Page 46 of Breaking

" I have been curious of this mystery woman everyone has been talking about." he said easily, eyes twinkling. "So to purpose was to drag you out of your routine. And to see if you have decent music taste."

Jenna laughed. "And?"

"You passed-for now."

They stayed until the last encore, then bundled the girls into Adam's car, driving back to Jenna's place for a sleepover. Dani and Rhiann chatted animatedly in the back, still buzzing from the night, while Jenna leaned her head against the seat, exhaustion creeping in-but the good kind.

As Adam drove, the conversation turned casual.

"So," Adam said, glancing at her. "What's your go-to band?"

Jenna hesitated before shrugging. "I was always more of a Cranberries kind of girl. Something nostalgic but timeless."

Adam nodded approvingly. "Solid choice. What about guilty pleasure music?"

Jenna laughed. "Boy bands from the late nineties."

Adam grinned. "Let me guess-Backstreet Boys?"

"Obviously."

"Respectable," he said, nodding sagely. "But if you'd said NSYNC, I would have had to reconsider this whole friendship."

Jenna rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered as they pulled into the driveway.

Once home, Jenna set about making a late dinner, something warm and satisfying. The kitchen filled with the rich scent of roasted garlic, tomatoes, and basil as she prepared pasta from scratch, paired with fresh bread and a crisp salad. Adam helped, chopping vegetables while the girls set the table. Dylan appeared just in time, eyeing the food approvingly.

"Sasha was a lot of things," he said, grabbing a plate, "but she wasn't much of a cook."

Jenna laughed. "Tell me about it. I love her, but the woman thought seasoning was optional."

Rhiann giggled, sneaking glances at Dylan when she thought he wasn't looking. Dani noticed and said something , but Dylan just ruffled her hair like a little sister before stuffing his face with bread. Rhiann huffed in annoyance but quickly moved on, diving into her plate.

"This is amazing," Adam said after the first bite. "If this is what you cook on a casual night, I'm terrified to know what you make when you're really trying."

Jenna smiled. "Maybe you'll find out someday."

Dinner stretched into a long conversation, laughter, and sleepy goodnights. The girls curled up in the living room surfing Netflix while Jenna and Adam lingered in the kitchen, nursing cups of tea.

"I needed this," Jenna admitted, stirring her spoon idly. "A night without... everything else."

Adam nodded. "You deserve more nights like this."

She met his gaze and found nothing but sincerity there. She smiled softly. A comfortable silence stretched between them. Later, after bidding him and Rhiann goodnight and watching their car disappear into the night, her heart felt light.

The next morning, Jenna was making coffee when Dani, scrolling through her phone, suddenly stiffened. "You need to see this."

Dani was intent on her phone, her face paling as she read the screen, a guilty expression crossing her face.

Jenna frowned. "Dani?"

Dani bit her lip. "I've... I've just been curious, that's all."

Jenna inhaled slowly. "What news?"

Dani turned the screen toward her, eyes wary. Jenna took the phone, scanning the headline:

Corporate Power Couple in the Making? Troy Bradshaw and Lila Whitmore Spotted in a Romantic Moment at Exclusive Gala.