25. Jenna
JENNA
“ W hat if they don’t like me?” I wince as I ask myself in the mirror.
I’ve worked hard throughout my life to not worry about what people think of me.
As my mother used to say, I’m champagne.
I don’t need to be everyone’s cup of tea.
But every once in a while, self-doubt creeps its way back in and I worry I’m not enough—that people won’t see the good in me or like me the way I am.
Getting ready was actually kind of fun. I put on my nicest black leggings, a pair of heels, and a black workout top that could pass for Sandy’s crop top.
I curled my hair and my eyelashes and painted my lips with bright red lipstick.
I should feel hot—hell, I can even admit that I look hot—but I’m still feeling a little insecure.
The doorbell rings and a dog barks. Miles.
And Pete. Miles suggested bringing Pete over while we went to the party.
Then, he could stay over, and we could get an early start on some projects tomorrow.
The thought of waking up next to Miles again—now that so much has changed—makes me nervous.
I know he’d never force me to do something I don’t want to do; that’s not the problem.
The problem is, I want to do all the things with Miles.
In the bedroom and out. It’s really messing with my plans to leave this place.
I suck in a breath and swing open the door.
Miles stands there, looking like he stepped right out of 1956—tight black jeans, black Converse, and a fitted black T-shirt that shows off every inch of his trim physique.
His curls are unlike I’ve ever seen them, slicked back in full Danny Zuko style.
He looks hot. Pete barks in excitement and jumps on me, but Miles is paralyzed, looking at me in the same way I’m taking him in.
“Wow,” he breathes. “Jenna. You look amazing.”
I grin, tension melting away. “So do you.”
“Really. You nailed it,” he says, snapping out of his trance and walking inside. He tugs me close and kisses my red lips.
“You’re going to be wearing my lipstick,” I say against his mouth.
“Good. Then everyone will know you’re mine,” he mutters.
My heart flutters. He could have said everyone will know you’re with me. Instead, he said you’re mine . I scold myself for feeling hopeful that I could be his. We get Pete settled with his dog bed and food bowls and then we’re ready to go.
“Why don’t we Uber?” Miles suggests. The party is closer to downtown than my house is, and it would probably be better not to drive, so I agree. Fifteen minutes later, we’re turning onto Perry Street. Miles points out a house with a twelve-foot skeleton in the yard. “That’s where I grew up.”
I giggle. “Do your parents still live there?”
“Sure do. Bone Daddy was what I was helping my mom with the other night.” He gestures to the large, creepy skeleton.
I bark out a laugh. “Bone Daddy?”
Miles holds up his hands. “Hey, I didn’t name him. My mom did.”
“That makes it even funnier.” I giggle.
We pass Ellie’s house, and less than a minute later, we reach Liam and Sophie’s.
The house is decked out in Halloween decor—orange and purple lights, creepy lawn ornaments, and music blaring.
Miles thanks the driver and we slide out.
“Buddy Holly” by Weezer is blasting, and Liam and Sophie are on the porch greeting their guests.
Liam is dressed as Buddy Holly and Sophie is dressed as Mary Tyler Moore.
If the song wasn’t playing, I may not have gotten it, but I’ll admit, I’m impressed.
“Hey guys!” Sophie greets us cheerfully. “Danny & Sandy! How cute!” Her enthusiasm is contagious as she reaches out to hug me.
“Who are you guys supposed to be?” Miles asks, tilting his head, examining them.
“Duh, they’re Buddy Holly and Mary Tyler Moore. From the Weezer song that’s playing literally right now.” I swat Miles’s arm with a grin.
“Ohh, I get it,” Miles says, walking past them to go inside. “Totally don’t get it,” he mutters in my ear, and laughter escapes me.
“Drinks are in the fridge,” Liam calls after him.
It doesn’t take long before the party is in full swing.
Sophie, the gem that she is, takes me under her wing, bringing me around and introducing me to the locals as Miles’s girl.
I’m relieved to see another familiar face, Melanie, as all the ladies gather in a group.
I eye Miles across the room. He’s standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, talking to Danny and some of the other guys.
Our eyes lock, and he mouths, “Are you okay?” My heart swells.
I actually am okay. I can see why Miles loves these people so much.
“So, can we assume that’s what you are?” Stephanie, one of the women standing nearby asks. She’s dressed as the jelly half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I get distracted, watching Miles. I shake my head, coming back to the present. “Sorry. What did you ask me?” I grimace in embarrassment.
