I'll make that my next quote of the day; would you mind?
Bea shrugged. Half the pearls of wisdom on your man-hating Web site are mine anyway.
And I've always given you the credit you deserve.
Bea waved her hand. More power to you. She sat on the edge of the bed. So, she said, examining Ginger. You look like you've been through the wringer. You sure you're okay?
I'm absolutely fine.
So what the hell happened? Roxanne asked.
Pretty much what Lucio said. Excuse me just a minute.
Ginger pressed the loose fabric to her chest, rose from the bed, and retreated into the dressing room. She quickly changed into a short batik skirt, sandals, and a scoop-neck T-shirt. She brushed out her hair and checked her reflection in the mirror.
Not bad, she decided, considering her recent journey to the brink. In factGinger peered closer into the mirror to be sureher eyes had a distinct sparkle to them. Her cheeks gave off a warm glow. Her lips were downright plump and rosy. It must be a hot flash, she decided, because she hadn't had a microderm abrasion since February, and hadn't yet gotten up the nerve to have lip augmentation. In fact, she hadn't touched her makeup for hours, not since she prepared to walk down the aisle ahead of Josie.
Ginger took one last glance in the mirror and let go with a contented sigh. Josie and Rick's ceremony had been the most beautiful wedding she'd ever witnessed, a real-life fairy tale. And, as she'd told Mrs. Needleman, she was ecstatic for Josie. Her friend had found true love with a truly good man, and there was no woman more deserving.
There is a man waiting for you He is out there You could still get lucky
Ginger smiled to herself at the entertaining coincidence of it all. The old lady had said those words, Ginger opened the door, and a man named Lucky was out there waiting for her. But that's all it was. A coincidence. She knew Gloria Needleman was a peculiar old lady, and Luckyno,
Lucio
was his real namewas just an old friend of Rick's who'd photographed the wedding. She wouldn't give it any more credence than that. Ginger didn't have time for a silly fantasy, no matter how tall, dark, and hot he was.
Or what a stupendous kisser he was.
Or how his accent melted her insides.
Or the way a strange crackle of electricity shot through her skin when he touched her.
Her friends were talking quietly when Ginger returned to the room, and by the way they abruptly ended their conversation, Ginger figured she'd been the topic.
Are you sure you're all right? Roxanne asked. You want to file charges?
Ginger shook her head. My dress was too tight and I fainted. He came to my aid. There's no crime in that.
Bea rolled her eyes dramatically. Looks like the buffet is officially open!
I can take care of myself, you know, Ginger said, shaking her head with amusement. Besides, I thought we learned our lesson about butting into other people's businessour interference almost ruined Josie's life! And here you are, ready to do the same with me? Am I going to find you two under the tree outside my window, like we did to Josie?
Roxanne's mouth opened, insulted. You were just as much a part of that as we were, and you know we had only the best intentions.
Yeah, Bea said. And I still believe there's a fine line between butting into someone's business and making sure a dear friend doesn't commit the hugest mistake of her life.
You're twenty years late on that one, Ginger said with a laugh, opening the door for them. Where were you the night I met Larry Garrison at a fraternity kegger?
Ginger's friends entered the hallway, but Roxanne turned around, narrowing her eyes. You're going to go after Lucio, aren't you?
Ginger shrugged. If I happen to see him before we leave tomorrow, I'll thank him. But I'm not going to make a big deal of it.
Oh, Lord, Bea said, rolling her eyes again.
Ginger smiled. See you for dinner about seven.
Once alone, Ginger turned off the lamp by the bed and went to the open balcony doors.
Bea shrugged. Half the pearls of wisdom on your man-hating Web site are mine anyway.
And I've always given you the credit you deserve.
Bea waved her hand. More power to you. She sat on the edge of the bed. So, she said, examining Ginger. You look like you've been through the wringer. You sure you're okay?
I'm absolutely fine.
So what the hell happened? Roxanne asked.
Pretty much what Lucio said. Excuse me just a minute.
Ginger pressed the loose fabric to her chest, rose from the bed, and retreated into the dressing room. She quickly changed into a short batik skirt, sandals, and a scoop-neck T-shirt. She brushed out her hair and checked her reflection in the mirror.
Not bad, she decided, considering her recent journey to the brink. In factGinger peered closer into the mirror to be sureher eyes had a distinct sparkle to them. Her cheeks gave off a warm glow. Her lips were downright plump and rosy. It must be a hot flash, she decided, because she hadn't had a microderm abrasion since February, and hadn't yet gotten up the nerve to have lip augmentation. In fact, she hadn't touched her makeup for hours, not since she prepared to walk down the aisle ahead of Josie.
Ginger took one last glance in the mirror and let go with a contented sigh. Josie and Rick's ceremony had been the most beautiful wedding she'd ever witnessed, a real-life fairy tale. And, as she'd told Mrs. Needleman, she was ecstatic for Josie. Her friend had found true love with a truly good man, and there was no woman more deserving.
There is a man waiting for you He is out there You could still get lucky
Ginger smiled to herself at the entertaining coincidence of it all. The old lady had said those words, Ginger opened the door, and a man named Lucky was out there waiting for her. But that's all it was. A coincidence. She knew Gloria Needleman was a peculiar old lady, and Luckyno,
Lucio
was his real namewas just an old friend of Rick's who'd photographed the wedding. She wouldn't give it any more credence than that. Ginger didn't have time for a silly fantasy, no matter how tall, dark, and hot he was.
Or what a stupendous kisser he was.
Or how his accent melted her insides.
Or the way a strange crackle of electricity shot through her skin when he touched her.
Her friends were talking quietly when Ginger returned to the room, and by the way they abruptly ended their conversation, Ginger figured she'd been the topic.
Are you sure you're all right? Roxanne asked. You want to file charges?
Ginger shook her head. My dress was too tight and I fainted. He came to my aid. There's no crime in that.
Bea rolled her eyes dramatically. Looks like the buffet is officially open!
I can take care of myself, you know, Ginger said, shaking her head with amusement. Besides, I thought we learned our lesson about butting into other people's businessour interference almost ruined Josie's life! And here you are, ready to do the same with me? Am I going to find you two under the tree outside my window, like we did to Josie?
Roxanne's mouth opened, insulted. You were just as much a part of that as we were, and you know we had only the best intentions.
Yeah, Bea said. And I still believe there's a fine line between butting into someone's business and making sure a dear friend doesn't commit the hugest mistake of her life.
You're twenty years late on that one, Ginger said with a laugh, opening the door for them. Where were you the night I met Larry Garrison at a fraternity kegger?
Ginger's friends entered the hallway, but Roxanne turned around, narrowing her eyes. You're going to go after Lucio, aren't you?
Ginger shrugged. If I happen to see him before we leave tomorrow, I'll thank him. But I'm not going to make a big deal of it.
Oh, Lord, Bea said, rolling her eyes again.
Ginger smiled. See you for dinner about seven.
Once alone, Ginger turned off the lamp by the bed and went to the open balcony doors.
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