Page 76 of Already Home

She recognized him immediately from the pictures Serenity hadbrought to the brunch.

“I know you,” she said.

He flashed her a smile then, one that looked exactly likeTom’s.

“So you’re feeling it then,” he said. “The connection? Ourfamilial oneness?”

She laughed. “Actually I recognize you from a picture yourmother showed me. Hello, Dragon.”

“Hey, sis. I’m glad it was a picture because, honestly, theoneness thing is so last year.”

She laughed. “It’s nice to meet you. What are you doinghere?”

“I came to meet you. Sorry it’s so late, but my flight wasdelayed. I would have waited until morning but my curiosity got the better ofme.”

Jenna studied her clean-cut brother. He seemed so normal. “Wantto come in? I can make you something to eat.”

“That would be great, if you’re sure? Mom said you were a chef.Very convenient. I’ll bet you never go hungry.”

“And you do?” She led the way through the garage and into thehouse.

“Not now, but when I was a kid, it was a nightmare. All thatvegan food.” He shuddered. “I started working in the vineyards when I was sevenjust to earn money. I told my parents it was for comic books but it was reallyso I could buy my lunch at school. No kid wants lentil loaf in his lunchbox.”

She set down her purse in the living room and made her way intothe kitchen. “What happened to the connection that flows between us?”

He grinned and took a seat on one of the bar stools next to theisland. “Total crap,” he admitted cheerfully. “I’m a constant disappointment tomy parents. Now, Wolf is perfect. Totally into everything organic. I’m the bad,nonorganic seed in the family.”

Jenna checked her refrigerator. “I could make you chickenpiccata over angel-hair pasta with asparagus. How does that sound?”

“If you weren’t my sister, I’d kiss you. I’m sorry I didn’tbring wine.”

She motioned to the small under-counter cellar. “Helpyourself.”

He did as she suggested, pouring them each a glass. Because shehad been so busy talking with Ellington that she hadn’t even finished her wineat dinner, she accepted and took a sip. Then she got to work, making themeal.

“Mom said you were on a date,” Dragon said as he took his seatagain. “As your brother, I don’t want any details. I’m not looking for moreresponsibility in my life.”

“What responsibility would you have?”

“Beating him up if he hurt you.”

The matter-of-fact tone was kind of comforting. She finishedbuttering bread from a baguette she’d bought, then squeezed on crushed garlic,topped it with fresh Parmesan cheese and popped the slices into the broiler.

“I already know everything about you,” he continued. “Mom’sbeen making regular calls. You probably want to know about me.”

Jenna finished pounding the chicken and dredged it in flour.“Every detail,” she told him, holding in her amusement.

“Well, I’m a lawyer. Corporate. When I first said I wanted togo to law school, my parents expected me to study something like immigration lawand then spend my career working for earnest praise.”

“Not your style?”

“Hardly. I’m corporate all the way. Gotta pay for the steaksand fancy car some way. It’s worked out great for me. I’m in San Francisco. Doyou know what it’s like to be successful and straight in that town? It’s good tobe me.”

She supposed Dragon could easily fall into the arrogant jerkcategory, but he was so at ease with himself that she couldn’t help likinghim.

“Trust me,” he added. “I’m due. Growing up with a name likeDragonfly wasn’t easy. I got beat up on a regular basis.”

She turned the lightly browning chicken and added the pasta tothe water. The diced asparagus would be parboiled and served on the side. Whilehe was talking, she pulled out the browned garlic bread.

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