Page 19 of Baby, It’s Hotter Inside

“Oh for fucks sake.”

“I told Ginger to ask you about it before she believed it, because Chelsea is a liar, but I’m guessing that didn’t happen.”

I shake my head. “No. She just dismissed me.”

Annie blows out a breath. “Okay, what you need to know about Ginger is that her college boyfriend really screwed her over. Not only did he string her along—while screwing around on her—but when he finally broke things off he told her that she’d never be anyone’s first choice. She’d always be the rebound girl or an alternate, never the first pick.”

“What a dick!”

“Right. But that kind of stuff gets into your head. Even someone as centered as Ginger. Something about his words rang true for her, and I think Chelsea managed to hit on that.”

“But she is my choice. Even without Ginger, I wouldn’t want Chelsea again. But Ginger...” I wipe my hands down my face. “She’s amazing. I want a shot with her.”

“Then make her believe that.”

My heart speeds. Yeah, that’s what I need to do. I need to convince her. “How do I do that?”

“Figure out a way to let her know that you pick her. That she’s the one you want,” Annie says. Then she pats my shoulder. “Good luck. I’m rooting for you.”

“Heh...yeah, thanks.” Now I just need to find the perfect way to tell Ginger she belongs with me.

chapter eleven

Ginger

Sometime around five that afternoon I managed to stop crying long enough to get the redness out of my eyes and reapply some light make-up. Waterproof mascara this time. Just in case. I’m wearing my favorite jeans and Christmas t-shirt and I’m determined to enjoy tonight. Or at least survive until I can get back to my tiny apartment and be alone.

Pretty much the entire town of Sand Dollar has shown up for tonight’s festivities and we’re all gathered on the town square. A million twinkle lights surround us and it’s hard not to feel a little holiday spirit. We’re standing in front of the gazebo waiting for the mayor to give a speech and then my mom is going to say some words about the fundraising and the silent auction going on.

Suddenly, the lights go black and there’s a collective groan in the crowd. I glance around trying to locate my mom, but I can’t really see much of anything. Annie is standing next to me and she grabs my elbow.

“I’m sure it’s just a glitch,” she says.

Then I hear the beginning sounds of the most annoying Christmas song ever. The bells and then Mariah Carey’s voice declaring she doesn’t want a lot for Christmas. A spotlight hits the center of the gazebo which is used as a stage for events like this. Someone slides out onto the stage wearing a Santa costume.

I know that’s not our mayor because this Santa is thin and fit. “What is going on?”

“Something special,” Annie says.

The spotlight zooms in and I realize that’s Brock up there. It’s not a full-blown Santa suit, or at least it’s the suit, only minus the beard and fat belly and he’s lip synching “All I Want For Christmas.”

“What is he doing?”

“I believe he figured out how to make his choice known.”

I glance over at Annie, because her words don’t make any sense. But she’s pushing me forward until I’m at the front of the crowd, standing right in front of the steps to the gazebo.

Brock continues to lip synch and dance around, the spotlight following him. And his eyes never leave my face. Then his voice rings out, singing along about how he wants me for his own. How I’m the only thing he wants for Christmas.

He’s pointing at me while wiggling his hips. Then he jumps down from the gazebo and pulls me in his arms. The spotlight follows him and now shines down on us.

“Ginger Starr, I’m falling fast and hard for you and I want a real shot. I want us to be together.”

My breath stops. Or maybe that was my heart. I hope I’m not blacking out at a time like this. I search his face and find only sincerity in his gaze. “What about Chelsea?”

“What about her?” He cups my face, looks into my eyes. “Do you really think I would have made love to you last night if it meant nothing to me? Did it feel like nothing to you?”

I shake my head. Tears are gathering in my eyes and I hate the fact that all of my emotions are processed through my damn tear ducts. “It felt like way more than nothing.” It felt like everything.