Page 19 of Already Home

Violet hesitated. “Everyone’s normal is different. What wasyours?”

Jenna wanted to talk about Violet instead but had the feelingit wasn’t good to push. “Usual high school experience. Some fun, plenty ofangst. I went to college, joined a sorority, couldn’t pick a major. Nothingreally appealed to me.” She wrinkled her nose. “I got tired of the liberal artsclasses. By my second year, I was spending more time in the house kitchen thananywhere else. That summer I had a long talk with my parents about my future. Iwasn’t sure what to do.” She smiled. “My dad is the one who suggested culinaryschool.”

“Smart man.”

“He is. I was stunned, but it felt right. I headed off toDallas and discovered I loved to cook. The classes were great. I stayed an extrasemester 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 arestaurant when I met Aaron.”

“What’s he like?”

“Charming,” she admitted. “He’s the guy who walks in the roomand knows exactly what to say to everyone. He can convince you of anything. Iloved being around him, but at the same time when I was with him I feltdifferent. I can’t explain it.”

Violet picked up her margarita. “Less shiny?”

Jenna considered the description. “Yes. That’s it. I felt lessthan I’d been before. Looking back I can see that he wasn’t especially brilliantin the kitchen, but he convinced us all he was. For years, I told myself Icouldn’t keep up. I guess that’s when I started putting myself down.”

She hesitated. “I used to be so inventive in my cooking. Aaronwould pick my ideas apart, make me feel they weren’t any good, then a few weekslater, they would show up on the menu. When I asked about that, he said he’dmade changes, improved them. But I wasn’t ever sure he did. I used to takechances.”

She pressed her lips together. “Sorry. Too muchinformation.”

“It’s not. What you’re saying makes a lot of sense.”

“You mean it explains why I’m not willing to do anythingwithout charts and a plan? Structure makes me feel safe. It wasn’t always thatway.”

Violet eyed her over the glass. “Don’t take this wrong, but Idon’t think you started it. I’ll bet it was Aaron.”

“You think?”

Jenna thought about their relationship. She wanted to say he’dalways been there for her. That he was supportive. But she knew it wasn’ttrue.

“He wanted me to be less than him,” she said slowly.

“Maybe you scared him.”

“Nothing scared Aaron.”

“Everyone is afraid of something.” Violet spoke with aconfidence Jenna envied. “If a guy pretends he’s not, he’s faking it. Trust me.I have experience when it comes to lousy guys. Show me a nice guy who wants totake me out and treat me well and I yawn. Parade a few losers in front of me andI can’t get there fast enough.”

“That’s not good,” Jenna said.

“Tell me about it. I have a whole list of wonderful men I’m notthe least bit interested in. When you’re ready for rebound guy, just let meknow. I can suggest a couple dozen.”

Jenna laughed. “I’m not the rebound guy type.”

“Sure you are. Everyone is. It’s kind of required. You’ve endedone relationship and you need to think about starting the next. Rebound guygives you confidence.”

“What does he get out of it?”

“Sex with minimal effort. Guys love that.”

Jenna shifted in her seat. “I’ve never been much of a guymagnet. I’m not sure rebound guy will be worth the effort it’ll take to gethim.”

Violet raised her dark eyebrows. “Have you looked in the mirrorlately? The effort we’re talking about is little more than wearing a short skirtand smiling.”

If only, Jenna thought wryly. “I’m not good with guys.”

“I doubt that, but even if it’s true, it doesn’t matter. Therebound relationship is about having fun. You get out there and remind yourselfthat yes, you can have a good time with someone else. You go out a couple oftimes, have hot sex, wake up feeling refreshed and move on.”

Jenna wondered what Violet would say if she confessed to thefact that she’d only been with one other guy before Aaron. The thought of sexwith a stranger was terrifying.

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