Read Online Already Home by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page A

“It’s okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Nothing on the other woman’s face gave away what she was thinking, but Jenna knew she’d hurt her.
    â€œNo, wait. I’d love to get a margarita.”
    â€œYou don’t have to.”
    â€œI want to. I got caught up in thinking about my ex. Don’t ask me how. Sometimes my brain is a scary place.”
    â€œMine, too.” Violet smiled. “Let’s go.”
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    â€œI swear, if you can figure out what they put in their nachos, I’ll give you my life savings.” Violet grabbed another chip as she spoke.
    Jenna eyed the plate in front of them, then smiled. “How much do you have in your savings?”
    Violet laughed. “Not much, but there would be gratitude, too.”
    â€œWell, if there’s gratitude, how can I say no?”
    â€œSeriously?” Violet asked. “You could make these?”
    â€œSure. Re-creating a recipe isn’t that hard.”
    â€œMaybe not for you. I’ve tried a couple of times and I can’t do it.”
    â€œI’ll show you how.”
    Violet looked both pleased and surprised. “That’s really nice of you.”
    â€œHardly. You’re saving my business. I seriously owe you.”
    â€œI’m helping. There’s a difference.”
    Not in this case, Jenna thought, but she wasn’t going to push. She didn’t want to make Violet uncomfortable.
    She took a sip of her margarita and glanced around the bar. It was big and open, with dark wood beams and ceiling fans. There wasn’t a huge crowd yet, but she saw plenty of people and conversation.
    She felt good, she realized. She had a plan to get the store up and running.
    â€œI like all the changes we’ve come up with,” she said, grabbing another chip. “Now if only I hadn’t screwed up in the first place.”
    â€œYou’re really hard on yourself,” Violet said.
    â€œNo, I’m…” Jenna pressed her lips together. “Maybe I am. An old habit.” She thought about how critical she was of herself. “I wish I could blame my parents, but I can’t.”
    â€œI know your mom’s great.”
    â€œMy dad’s just as supportive. I didn’t grow up feeling like I was always wrong. I was pretty normal.”
    Violet glanced at her. “Tell me what normal is like.”
    â€œYou say that like you don’t know.”
    Violet hesitated. “Everyone’s normal is different. What was yours?”
    Jenna wanted to talk about Violet instead but had the feeling it wasn’t good to push. “Usual high school experience. Some fun, plenty of angst. I went to college, joined a sorority, couldn’t pick a major. Nothing really appealed to me.” She wrinkled her nose. “I got tired of the liberal arts classes. By my second year, I was spending more time in the house kitchen than anywhere else. That summer I had a long talk with my parents about my future. I wasn’t sure what to do.” She smiled. “My dad is the one who suggested culinary school.”
    â€œSmart man.”
    â€œHe is. I was stunned, but it felt right. I headed off to Dallas and discovered I loved to cook. The classes were great. I stayed an extra semester just so I could learn more. I had several job offers when I graduated. I took one in Phoenix—mostly to live somewhere different. I was working at a restaurant when I met Aaron.”
    â€œWhat’s he like?”
    â€œCharming,” she admitted. “He’s the guy who walks in the room and knows exactly what to say to everyone. He can convince you of anything. I loved being around him, but at the same time when I was with him I felt different. I can’t explain it.”
    Violet picked up her margarita. “Less shiny?”
    Jenna considered the description. “Yes. That’s it. I felt less than I’d been before. Looking back I can see that he