Page 101 of Already Home

As the sun slowly set, someone turned on the lights. Jennaleaned against the counter and watched, not exactly sure where she fit in, butknowing being here now was starting to feel more right.

Sixteen

“I love the responsibility,” Violet said.“Running the store. It’s great.”

“You’re doing good work,” Cliff told her, the words right, buthis expression more tense than happy.

They were sitting at her small dining room table, having dinnertogether in her apartment. Since Jenna left, Violet hadn’t had as much freetime, but as always, Cliff had been understanding. Or so she’d thought. He’dbeen acting strange tonight.

“I wasn’t even looking to change jobs, but when I saw Jenna’sad, something inside of me said I needed to go there and talk to her. Do youever get that? A feeling in your gut?”

Cliff stared at her without answering.

She raised her eyebrows. “Are you still with me?”

He shrugged. “I was thinking about something else. So is all ofJenna’s family with her in Napa?”

“Her whole birth family.”

“Even Dragon?”

Violet couldn’t remember if she’d mentioned Jenna’s brother.“Yes. He’s there. Why?”

“He sent you a text message.”

Her first instinct was to get pissed that Cliff had looked ather phone. Then she reminded herself that they were in a relationship and thatshe’d been the one to leave her phone out on the counter. Mostly so she couldgrab it in case Jenna called to ask about the store.

“He wanted to know how you were doing,” Cliff continued,something flashing in his eyes. “So you’re seeing him?”

“I’m not. I’ve met him and he’s nice enough, but he lives inSan Francisco.”

The second she said it, she knew it was wrong. “Not that Iwould be interested in him if he was here.”

Cliff stared at her for a long time, then returned hisattention to his dinner.

Silence filled the room.

She felt guilty, even though she hadn’t done anything wrong,and a little annoyed.

She stood and walked around to his chair. After taking his handin hers, she pulled him to his feet.

“I’m not seeing Dragon,” she said. “He’s my boss’sbrother.”

“He texted you.”

He was jealous and insecure. If the situation were reversed,she would probably feel the same way.

“He can text all he wants,” she told him. “I’munavailable.”

Cliff studied her for several seconds, then he lowered hismouth to hers.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself over tohis kisses.

They were making progress, she thought as she parted her lips.Every time they were together, she felt a little bit more. It was as if her bodywas awakening, inch by inch. Last time they’d made love, she’d actually becomearoused and had been eager for him to be inside of her.

Sometimes she thought about telling Cliff the truth. That sexwas more difficult for her because of her past. That she held back and it took alot for her to trust enough to let go. She wanted to be honest—to have all thebarriers between them gone—but she wasn’t ready. Probably because she knew herpast would be a game-changer. Once he knew the truth, he would be gone.

She’d tried to tell herself that a man who wouldn’t accept allof her wasn’t worth having. But then she thought about how nice he was, how hewas so different from anyone she’d ever gone out with, and she put it off for awhile longer. But soon, she thought.

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