You break the ice with Jenna

You were planning to talk to Jenna anyways to clear the air and decide to approach her.

“Hey, can we have a chat?” You ask Jenna.

Jenna looks guarded. She has her arms crossed. She appeared defensive like a girl at a bar trying to get a guy to leave her alone or getting ready to reject him.

“Yeah… okay,” Jenna says, surveying the area for probable exits.

“Look, I know you aren’t all great about me picking you, but I just want you to know that I’m not expecting anything from you, so you don’t have to worry about that.” You tell her.

“It’s not that. You seem like a nice guy,” Jenna says and hesitates to try to find the words, “I just really wanted to find a guy, and like... you... aren't my type.”

The words stung, but you manage to accept this. You remind yourself of the money, and you aren’t here to play the game and just keep moving forward.

“That’s perfectly fine. The coupling is just a formality. If new guys come in or if you want to talk to other guys like Tom, then by all means,” You say and smile and then come into a whisper. “Between you and me, I’m kind of a joke contestant. I’m really only here for the money and free vacation.”

“Oh,” Jenna said and looked relieved. Buzz! “How did you get on the show? No offense, but you don’t really seem like the type…”

“None taken. I filled out an application as a joke. Next thing you know, I was dragged to headquarters, where they pitched me on the idea of being on this to draw in viewers. I needed the money, so here I am humiliating myself on TV,” You say and then added, “What about you, Jenna? You don’t look like you really need help finding a guy.”

Buzz!

“I was recruited by a friend of the casting director. I’m actually a flight attendant, so I’m usually traveling a lot or working to have more than small flings, so it would be nice to find a meaningful relationship,” Jenna said. As she started talking about her work, she opened up more. Her arms once guarded, relaxed, and you could feel the space between you close.

You just have to make sure she knows you're not after her or expecting anything from her, so she doesn’t feel bad about not recoupling or ditching you for another guy.

“So… what kind of girls are you into?” Jenna asked as we started getting to know each other.

“Me? I’m into any girl that shows me the least bit of attention,” You say, laughing. She joins in as well. “What about you? What kind of girls are you into?”

“Girls?” She asked, laughing.

“Hey, it is the modern age. No, but seriously, are you into guys like Tom?”

“I really like tall guys. And guys, I can get along with and have a good conversation with,” Jenna says. “Tom is hot, though. So is Mike. Like they are totally my type on paper.”

“I can’t blame you. If I were a girl I’d be fawning over those guys too,” You say.

“It’s not just looks,” Jenna interrupts me. A look of defensiveness over her as she somehow seems to think you implied she was shallow. “They just seem so confident, you know. Like they know what they are doing.”

“Would you feel the same way about them if they looked like me?” You asked.

Jenna thinks. “Maybe? Like you just didn’t seem sure of yourself when you came out…”

“It’s hard to be confident when you are surrounded by tens, and you’re a five.” You say.

“A five? You aren’t a five Matt. You are at least a seven,” Jenna says and pats you on the shoulder. “On the outside world, if you came up to me and made me laugh, I’d consider it.”

You look appraisingly at her to see if she’s telling you the truth. She seemed sincere. You both smile at each other and sit down at the pool. Your feet dangling over the edge and into the water.

“You didn’t tell me what you do for a living, Matt,” Jenna asks.

Uh oh.

“I’m a store clerk,” You say. What's the point in lying about it? You weren't playing the game remember?

“Oh…” Jenna says, and you can see faint hint of disgust appear on her face before it disappears quickly. Buzzzzzzz!

“Is that it? You go to school or have any other hobbies?” Jenna asks you.

“Well…” You say.