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Jenna held back. “Thanks for all your help. That was really kind.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I called over my shoulder. I hadn’t thought to thank the gate attendant for doing something we hadn’t needed or asked for, but itwasgood manners. Grandma would adore Jenna.
I worked out daily, mostly to prevent overuse injuries and for the beneficial cardiovascular effects, but even with all my swimming and strength training, there was a moment when I thought I’d be unable to heft Jenna’s suitcase into the overhead compartment. I squatted as low as possible and then, with a deep grunt, managed to propel it up and inside.
Someone on the row behind us clapped.
“Sorry,” Jenna whispered. “I should have put my foot down with Ellie.”
“It’s fine.” I rolled my neck from side to side. “Window or aisle?”
“I’m good with either.”
Since she didn’t care, I took the window. I hated to have flight attendants and other passengers constantly pushing past me to get to the bathroom.
Jenna stowed her leather bag, then gestured to our little row of two generously sized seats. “This is nice.”
“Nice not to have to be pressed up against a stranger,” I agreed as we took our seats.
“Oh, sorry.” She edged a few inches closer to the aisle, apparently taking my disclosure as an indictment. “Is that okay, or do you need more room?”
“You’re fine.” I hadn’t actually meant she was too near, but reassuring her it was okay if she wanted to get close didn’t seem like a great idea since she’d been adamant against the idea of cuddling.
I buckled in before addressing the concern that had been on my mind for the last five minutes. “Listen, my grandma wants to take everyone out to a restaurant in Little Havana for lunch today at eleven, so I don’t really think we can go to that bar the flight attendant mentioned... unless you want to go on your own and then meet us at the port?” I refrained from adding it would be hard to explain that to my family without making Jenna sound like an alcoholic.
Jenna wrinkled her nose. “Oh, no. Bars aren’t really my thing. I’m not even that much of a drinker, really.”
“Ah. You seemed pretty excited about it back there...” I tilted my head toward the cabin door.
“I just didn’t want to be rude when she was trying to help us,” Jenna explained. “She’ll be happy all day now imagining us having a great time seeing all those Hollywood stars.”
“That’s a relief. Wasn’t sure how I’d break the news of your day drinking to my family.”
She giggled at my joke, and my chest seemed to puff out of its own accord, as if I were a male peacock whose mating instinct had been activated. What had gotten into me?
Jenna buckled her seatbelt. “How exactly did your grandma end up thinking you were bringing a girlfriend, anyway?”
Much as I didn’t want to discuss Cassidy, Jenna had probably earned the story by agreeing to come with me on the trip. Without naming anyone, I explained that I’d intended to ask a woman I had been interested in, only to find out she already had a boyfriend, and that my mom and sister had run wild with the story.
Jenna frowned sympathetically. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out with your crush.”
“It’s really fine,” I assured her. “Just a temporary lapse of judgment on my part.”
Her eyebrows went up. “Was she not a good person?”
“She’s awonderfulperson,” I corrected. “Smart, kind, generous, hardworking...” I could have gone on longer, but there was really no point.
“I’m not seeing the problem with your judgement.” Jenna pursed her lips. “Are you only allowed to fall in love with terrible women?”
I cringed at the “L” word. “My lapse was in deluding myself that I was experiencing “love” at all. Scientifically speaking, it’s a word that describes a set of chemical reactions in the brain designed to make us feel attraction and attachment. Cass—she—was such an impressive person that even I fell victim to the delusion for a little while.”
“I—” Jenna was interrupted by one of the flight attendants standing to give the safety presentation. She offered the man her full attention, even smiling at him when they made eye contact.
I was starting to see a pattern in her behavior—Jenna expended herself trying to make other people feel good. Had I accidentally coopted a nice person into helping me? I’d thought she’d feel as free to say no as I would under the same circumstances.
Well, that wasn’t strictly true. I really didn’t want to go to her sister’s wedding, but even I’d seen the equity in the exchange.
As soon as the presentation concluded, Jenna turned her attention back to me. “You don’t believe in love?”
