Page 84 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

Her smile turns soft and appreciative. “I’d really like that.” Before walking away, her eyes melt into a glare. She aims it at her husband, then leaves.

“You think I don’t know what you’re doing here?” Larry’s stony gaze falls on me. “For once in your life, you’re trying to come off as the good guy, and you’re using my family to do it. First with Jenna, and now with my wife. I’ve seen the headlines about how you use women. Jenna might be too stupid and naive to recognize it, but I’m not. So I suggest you move along and find a new toy to play with.”

I laugh in an irritated way that doesn’t hold any semblance of humor. “I feel bad for you. You have your trophy wife, your NFL son, and your supermodel daughter, and you actually think that everyone’s success and achievements are because of you when, really, it’s all in spite of you.” I take a step forward, lowering my voice. “You obviously don’t know your daughter, because if you did, you’d know there’s nothing stupid or naive about her.” I look down at him with a puff of a mocking laugh. “I’d take a good long look in the mirror because I’m not the one that uses or doesn’t appreciate the women in my life.”

With that, I turn and walk away, heading to the other end of the boat. My blood boils with anger. It all makes sense. Jenna’s terrible choices in men funnel back to her dad, and she doesn’t even see it. She’s just repeating the same pattern of behavior that her mom fell into, choosing men who only want a beautiful woman by their side, not a companion.

I lean against the side of the yacht, glancing behind my shoulder, hoping Jenna will be coming out soon. I feel like she’s been getting ready for hours. She’s nowhere to be found, but my eyes catch a familiar face from my Google search of Jenna’s dating history. It’s the sports agent, the one who became a meme for being jealous of another woman while he was dating Jenna. He’s here with the woman, and she’s pregnant—must be his now wife.

Great. Another prick in Jenna’s life to deal with.

His gaze locks with mine, and he smiles. Smiles. He clearly can’t read my mind.

Oh, now he’s coming over.

“Cody, right?” His arm extends, so I shake his hand. What else am I going to do? Punch him? “You’re here with Jenna?”

“Yeah.” My jaw hardens as our hands break apart. This guy has chosen the worst time to come and talk to me. Larry Lewis has already primed me with anger.

“I’m Ben Jackson, a friend of both Trey and Jenna.”

“I know who you are. You’re the jerk who was in love with his best friend while you were dating Jenna. Real cool to play with her heart like that.” My words come out harsh, and instead of being offended, this guy’s lips lift as if he’s amused.

“What I did to Jenna wasn’t cool.” At least he can admit it. “But I’d like to think I wasn’t that big of a jerk. I mean, Trey and Jenna still like me despite everything, so I couldn’t have been that bad.”

“Well,” I scoff, “Jenna is the nicest person I’ve ever met and likes almost everyone.” Everyone except for me. “So we can’t really base anything off of that.” I take a sip of my drink, glancing away from him.

“She is the nicest person. I’m glad to see you think so too. And what about you?” His question prompts me to look back at him. “Are you playing with Jenna’s heart?”

Is this guy serious? Is he really asking me about my intentions with Jenna?

I take a step forward, standing right in front of Ben. We’re about the same height and build, so it’s not like I have some intimidation factor giving me the edge here, but the step makes me feel better nonetheless. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not playing a game with Jenna’s heart. I know what I am, and I know what she deserves.”

Ben’s mouth drifts into a wide smile. Why is he smiling so much? It’s creepy.

“Good.” He nods a few times. “I better get back to my wife, but it was nice to meet you.”

I glare at him as he walks away. Jenna thinks I’m bad. Dude, that guy is a classic player—but he’s married, so I guess he’s not. But I still don’t like him or the fool he made out of her.

“Psst!”

My brows lower as I look around.

“Psst! Over here.”

I spin, following the sound to an old lady sitting in a wheelchair by the couch.

“Are you talking to me?” I point to my chest. I think I liked this wedding better when I was alone and had no one to talk to. People are coming out of the woodwork to chat now. I feel like I’m being punked.

“No, I’m talking to the fish in the ocean,” the old woman snaps. “Of course, I’m talking to you!”

I walk to her. “Do you need something?”

Her wrinkled finger wags in front of my face. “You should go shirtless more often in your movies. Women like that.”

My brows jump in surprise, and a small laugh billows out. “Uh, thank you. I think.”

“I bet Jenna likes your abs. I would.”

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