Page 61 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

“Let’s go, then.”

I untangle from his arms and speed-walk down the 1986-inspired hallway to the stairs.

This is me clapping off.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CODY

I walk around the rental car, opening Jenna’s door for her. Two photographers line up on the street in front of the cafe as if they knew exactly where we’d be and when.

Tawny and Dallas clearly know what they’re doing.

The closest town to where we’re filming is Banff, a picturesque national park, hopping with travelers. It’s the perfect place for a sighting of the new Hollywood It couple. When tourists see the paparazzi taking our pictures, the sidewalk crowds with people trying to get a glimpse of someone famous.

There’s a line of spectators on either side as I help Jenna out of the car. She eyes my proffered hand.

“You’re crazy about me, remember?”

Her lips purse. Since when did lip pursing become so sexy? I don’t know, but I’m a fan.

I pull her to a stand, thinking I’ll lead her through the tunnel of people calling our names. But instead of heading straight for the door, Jenna stops and begins greeting the fans. She smiles for pictures and signs autographs on paper that literally came from out of nowhere.

“Cody, come be in this picture with us.” She waves me over.

I’m not the best with fan interaction. I like to remain mysterious, which is really code for distant. But Jenna waves me over again, and I gravitate toward her. She puts her arm around me, smiling up at the phone.

“Oh, no!” She laughs with the woman who posed with us. “I think I closed my eyes. We need to take another.”

Not only does she have time for one picture, but apparently, Jenna has time for two pictures. I guess this is how you become likable.

“Cody”—she waves me over again to a new fan—“this is Blake. He’s a huge fan of yours.”

She found that out in the two seconds she spent with him?

The little boy looks up at me with a toothless grin. “Defend or Die is my favorite movie.”

“Defend or Die? Really? Aren’t you a little too young to be watching an action movie like that?” Jenna swats my shoulder. “What I meant to say is, I’m so glad you liked it.”

We continue this sort of thing all the way down the line of fans—me hanging back while Jenna effortlessly connects to people in a way I’ve only ever dreamed about. At the end, the restaurant hostess sees us coming and promptly opens the door.

“Welcome to Mont Cafe,” she says. “We have a table waiting for you on the patio.”

“The patio?” Jenna asks. “That sounds quaint.”

I wink at her. “Only the best for my baby bumpkins.”

“So now I'm a baby bumpkins?”

“I’m just feeling out all my options.”

Her eye roll makes it seem like she’s over my teasing, but I see how she’s biting back a smile.

We follow the hostess to our spot at the edge of the patio. There’s a slight breeze, but beyond that, the summer air is perfect for sitting outside. We’re seated beside the two-foot privacy fence that separates where the sidewalk stops and the cafe begins. Each table has a canopy overhead, blocking the morning sun with mountain views on all sides. It would be ideal if it weren’t for the crowd of people twenty feet away, holding phones to take pictures of us. Luckily, the cafe enforces that they can’t come right to where we’re seated.

I help Jenna into her chair, and we smile politely as the hostess places our napkins in our laps like we can’t do it ourselves.

“Your waiter will be with you shortly.”

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