AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So was the whole thing set up?” Being in the entertainment industry, Ginny knew that most things were scripted. She suspended belief when she watched the shows, but she’d always been curious about that one because it had seemed so genuine.
“Noooo,” Krista shook her head. “That was happening in real life and real time.”
“I loved that finale. Do you think they would possibly agree to be interviewed?”
“I’ll ask. They’re a little busy because their wedding is in a few months, but even if they can’t fit it in, I’ve got plenty of backups with great happily-ever-after stories. Chase and I were high school sweethearts but he left town abruptly and we didn’t speak for years and only reunited because his mom, that I think you met, was having health issues. I never got over him, and he never got over me.
“My sister Jessie met her hubby when she went to an open house and the owners of the brownstone, Mable and Margie or the M&M sisters told them they only wanted to rent the place to a couple. So Zach and Jessie pretended to be just that.
“Then there’s Haley, whose house we’re at. It used to just be her husband Eddie’s house. Eddie was a single dad and she was in love with him for years, even babysat his daughter Emily when Eddie would go on dates. It was kind of pathetic, in my opinion, but it all worked out. She got her man, she’s an amazing stepmom and I’ve never seen her happier.
“And that’s just my sisters, my cousins all have amazing love stories too. Not to mention the older generation. My parents and Sophie’s parents Mike and Grace have been together forever and Grandpa J was married for like sixty years I think, he loves talking about Marie, I’m sure he’d let you interview him.”
“Great!” Ginny hoped that her media training was still in full affect and she hadn’t had any reaction when Krista had said his name.
She suddenly felt like an impostor. Like she was here under false pretenses. Which, was kind of true. Chances were, if she’d never seen the picture on Chase’s Facebook page, she might not have made time in her schedule to come to the grand reopening. If she hadn’t played that night she never would have come back for Stephanie’s birthday. She never would have started talking to Dax that night about houses and renovations and gone back to his house where she fell madly in crush with him. And she most likely wouldn’t have sent her mom on a month-long honeymoon out of the country so she could come here alone.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Krista leaned forward and lowered her voice. “The reason I came over here is because I have a favor to ask you.”
“Sure,” Ginny said, possibly a little too brightly. Maybe her media training wasn’t that great after all.
***
Dax watched Ginny from across the room, or tent as it were, while he finished his conversation with Seth regarding the new developments in his assignment. She was at their table talking to Krista. They were huddled together and she was smiling but something was off with her. Something had been off with her since they left Chase’s studio.
On the way home she’d been quiet, but he figured that she might be tired after working in the studio all day. But when they’d stopped by the house to change and let Capone out, she’d barely said two words. Well, to him anyway. She’d had a lot to say to Capone. She’d told him she missed him, that he was a good boy, that she wished she could take him to the dinner, that she was so sorry they were leaving him again but she would bring him a treat. Again, he felt jealous of his dog.
Then on the drive to Eddie and Haley’s house he’d asked her about the trip to the grocery store. Asked her if she’d talked to anyone other than Jules and told them where she was staying. She’d answered him but had almost sounded defensive about it.
His first thought was that maybe she had social anxiety. But he’d dismissed that theory because he’d seen her at The Plate with large crowds around her and she’d been in her element. Tonight she was distracted and anxious.
He’d asked her if she wanted to go several times since they’d arrived and she hadn’t wanted to. But even when she’d declined leaving, something felt off to him.
“All right, man. Keep me updated.” Seth slapped his shoulder before heading back to his wife.
Dax pushed off the bar he’d been posted at and he was headed back to Ginny when Riley stepped in front of him.
“Nothing going on, huh?”
He appreciated that Riley wasn’t big on small talk, but he really didn’t want to get into this now. “No.”
“You haven’t stopped staring at her all night.”
“I’m on the job.” Dax knew that Riley was going to call bullshit on him, but he didn’t care. Technically, it was his job. He was hired to protect her.
“You always drink when you’re on the job?” Riley motioned to the beer Dax was holding.
“You know what I mean.” They both knew that he wasn’t “on the job” right now. This was technically after hours.
“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Haley called out from the front of the tent. When the room quieted down she continued. “Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate my mom Sandy’s birthday. She is the most selfless, amazing woman I know. She would do anything for anyone and always puts everyone else’s needs before her own. So I’m happy to announce that tonight we have a special guest who happens to be her favorite singer.”
“Hey!” Chase called out and laughter filled the tent.
“Sorry, Chase. Favorite female singer,” Haley qualified as she chuckled. “Virginia Valentine has agreed to lead us in Happy Birthday.”
Applause erupted and Krista lifted a birthday cake topped with lit candles in the air as Ginny stood and started singing. Dax had heard the birthday song hundreds of times in his life, but never like this. The soulful and pure quality in her voice washed over him. She was so talented, so beautiful, so hard working, humble and sweet. The more he got to know her the more amazing she turned out to be.
After a few bars she waved her arms and the crowd joined her. When Sandy blew out the candles, she thanked Ginny and everyone for being there and then moved to the dance floor and asked everyone to join her. Chelle appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Riley, tugging him onto the dance floor, saving Dax from more grilling.
