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“Okay, well, how ‘bout I come by and pick you up. We can grab a bite to eat and head over afterwards.”
“Can I meet you? I…I’m not home.”
“Where are you?”
I couldn’t tell him I was at Dr. Carr’s office. My weekly sessions were common knowledge. If I told him I’d come in for an additional session, he’d ask why, and I didn’t want to get into that.
“Just out running errands. Where do you want to meet?”
“Flying Biscuit on Piedmont.”
After hanging up, I took a few steady breaths before heading out to meet him.
Chapter 3
Malcolm
I sat in my truck in the parking lot behind the restaurant while I waited on Ginger. Turning up the radio, I rested my head against the black leather headrest and started jamming along to Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty to Me.” A few minutes later I heard a tapping on my window. I looked over to see Ginger’s smiling face. She stepped back as I opened the door.
“Having a dance party?”
“Nope. Practicing up for my career as a rapper,” I responded, and leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Well, don’t quit your day job just yet,” she replied, smoothing down the back of her hair.
I reached out to touch one of the shortened strands. I remembered the shock I’d had the first time I saw her after she’d hacked it all off. The cut she wore now looked cute on her, but I liked it longer.
“Are you ever going to let it grow out?”
She shrugged and took a step back. “This is really easy to care for. Why? You don’t like it?” She ran her fingers down the back of her head again.
I grabbed her hand and kissed the palm. “I like it just fine. Come on, I’m starving.”
I held her hand while we walked the short distance to the front entrance. Luckily, we’d missed the morning rush, which meant we got seated without having to wait. The windows were open, allowing for a cross breeze to flow through. The lively sounds of Piedmont Ave. drifted in, drowning out the music playing from the speakers.
Ginger twirled the ring around her finger while she looked over the menu. She’d moved it to the right hand, but at least she still wore it. That fact alone made me happy. The waiter came and brought two glasses of water.
“What?” she asked when she saw me staring.
“Nothing.”
“Then what’s with the goofy grin?”
“This face does sexy, handsome, irresistible, and several other looks, but never goofy.”
She hid behind her hands and started laughing. “You’re such a weirdo,” she said, reaching for her water glass.
I leaned forward and took ahold of her hands. “Yeah, but I’m your weirdo.”
The smile dropped from her face, and she eased free from my grasp.
She picked up her menu and used it like a shield. “I think I want the organic pancakes.”
After we placed our orders, I noticed Ginger kept her hands in her lap, and out of my reach. Just like last night, I wanted to say something but didn’t.
“So, how long will your parents keep Lil man?” I asked.
She shrugged. “They’re never in any rush to give him back, but I’m gonna pick him up after we tour your house.”
