Page 77 of Already Home

“Something to keep you from fainting while the rest of thiscooks,” she said.

He took a bite, then moaned. “Amazing,” he mumbled over hisfood. “I saw you make this in, what, a minute? I can’t believe how good itis.”

“You’re an easy audience,” she said.

“That’s what all the girls tell me.”

Jenna laughed. “I’m sure there are dozens.”

“Of course. Although lately...” His voice trailed off.

She squeezed lemon juice into the pan. “No way. Don’t tell meyou’re thinking of settling down.”

“Maybe. I’m nearly thirty. Wolf is married and Jasmine ispregnant.”

“Jasmine?”

Dragon grinned. “They’re perfect for each other. Jasmine nevermet a bean sprout she didn’t like. Her nose wrinkles when I walk in the house,like she can smell the animal products on me. But she’s sweet and pretty. Wolfruns the winery.” He grabbed for his glass. “You know about that, right?”

“Butterfly Wines?” she asked drily.

“It’s not like they named it after me.”

“I wish they had. And Butterfly?”

“Hey, you’re complaining to the wrong guy. Do you know what itwas like the first day of school?”

“Sorry, no, but I can imagine.”

She dropped the asparagus into the boiling water in the smallpot, then dumped the pasta into a colander. While it drained, she stirred thesauce, spooning it over the chicken.

“We’re ready,” she said and grabbed a plate from thecupboard.

After scooping pasta onto the plate, she collected the chickenbreast and poured the sauce over it. By then the asparagus was done. She dasheda little extra virgin olive oil onto the pasta, topped it with grated cheese andpassed it to him.

“Enjoy,” she said. “Oh. Flatware.”

She handed him a knife, fork and napkin, then took the seatnext to him.

“It’ll get cold,” she said, when he didn’t move to take abite.

“I know, but I’m savoring the moment. This looks great, smellsbetter. If I could meet a girl who cooks like this, I would so marry her.”

“You’re easy.”

“Tell me about it.” He cut into the chicken. “The boyfriend.What does he do?”

She hesitated.

Dragon chewed and swallowed, then looked at her. “What? It’snot a difficult question.”

“He’s a naturopath.”

Dragon groaned. “Let me guess. Mom introduced you.”

“Yes, but he’s really nice and smart. He went to Harvardmedical school.”

“I’m a Yale man, myself.”

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