Page 63 of Already Home

“My practice doesn’t define my personal life,” Ellington said,still looking comfortable.

“We’re having an unusual dinner tonight,” Jenna said, pickingup a tortilla chip. “Indian-Mexican food.”

“Sounds great,” Violet said, confident anything her friendcooked would be amazing.

Cliff barely acknowledged Jenna’s comment. “You’ve probablybeen to India,” he said.

Ellington shrugged. “Yes. Several times.”

“What do you think about it?”

“I found a lot of beauty and peace there.”

“I thought it was crowded and dirty.”

“There are challenges in the country. Poverty. But it is one ofthe most spiritual places I’ve ever been. There’s a sense of unity there that Ihaven’t experienced in my other travels.”

“I’d rather have a five-star restaurant and an ATM.”

“They’re good, too,” Ellington said.

Violet was confused. It was almost as if Cliff was drunk. Buthe’d barely sipped his margarita. She glanced at Jenna, but her friend lookedcompletely calm, as if nothing unusual was happening.

As she clutched her glass, she couldn’t help hoping she was theonly one who was uncomfortable.

* * *

Jenna stood in her kitchen and wondered what she wassupposed to say. On the one hand, dinner had been everything she’d hoped for,and she was practically floating with happiness. On the other hand, the companyhad been less than perfect.

This was her first time meeting Cliff. The way Violet hadtalked about him, she had expected a charming, funny guy. But the man with herfriend had been more than difficult. He’d been rude and challenging, acting asif Ellington was little more than a medical con man.

The most unexpected part of the evening hadn’t been her food.Later she would revel in her cooking experiment being delicious. Taking a chancehad felt good. Right.

But Ellington had overshadowed even that. Talk about a pleasantsurprise. Not just good-looking, but nice and smart and tolerant of Cliff. Aaronwould have thrown a fit and stormed out. Ellington had seemed more amused thaninsulted.

She leaned against the counter and looked at him.

“I’m genuinely speechless, which doesn’t happen often.”

Ellington smiled. “Impossible. I haven’t kissed you yet. That’swhen you’re supposed to become speechless.”

She laughed. “I meant about tonight. I’ve never met Cliffbefore. He wasn’t what I expected.”

Ellington shrugged. “A lot of people are threatened or confusedby what I do. They make assumptions. Cliff was trying to impress Violet.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be? I had a great time with you. I wish we’d hadmore time to talk privately.”

“Me, too.” Although that was her fault. She hadn’t thought shewould have such chemistry with Ellington, so she’d gone out of her way to keepthe evening casual and anything but private. Once she’d found out he was a localcelebrity, she’d wanted to run for the hills.

It said something to her about her ability to judge firstimpressions.

“How about trying this again Friday night?” he asked. “Just thetwo of us.”

She shook her head, feeling more than a little regret. “Ican’t. I’m working.”

“I thought you owned a kitchen store.”

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