I stayed with Mom at Grandma’s longer than we had planned, but I talked to Ginger and Leo every single day.
I went on one date while I was there, but honestly, my heart wasn’t in it at all.
“Someone’s been watching the girl while she plays violin,” Leo told me over video.
“I noticed a guy in a hoodie and jeans a few days ago.
Tall, like you.”
“Does Ginger know?” I asked.
Leo nodded.
“She says a few words to him, but I doubt he’s her boyfriend,” Leo said.
“The guy touches her shoulder occasionally, but that’s about it.”
“I’m coming home tomorrow.
I’ll find out who this guy is.”
“Cas,” Leo asked, “why do you care so much about this girl?”
“She’s my roommate,” I shrugged.
I knew from Bob that Ginger really had been going to the gym every Sunday, and after his constant prodding, I decided I was going to ask her out.
If he was wrong about her feelings, I’d take it out on Bob later.
Once Grandma accepted a nurse to help her until her leg healed, we flew back home.
Nothing in the apartment had changed.
Ginger arrived just a few minutes after I did.
“Cas,” she smiled, “did you have a good trip?” I nodded.
She unpacked her bag and pulled out Chinese food.
“In honor of your homecoming, this is dinner,” she smiled.
“Marco and I picked it up on the way back.”
“Marco?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Marco,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Ike, the bistro owner, hired him so I wouldn’t have to stay away for weeks,” she laughed.
“He was losing money while I was gone, so he’d rather pay Marco to escort me.”
This was clearly the guy Leo had mentioned.
“Are we going to work out on Sunday?” I asked.
She nodded.
“And after that, we’re going out to dinner,” I said.
She just smiled and nodded again.
It was time to lay my feelings on the line, or Bob was never going to get off my back.
“I always forget,” I said while we were eating.
“Can you show me the signed book?” She nodded, walked over to the bookshelf, and returned with a yellow-covered book, sitting down across from me.
She handed over my own novel.
I flipped it open.
“To the red-headed Ginger, Sincerely, D.L.
Math,” I read aloud.
Since I always have headphones on during signings, I never have a clue what people are saying to me, and I didn’t remember Ginger at all—but that was definitely my handwriting.
“Jealous, huh?” she asked with a smile.
I just nodded.
Right then, I got a text from Mom saying that the family lunch this weekend would be at a restaurant because we were having a guest.
I assumed Aunt Estelle was introducing someone new, as she occasionally did.
That weekend, I dressed in my usual casual elegance and drove my convertible to a very fancy, expensive restaurant.
Ginger was also getting ready to meet up with her friend.
My parents, Evander, and Destiny were already waiting in a private room.
I was in a good mood; tomorrow, I was officially taking Ginger on a date, even if she didn’t know it yet.
“What’s with all the fanfare?” I asked.
“Benjamin is introducing his girlfriend,” Dad said cheerfully.
“He’s been mentioning it for days; he was just waiting for you guys to get home.”
“I thought a restaurant would be less formal for a first meeting than the house,” Mom said enthusiastically.
“Supposedly, they’ve been dating for months.”
“Do we know who she is?” I asked curiously.
Every one of Ben’s previous girlfriends had been just like Destiny—the only difference was that they got caught.
“Her name is Virginia,” Mom said.
“And he asked us not to nag them about a wedding because she’s a bit younger and the relationship is still new.”
“Am I late?” Aunt Estelle’s voice sounded behind me.
“He invited you, too?” I asked, surprised.
“I wouldn’t miss it, Cas—just like I won’t miss yours,” she laughed.
“It’s just a girl, not an engagement,” I remarked.
Benjamin had surely struck out again; we’ll have forgotten all about Virginia in a few weeks.