Page 29 of Only After We Met

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Butterflies

Butterflies? For real? Ha ha ha ha. I’ll try to forget you wrote that. I do want to talk about the other thing, so you don’t act like an idiot if he does call you in a few months: Would you honestly go out with someone willing to have Lord Chocolate sleep with Lady Strawberry? I know everybody’s got their defects, but this is serious; it’s the kind of thing that will ruin a relationship at some point.

I don’t like what you were saying about the philosophy ofThe Little Princenot functioning in the real world. First of all, we live on the moon, and anything can happen there, right? If I’m honest with you though, I still haven’t read the book, so I have no idea what I’m saying. Either way, I don’t like to think anything’s impossible.

I’m glad Dean worked hard on your thing.

Don’t worry about me. I’m always good.

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: RE: Butterflies

Okay, I’ll take your advice and pay attention to a person’s taste in chocolate before committing to anything. I don’t want to get a divorce and go around telling people it was “irreconcilable strawberry-related differences” the way movie stars do.

Read the book. I’ll talk to you about it one day.

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: YESSSS!!!!!!

I aced all my subjects! I’ve never been so happy before.

And I’m ready to spend the summer forgetting everything I’ve learned.

Tonight I’m having dinner with Kate to say goodbye, because she’s leaving a few days early. I’m already packing my bags. If I’m less reachable the next few days, that’s why.

Take care. I don’t care what you say. I worry about you.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: RE: YESSSS!!!!!!

Congratulations, Ginger Snap. You deserve it.

Let me know when you’re home.

14

Ginger

I saw my sister, Donna, on the train platform and ran toward her like crazy, dragging my bags behind me. We hugged tight. I had the feeling that an eternity had passed since the last time we saw each other, even if really it was just a few months and we talked on the phone several times a week.

“You cut your hair!” I shouted.

“You like it?”

“I love it! But you didn’t tell me!”