Page 98 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

I’m not running.

I’m going to Milan for a photoshoot. The timing just happens to perfectly align with my need for space from Cody. But since I never told him I was leaving town, it really does look like I’m running.

This whole thing is my fault. I complicated everything by not just acting. I knew better, and now I’m paying the price for it.

Tawny sits across from me with a laptop out on the table between us. “People are going wild over the pictures of you and Cody from Trey’s wedding and the wrap party last night.” She spins the laptop in front of me so I can see the pictures, even though I never asked to see them. The first one is of us on the yacht before the moment when I thought he would kiss me. Our hands are all over each other, and genuine smiles cover both of our faces.

“I can’t see it. The sun’s glare is bad.” What a little liar I am.

Tawny frowns, trying to peek around the screen, but gives up. “You can look at them later ‘cause they’re fabulous.” She turns the screen back to herself. “I don’t think you two could be in more demand than you are now.” The click of her mouse keeps my attention, even though I just want to go back to daydreaming out the window. “Speaking of demand. I’ve received several requests for you to come read for some new roles. One with Flixmart, which I’m sure you’re a shoo-in for, and then two movies. I think we should consider and prepare for the movies to really capitalize on the fake-relationship popularity.

“How much longer do we need to keep up the fake relationship?”

“The contract says until the ratings go up and Flixmart signs on season two.”

“And that’s already happened.”

“The fake relationship isn’t hurting anything. Maybe we should let it go a little longer, ride it until the end.”

I shift my eyes back to the window, not liking the answer I knew she would give me.

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I glance down. Cody’s profile picture covers the entire screen. He’s calling me. Nobody calls anyone anymore. There’s a blip in my heartbeat at the prospect of how fun it would be to talk to Cody on the phone. Okay, it’s more than a blip. It’s a freaking Olympic high jump. I click the button on the side of my phone, darkening the screen, and return my hands back to my lap.

“Who was that?” Tawny asks, barely looking up from what she’s working on.

I shake my head. “Nobody important.”

Another lie. Cody Banner is important to me.

My phone buzzes again. If Hollywood’s biggest playboy left me an old-fashioned voicemail, I would be instantly turned off by him. I don’t do voicemails.

I flip the phone over again.

Cody: Hey, can I come over? I just want to talk. See if you’re okay after everything last night.

Right now, I’m seriously cursing the in-flight Wi-Fi. Everything would be so much easier if I could completely disconnect from Cody physically, mentally, and cellularly—if that’s even a word.

I close out of the text, giving myself some time to think about my response. I need to keep my story in line with what I said last night. Cody can never know the extent of my heartbreak. If he knows, he’ll feel guilty—an emotion he doesn’t deserve since, from the beginning, he’s been nothing but honest with me about who he is and what he wants.

But worse than that, if he knows how sad I am, he might try to stay, try to give me more than he’s capable of, and I can’t ask him to do that. I want him, but not for the wrong reasons.

So I open my phone back up.

Jenna: Hey! I’m so much better after a little sleep and a clear head. I think I might’ve been a little buzzed. I wish we could get together, but I just left for Milan. I have a photoshoot there. Sorry.

I left out my return date or any mention of plans when I get home. And I added that I might’ve been a little drunk. I feel like that helps strengthen my whole I’m fine case.

Cody: You left?

Jenna: Yeah, didn’t I tell you about it?

I definitely did not tell him about it.

Cody: No. I would’ve remembered. When do you get back?

I think about fudging the dates but decide, since I’ve already lied so much about my “fine” emotional state, honesty is probably best at this point.

Jenna: I’ll be here for a week.

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