Page 46 of Secrets We Keep
Jenna walks out of the house, still only wearing my shirt, even though Reid got her a bunch of clothes to wear, a mix of everything she could need for any occasion. Reid owning his own place on this private beach is perfect. I wasn’t surprised to see how easy Reid and I have found getting to know each other. Just over a week ago, neither of us knew the other existed.
“What’s got you in deep thinking mode?” Jenna says, handing me a cup of coffee and reaching up to kiss me. I forget how much shorter she is. I’m so used to her wearing her heels that make her legs look like they go on for days.
“Nothing serious,” I smile back. “You excited about tomorrow night?
“I am really excited.”
I put the coffee cup on the wooden beam I’ve been leaning against, wrapping my arms around our girl. I’ve wanted to do this for so long. Now I can do any time I want.
She tightens her hold on me. “You smell good,” she sniffs into the crook of my neck. “I know I need to tell him.”
My body stiffens. I know exactly what she is talking about. She told me one night a couple of years and said she doesn’t like to talk about it. So, neither of us ever brought it up again.
“You’ll tell him in your own time when you’re ready. Just like you did with me.”
“I know; I just don’t want any secrets between us.” She feels so good relaxing into me.
Sitting at the counter watching Jenna and Reid be playful with each other while they both make dinner for us all makes me realize that this just feels so right. I wish more people got to see this side of Jenna, but for some reason, she has it in her head that she needs to be this in-control gatekeeper at work. It’s such a far cry from the women I’ve gotten to know over the years.
Jenna slowly stops laughing and casts a glance my way. “Reid, I need to tell you something. It’s nothing as bad as what you went through.”
“That’s debatable,” I argue. I still don’t agree with Jenna wanting to handle it like this. She told me she wanted to bring it up, like in casual conversation.
Reid gives me a suspicious look. I nod toward Jenna, telling him he needs to give her his attention.
“So,” she pauses. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told Dom. I’m going to tell you something. You get two questions if you need it, and then I don’t want to talk about it again.”
She means it too; I want to say to him.
Reid puts the spoon down and turns down the burner, stopping the sauce they’re making from bubbling too much, so it's on a lower simmer.
“So I grew up here. My parents were Hollywood legends in the nineties. Then they died in a plane crash in 2001. I was able to drop off the face of the world when they died, and although my whole childhood I grew up in the public eye, I’ve never wanted to have anything to do with it. I stayed here until college and then moved away after to San Francisco until Adrien moved here and wanted me to come too.”
“I should feel honored you want anything to do with me,” Reid says thoughtfully. “Babe, I’m sorry you went through... But losing your parents like that.”
“So, any questions?” She asks, busying herself around the stove.
“Wow. You’ve sort of shocked me with this, babe.”
“I didn’t want us to have any secrets, and I figured your security team would probably be finding this information out sooner or later.”
He laughs nervously. “I told them only to tell me things I needed to know. I’m in this for the long term. If you want me to know stuff. You’re going to have to be the person to tell me.”
She nods her approval. “It takes me a while to open up. I’m a recluse and quiet person most of the time. You’re the type I’ve spent all of my years since then trying to avoid.” Her smile is weak, but she’s being genuine with him.
“We knew each other two years before she told me.” I smile at Reid.
“Everything is going at an accelerated pace with you too.” I know she’s trying to lighten the mood.
“Blame that guy,” I laugh, nodding Reid’s way.
He looks thoughtful.
“Reid,” she bumps into him, smiling, “I’m still the same person you thought I was an hour ago.”
He puts his arms around and squeezes her a moment longer than he probably needed to. “I know, babe.” He kisses the top of her head and nods at me, bro-code for I’m good.
We quickly get back to the way things were and enjoy each other's company like Jenna hadn’t just dropped a big news dump of information on things.
