Page 44 of Already Home

She collected her purse and stood. “Mark, you’re really, um,unexpected. I appreciate the offer, but I can’t right now.”

“Want to go make out in my car? I bet I could change yourmind.”

“Flattering, but no. I guess I’m not ready for a reboundguy.”

He stood. “I understand.” He reached into his jacket pocket andpulled out a business card. After writing on it, he handed it to her. “I’vegiven you my cell phone number. When you change your mind, give me a call.”

He moved toward her, put one hand on her shoulder and bent tokiss her. While her instinct was to turn her head, she stayed where she was ashis mouth brushed against hers.

The contact was soft and exploring. And she felt nothing. Yup—ahasty retreat was exactly right.

He straightened enough to whisper, “I make house calls.”

“Good to know.” She turned to leave, then looked back at him.“You going after the hostess?”

He chuckled. “Sure. Did you get a look at her ass?”

“No.”

“It’s impressive,” he said with a wink.

“Okay, then.” Jenna couldn’t find it in her heart to be angry.Violet had promised a player who was good in bed and that’s who Mark was. Therewas an ick factor she couldn’t overcome, but he was probably exactly what someother woman was looking for.

Once she got to her car, she grabbed her cell.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mom. Are you and Dad up for some company?”

“Of course. Have you eaten?”

“No. Are there leftovers?”

“Yes, although I doubt they’re up to your standards.”

“They’ll be perfect. See you in a bit.”

She hung up, then started her car and drove the familiar routeto her parents’ house. Beth was waiting and opened the front door before Jennacould ring the bell.

Her mother took in the dress, the fluffy hair and extra makeup.“You look pretty. Were you on a date?”

“If that’s what you want to call it.”

Beth grinned. “Really? That’s wonderful. Tell me everything.”Her smile faded. “Wait. If you’re done already, it didn’t go well, did it?”

“Not exactly.”

“Come on, honey. We’ll go in the kitchen and you can talk aboutit. I warned your father there might be girl talk, so he found a baseball gameto watch.”

Jenna loved everything about being in the house. It was warmand welcoming, happy and familiar. Her mother settled on a bar stool in thekitchen while Jenna pulled containers of leftovers from the stainless steelrefrigerator.

As she turned on the oven and reviewed the leftover potential,she explained Violet’s theory of rebound guy.

“Makes sense,” her mother said. “You don’t want to get serioustoo quickly.”

“I guess.” Jenna checked the vegetable drawer for herbs andpulled out some fresh basil. “But Dr. Mark was a pro.”

She detailed her date as she got out a premade single-servingpizza crust from the pantry, then smoothed on the leftovers. After topping itwith grated mozzarella, she added fresh basil, then put the whole thing in theoven.

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