I headed him off the path and directed him to the correct room. Stenton immediately started removing Jordan’s clothing as he was sprawled out on the bed, deep in slumber.
“No. She’s different,” he parroted.
“Different how, Stenton? Give me the heads up…this time, please!”
He paused for a minute to consider his words. I couldn’t ignore the waft of his cologne that did things to me. Things his girlfriend wouldn’t appreciate.
“Jenna’s cool…laid back. She doesn’t exactly do the social media thing. She’s not very...worldly.” He exhaled still trying to explain as I handed him Jordan’s pajamas. “I don’t have to be concerned about her living off my celebrity or indulging in the paparazzi type of life. She’s just…she’s just cool.”
I chewed on that for a bit, still not quite following him. I watched Stenton lower himself to Jordan on the bed and kiss his head goodnight. When he stood fully and peered down on me, my voice was robbed. I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t used to being around Stenton like this anymore.
Eventually, I settled on, “And even a ‘cool’ woman,” I used air quotations, “…would take advantage of this romantic ambiance.” I walked out of the door and could feel him on my heels.
On my way to the front of the villa, I heard, “Zoey, Jenna and I are not having sex tonight.”
I turned into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. “Clearly, because you’re here.”
“No,” Stenton amended soberly. “Jenna and I have never had sex.”
I turned to face him, I’m sure wearing an incredulous expression. “I don’t follow.” Stenton didn’t move, in fact, he deepened his communicative gaze. “I don’t believe you.”
He exhaled, almost appearing frustrated. “Come on, Zo. You’ve never known me to be a liar.”
I returned his gaze with my chin facing the floor. “No. But then again, look how I got in on this trip. Look at what you told her about me.”
Stenton didn’t move. And now I caught the intensity of his gaze. He was imploring me to believe him. He was confiding in me. But for what?
“Oh, my god.” I was gaining my senses. “But you guys have been together for almost a year, and you mean to tell me…”
Stenton immediately shook his head. I was dazed. Perplexed. How could he be with her that long without sex? I couldn’t understand Jenna’s angle. Stenton had never lied to me, but there were still questions running through my befuddled brain.
I felt his warm lips on my forehead as my sights were set to the floor. I was jarred. Had no idea what this meant or why he shared it with me in the first place, but I couldn’t formulate the words to ask.
“Good night, Zo. I’ll meet you guys at the beach first thing in the morning,” he murmured before kissing me once more and letting himself out.
I couldn’t shake my confusion. Couldn’t wrap my brain around what that all could mean. As I showered for bed and even when I hit the plush sheets, I pondered it all. Why did Stenton call me out here? Was it to finally say goodbye? That wouldn’t make sense. If it was at all necessary, it could’ve happened back home. I didn’t see Stenton; only spoke to him on occasion in passing about Jordan. I set up our lives so that he and Jordan could remain close and I could have my necessary distance from him. But if I would be honest with myself, I knew Stenton could have had me whenever he wanted, which was why the distance was important to me.