Jenna, fanning her dress around her as she sits on the cement wall.

A pulse of excitement hangs on every beat of my heart. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt something like this while filming. The last few years, I’ve just gone through the motions of acting, but today, the love of the job has somehow found its way back into my veins, and for the first time since I started this show, I’m actually excited to film a scene.

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