“Ohh, see? She’s so distracted by him,” Kristen, Danny’s wife, swoons. She’s dressed as the loofah to his soap.
“Miles’s girlfriend. Is that what you are?” Stephanie repeats herself.
“Oh… Uh…” I’m caught off guard. “I don’t really know.” I shrug.
“Leave her alone, Steph,” Sophie interrupts. “It’s new, right, Jenna?”
“ So new,” I agree, nodding my head.
“All I know is, I totally expected Miles to show up alone, dressed as a Ninja Turtle or something. I did not picture him showing up with a total hottie on his arm—one he can’t stop staring at.” Kristen gestures toward Miles, and we all look just in time to catch him watching us.
His cheeks turn a shade of pink, and he quickly looks away, caught in the act.
“Oh my God! See?” Stephanie squeals, clapping her hands. “He’s obsessed with you!”
Melanie rolls her eyes. “What Steph means is, it’s been a really long time since we’ve seen Miles look so happy.”
Happy. Miles is happy with me. And his friends notice. Something in my chest shifts.
“Yeah. Sophie, you didn’t know his ex-wife, Erin, but she really did a number on the poor guy,” Kristen weighs in.
“That’s all water under the bridge now,” Sophie says, linking her arm through mine. Then I remember—Sophie knows what it’s like to be the new girl in town. She’s trying to make me feel comfortable.
I take a sip of the punch that’s getting warm in my hand and search the room for Miles.
A moment later, he’s at my side. “How are you doing?” he whispers in my ear, sending a shiver through me.
Kristen and Stephanie watch us with great interest. I put my drink on the table next to me and whirl around, putting my arms around his neck and tugging him downward.
“I’m okay,” I whisper. “But I missed you.”
He pulls me closer and kisses me softly. “You did, huh?”
I nod, resting my head on his chest.
Miles leans down and murmurs in my ear. “How about we Irish goodbye?”
A chill crawls up my neck. Even though it’s been less than an hour, Miles is suggesting we leave without saying goodbye to anyone. The party is fun, but I’ve never liked an idea more. I look up at him, his eyes are fiery, hungry even.
“Let’s go,” I say quietly, glancing behind me at the ladies who have gone back to their own conversations.
“We made an appearance,” Miles says, as if he’s reassuring himself—like he can’t believe he’s part of a couple sneaking out of a party early.
Then we’re out on the street, walking in the crisp fall air toward the mall.
There is a slight breeze, but otherwise, the night is comfortable.
Miles laces his fingers through mine, and I lean into his arm.
I haven’t let myself relax with a guy like this in what feels like years.
It probably has been years. We walk in comfortable silence, but suddenly, I have the overwhelming urge to tell Miles more about myself.
For the first time, I want to let my guard down and open up to him. I can’t let the feeling pass by.
I clear my throat. “My last boyfriend cheated. I should have known he would—his reputation preceded him—but for some reason, I thought I would be different. I discovered it right after my mom’s diagnosis and I ended things.
But it’s been really hard to date since.
Mostly because I was taking care of her, but I guess I also kept my guard up.
” I glance up, searching Miles’s expression, but his face is unreadable.
Miles looks down at me, his expression pained, waiting for me to continue.
“You make me want to let my guard down, Miles.” I stop, tugging his hand until he’s standing in front of me.
Miles cups my face, his eyes filled with longing.
Then his lips twitch into a smile. “Good.” He kisses me softly, but it’s not urgent.
It’s as if we’re the only two people on the street right now.
I let myself get lost in it. When Miles pulls away, his expression is tender.
“Jenna, anyone who would cheat on you would never be deserving of you.”
His sensitivity catches me off guard. I wrap my arms around his torso, allowing our bodies to meld together. A breeze blows through, and I shiver.
“Let’s get you home,” he murmurs into my hair.
Miles pulls up the Uber app as we walk. I take in the scenery of Cape May, the old buildings and mature trees, the quaintness of the town, the smell of the salt air. Maybe I could stay here.
I tilt my head back, the night sky stretches endlessly above me, scattered with more stars than I can count. It’s like the universe is trying to tell me something. You belong here. “Look at all those stars,” I whisper.
“Aren’t they amazing?” Miles asks, stopping so he can take in the view with me. “That right there is why I surf at night.”He points to the sky.
At that moment, a streak of light, sharp and sudden, cuts across the sky—a shooting star. “Did you see that?” I gasp. “I’ve never seen one before.”
“I hope you made a wish.” Miles nudges me.