Page 52 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

I’m sure she’s loving this.

I take a deep breath and flip back into character, saying my line again so post-production has a clean place to start. I glance up at her, not missing the amusement behind her eyes—yep, she’s loving it. But her playfulness puts me at ease and helps me finish what I’m supposed to say. Seamlessly, I change the position of our hands, allowing me to slowly trace her knuckles with my thumb. Warmth spreads throughout my body as if I’m eighty years old and sleeping under a freaking electric blanket.

I’ve got problems.

And I’m not even at the best lines of the scene yet, but I’m already dreading them. No, I’m dreading my reaction to them. But I’m a professional, so I throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into the last little bit, and when it’s time for me to give it my all, my body leans toward hers like she’s pulling me in with a reel. I smell that same strawberry lip gloss and say what I’m supposed to say.

“I would tell you every day how beautiful you were and how much I loved being with you.” Jenna swallows, and I hate not knowing if that’s her response to me or Renna’s response to Trev. When did acting become so complicated? But I keep going. “I would never take you for granted.” I say those words, fully knowing that I’ve been a complete fool the last five months, taking her for granted every single day.

After what I would consider a few seconds of heated glances back and forth, Jenna removes her hand from mine and tucks her knees up to her chest. She eyes me with a sad smile. “We would have been pretty amazing.”

“I think so.” I’m surprised by how real my own sadness feels. “I guess we’ll never really know.” And that’s how it is in real life too. I’ll never really know if Jenna Lewis and I could’ve been something more than costars who barely got along. I ruined my chances with her long ago and every day since.

My lips press downward as that realization washes over me.

Hold up.

I’m supposed to be Trev right now.

Full of sadness, regret, and longing.

But I’m already those things.

I glance at the ground in embarrassment until I remember everyone here thinks I’m acting, not sad in real life because I’m starting to wish that things between Jenna and me could be different. That I could be different.

“I guess I’ll let you get back to your conversation with your dad.” I scoot off the edge, sending her one last sad smile before starting my walk out of the garden. “Tell him I said hi.”

“Cut!” Quinton yells, and just like that, the moment is over.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

JENNA

Tawny pops her head in my trailer. “Two minutes until the interview.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“I’ll meet you over there.” She lets the door shut behind her.

I slowly rise to my feet, placing my hands on my hips as my head hangs low. Nerves spin inside my stomach. The kind I used to get before every fashion show or runway event. The kind that make me feel like I’m not good enough to be doing what I’m doing. Whether it’s walking a catwalk in front of thousands or being a good enough actor to pull off this fake-dating charade.

I hate that my inadequacy is always the last thing that floats through my mind. When everything else is silent, my insecurities are loud and upfront.

I lift my head and draw in a deep breath, resigned to not only fake my relationship today but to fake my confidence.

Because that’s what it takes to make it in this industry.

I place my phone on the bed and walk out of the trailer at, coincidentally, the same time Cody exits his.

He looks extra handsome this morning in a fitted collared shirt that’s snug over his shoulders and biceps.

His lips slowly peel into a smile, barrel-rolling my stomach. “Are you ready for this?”

“Yep.” My voice is cheery and bright, channeling my fake confidence. I’m cool, calm, and collected—the three Cs. “Are you ready for it?”

Cody’s steps fall in stride with mine as we walk toward where the interview has been set up. “Am I ready to show people how madly in love with you I am?” His lips curve up on one side. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

Great.

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