Page 96 of Already Home

She made an X over her left breast. “I swear.”

They stopped at a diner with big windows and comfy booths. Theyboth asked for burgers with the works, an order of fries and an order of onionrings to share. Dragon pulled two small disposable toothbrushes out of his shirtpocket and waved them.

“For after,” he said. “Mom can smell meat on my breath from amile away. When I was a kid, I tried chewing grass to disguise what I’d beeneating, but it never worked.”

She stared at him. “You’re what? Thirty? A successful attorneywho has his own life. Can’t you simply tell her this is your choice and to layoff you?”

He scrunched his face and shook his head. “I don’t think so.When was the last time you really stood up to your mother? How did that work foryou?”

“Good point.”

Dragon sighed. “I’m saying it all wrong. Mom is great. I jokeabout her, but seriously, she couldn’t have been more supportive. Maybe I didn’talways love the food, but there was lots of freedom at our house. There werejust enough rules to keep us safe, but otherwise, we got to do what we wanted. Iknew whatever happened, whatever I chose, she would be there for me.”

“I’ve heard Serenity talk about you and Wolf. It’s obvious howmuch she loves you both.”

“We love her and Dad just as much.”

The waitress brought their sodas.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the family home,” Jenna said.“From what I’ve heard, it’s beautiful.”

“You’ll like it. It’s big and bright, with lots of windows.Nearly all the materials are recycled, which gives the place a lot ofcharacter.” He grinned. “Wolf is just like Mom and Dad. Totally organic,vegan.”

“I heard Jasmine weaves her own cloth.”

“Oh, yeah. She’s currently weaving diapers from organic,unbleached cotton. She’s sweet enough, but not my style.” His gaze sharpenedslightly. “How’s Violet?”

“Still seeing Cliff.”

“Bummer. Let me know if they break up.”

While she kind of liked the idea of Violet dating her brother,it wasn’t what she would call a practical relationship. “You live a thousandmiles from her.”

“For the right motivation, I could move.”

She raised her eyebrows. “That’s a long way to go to getlaid.”

He fell back in the booth, his hands spread across his chest.“You wound me. I’m a good guy.”

“You’re a hound dog. You sleep with women because you can.”

“I’m looking to change. I’m older now.” He grinned. “Not as oldas you, of course.”

“Of course.”

“I liked her.”

“If you tell me the universe said she was the one, I’m notsharing my onion rings with you.”

“The universe and I don’t talk much. I just liked Violet. Iwant to get to know her better. I could get a temporary assignment in Austin andsee where things went.”

Which all sounded nice, but as much as she liked Dragon, shecouldn’t help wondering if he was all flash and no substance.

“Have you ever been in a serious relationship?” she asked.

He sighed. “Once. College. She was brilliant. My age, but in amaster’s program. I was crazy about her. But I was eighteen, newly freed fromparental restrictions. My big plan was to finish my freshman year with decentgrades. She was graduating and heading off to Europe to work for NATO. Icouldn’t be what she needed. She married a Swedish prince or something.”

She stared at him. “Is any part of your story true?”

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