Already Home. Susan Mallery
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stared around at the piles of merchandise. “It’s going to get better, right? If it’s not, it’s okay to lie to me and say it is.”
Violet uncapped her bottle and took a drink. “It’s going to be great. You’ll see. In the future, the boxes will only arrive a few at a time. That makes it easier.”
“I hope so. The worst I’ve had to deal with in a restaurant is finding out the beef I ordered hadn’t been butchered.”
Violet stared at her. “As in it was still a cow?”
“Practically. I had to prepare all the steaks myself. Let me just say, making tomahawks all afternoon strains the wrist.”
Violet must have looked blank because Jenna added, “It’s rib eye steak with a frenched rib bone.”
“Right.” As if that made anything more clear, Violet thought. “Does being able to cut your own steaks make you more or less popular with the guys?”
Jenna grinned. “It was important to prove myself in the kitchen. A little butchering can go a long way.” Her smile faded. “I was always better at that than Aaron. Probably another reason why things didn’t work out.” She stared at her Snapple for a second, before raising her head. “I’m in the middle of a divorce. Paperwork is signed. We’re waiting out the time.”
A divorce. Violet hadn’t seen that one coming. “I’m sorry,” she said automatically. “Do you miss him?”
Jenna shrugged. “You’d think I would.” She paused, as if thinking. “I miss what used to be good. When we worked together. In the past year or so, I couldn’t do anything right. Or so he said.”
Jenna stopped talking abruptly, as if she hadn’t meant to say that much.
“I know what you mean,” Violet said quickly. “I’m a total disaster when it comes to men. I’m always picking the wrong one. If I’m attracted to a guy, run far and fast. He’s a loser. Probably an unemployed loser who will charm you out of every penny you have.” Or worse. But she had no reason to admit that. At least not on her first day.
“My new plan is to not date,” she finished with a shrug.
“Ever?”
“I wish, but I’ll give in. This time I’m determined to get it right,” Violet said. “I’m going to keep saying no until I’m sure. Except all the ones I say no to turn out to be great. My radar sucks. I guess next time I need to say yes when I want to say no. Reverse psychology and all that.”
Jenna raised her perfectly plucked eyebrows. “You get asked out a lot?”
“Sure. Hourly. Don’t you?”
“Not exactly.”
Violet didn’t believe that. Jenna was that irresistible combination of fire and class. “Maybe because you were married.”
“I don’t think so. Guys are rarely interested in me.”
Violet nearly choked on her drink. “Then you’re not paying attention. Trust me, men are interested.”
“I’m sort of avoiding men right now,” Jenna admitted. “Aaron cheated, so I’m being cautious.”
Her ex had cheated? Violet had to consciously keep her mouth from dropping open. If a guy would cheat on someone like Jenna, what chance did the rest of them have?
Someone tapped on the front door, then pushed it open. “Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Jenna stood gracefully and crossed to the other woman. “Perfect timing. We were just taking a break.”
As Violet watched, the two women embraced.
They couldn’t have been more different. Jenna was tall and thin, with fiery auburn hair. The other woman, older, was a petite, curvy blonde with big blue eyes and a ready smile. Violet had seen enough fake relationships to recognize real affection, maybe even love, when she saw it.
She’d already guessed their connection when Jenna turned and said, “Violet, this is my mom, Beth Stevens. Mom, this is Violet.”
Violet scrambled to her feet and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Stevens.”
“Beth, please.” The other woman shook her hand, then touched the half dozen or so silver bracelets on Violet’s wrist. “I love these.” She fingered the black leather woven through a thick chain. “Do you change the cord?”
“I could but I usually don’t.”
“I should wear something like that.”
Violet did her best not to look surprised. Beth was elegantly dressed in tailored pants and a fitted long-sleeved shirt that had more than a passing resemblance to silk. Her jewelry was delicate and understated, except for a honking big diamond next to an eternity wedding band. Violet would guess the watch alone would cover her rent for close to a year.
So this was how the other half lived, she thought, curious rather than envious.
Beth studied Violet’s face. “You’ve conquered the smoky eye,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve tried and tried. I end up looking tired or as if I have makeup smudged over half my face.” She wrinkled her pert nose. “I suppose I should let it go. I suspect the smoky eye look is like a miniskirt. Ridiculous after a certain age.”
Before Violet could figure out what to say, Beth had linked arms with her. “So what are you two girls up to? Unpacking, obviously. Is it coming together?”
Jenna explained about the chart on the wall and how the store would be set up. Violet was caught up in the maternal hold of a woman she’d barely met. Normally she didn’t like to be touched by strangers. An unexpected backlash, given her previous profession. But there was something warm and welcoming about Beth. As if she were the kind of woman who took in strays of all kinds.
“I love the kitchen,” Beth said, leading Violet toward the rear of the store. “People are going to be so excited to learn new cooking techniques. With you right there, they can practice until they get it right.”
“Jenna’s going to be doing the cooking,” Violet said, not surprised that Beth had assumed the customers would get to do it. That was the plan that made the most sense. It was easy for people to drift away from a cooking demonstration.
“Oh.” Beth glanced at her daughter. “That will work, too, I’m sure.”
Jenna shifted uncomfortably. For a second, Violet almost felt sorry for her. Retail was its own world and not an easy place for the inexperienced. Wouldn’t Jenna have done better to open a restaurant? That was her area of expertise.
“Look at the beautiful ceramic bowls Jenna picked out,” Violet said, leading Beth toward a row of shelves. “Don’t you love how the colors pop?”
“They’re perfect. Very cheerful.” Beth smiled at her daughter. “You’re going to do very well here. I can feel it.”
“I hope so.” Jenna drew her brows together, looking more determined than optimistic.
Beth squeezed Violet’s arm, then released her. “I have a few errands to run, then I thought I’d get you girls some sandwiches.” She picked up her purse and pulled out a pad of paper. “Order away.”
After writing down what they would like, Beth hugged Jenna, then surprised Violet by giving her a quick squeeze, as well.
“I’m off.” She grinned at Violet. “You’ve inspired me to buy black leather.”
Jenna laughed. “Mom, that may not be a good thing.”
“I think I’ll let your father decide that. Back in a flash.”
Beth left in a swirl of perfume with the door clicking shut behind her.
“We need a bell for the door,” Violet said absently, thinking