Page 44 of Suddenly Single
They had sent a new email just last night, entreating Elizabetta a second time to come to Lake Haven.
“But now, we think not of me, but of you, Jenny Turner. Now is the time to catch the fish. Now is the time we—”
“Hold it right there,” she said, holding up a spatula. “I think we’ve taken the jealousy thing far enough. I’ll take it from here.”
“You?” He laughed roundly. “You know nothing of this. You arebambinowhen it comes to the heart.I have a plan—”
“No plans!” Jenny said firmly.“Whatever happens, happens.It’s bad karma to interfere with fate. Sometimes, you have to go with the flow.”
Lorenzo sighed.“All my hard work, and you will toss it away like a bothersome feather.” He swiped another nutball and munched it sorrowfully. “Remember, Jenny Turner, if Eddy thinks you pursue him, he will run like the fox.”
“I’m notpursuinghim,” she insisted. She didn’t know what exactly she was doing, but she didn’t want Lorenzo orchestrating anything. She would work it out herself. Except that she had no plan for how to proceed with Edan.None whatsoever.But she had a plan! It was a different plan, and where Edan fit into it, who knew? She had to let the chips fall where they may.
She’d talked to her dad last night. He’d enthusiastically encouraged her to pursue her idea, to bring him some information.So she’d casually spoken to a Realtor this morning in a fact-finding mode.Jenny was determined to go for it, to buy this inn. The desire was growing in her every moment.
She was still mulling it over later that evening after the dining room had closed and Lorenzo had gone off in search of a pub, and she’d decided to take advantage of a perfectly lovely summer’s evening to walk off the generous portion of Scottish salmon and potatoes she’d had.And a few too many nutballs, if she was being honest.
She’d made it to the top of the hill when her phone began to jingle in her pocket. “Hi Vanessa,” she said when she answered.
“Hello, Jennerator,” Vanessa said cheerfully.“Still feeling the magic out there in the hinterlands?”
Jenny smiled thinly.“If you called to lecture me—”
“I didn’t! I am calling to talk to you about a job!”
She announced it as if Jenny had just won theReader’s Digestsweepstakes.
“I have these clients with a chain of coffee shops.Morning Joes, they’re called. They just opened one in Santa Monica, and they are looking for management staff. So I told them about you and guess what.They’re interested.”
“Wow,” Jenny said.
“You’d be perfect for it, Jenny,” Vanessa said enthusiastically.“You’re so good with people.And you have such a creative mind. I know you could think of ways to bring in business.”
“What, like classes on existentialism in the evenings or something like that?” Jenny tossed out there.
“Well, maybe not that class exactly, but yes, creative,” Vanessa said.
Jenny was only half joking.That actually sounded like a great idea. She could do something like that here, on the first tee. “Thanks, Vanessa.I really appreciate it.”
“Of course, they’ll have to vet you. I told them you’re on sabbatical and I made it sound fancy, because that’s what I do for my friends.And they said sure, of course.But I don’t think you can hang out there forever if you’re interested.When should I tell them you’ll be back?”
“About that,” Jenny said, and squeezed her eyes shut a moment. “I’m not sure I’ll be back.”
That was met with silence.And then, “Why?”
“Because I am thinking of buying this inn,” Jenny said, plunging right in. “It’s going on the market soon.”
“What?” Vanessa cried. “Are you crazy?”
“I don’t think so,” Jenny answered honestly.
“Jenny!” Vanessa said sternly, and proceeded with the harangue Jenny knew she’d get from all her friends. Vanessa pointed out how ill-equipped Jenny was to take on an inn, that she knew nothing about running a business, how flighty she could be in most things, and how she could not simply quit an inn she’d bought if she didn’t like it.
When she’d finished, or had paused to take a breath, Jenny didn’t know, as she’d stopped listening, Jenny said with a calmness she didn’t feel, “Thanks for you concern, V.Seriously.I know you mean well, but this time, I know what I’m doing.”
“Oh, Jenny,” Vanessa said wearily, as if Jenny were the child who continued to disappoint her.
Jenny felt teary all of a sudden.She had the best friends in the world—but they were wrong about her.She bit back her tears and said, “Love you, man.”
