Chapter 9

“Wait! Wait, I didn’t mean that in a snarky way, honest. Look, I’m a virgin, okay? I just thought that with you, with millions of fans, with you being so breathtakingly gorgeous that you’d have your pick of any guys in the world to be your boyfriend, and--” Jake stopped when he saw that Jenna was looking at him with an odd smile on her face.

“So, you think that I should have slept with hundreds of guys just because?” She asked, but there was no edge to her voice. As Jake got ready to reply, she continued.

“You think I’m that pretty? I’ve always thought that my nose was a little too small, my breasts are too small, these stupid freckles, plus Kylie’s looks are devastating compared to--”

“Whoa. Stop there. Jenna?” He waited until he was sure that he had her attention. “You’re the most beautiful girl that I’ve ever seen. Ever. Yeah, Kylie is awesome, but honestly, you’re so pretty that God stopped trying for perfection after he sculpted you. He’d done it. You.”

Jenna was just staring at Jake, a small smile on her face, her eyes slightly watery. She’d always had doubts about herself. Sure, she’d won the awards, and her name was high up now on the Hollywood A-list, but she knew that could be fleeting, and despite all the financial success, whenever she’d run across criticism, whether it was at some website or if some email slipped through that wasn’t filtered by her agent’s staff, or even just some loser shouting something, it was that which she would focus on, bringing back all the doubts from younger years.

Now, though, to have this handsome young man whom she and her sister happened upon randomly say such wonderful things to her, and he seemed so genuine, she thought. Then she remembered something she wanted to ask him.

“So, who is Kaela, and how is it that YOU’RE a virgin, mister, after those drawings I saw? You sure are fascinated with her, huh? If you love her that much, you should ask her out.”

Jake could see that there was mild mocking in her voice, almost something bordering on a little bit of girlish competitiveness, and maybe something else, he wasn’t sure. He decided at that moment to truly grow some balls.

“I don’t love her. She’s ... she’s just a girl I saw in town. Jenna? Can I show you something?” That got a giggle from the girl.

“I think I have already seen IT, Jake,” and she once again giggled, laying her face against his shoulder.

“Not that!” Jake replied, feeling some color in his cheeks. He softened his voice some. “I want to show you something, something you missed earlier today, something important.”

“Awwwww, I’m comfortable, I don’t wanna’ get up.”

Jake slid somewhat, moving Jenna off of him and fully onto the large sofa as he stood, then immediately realized that he was stark naked, so he took off running toward his room.