Page 76 of Only After We Met

“I don’t really see the problem. You’ve got tights and a dress. It’s fine.”

“Very funny, Rhys. I wish I could cry.”

I tried not to laugh. I wanted to hug her just then. “Let’s focus on what to do now. Put on what you have. Look in your purse for a piece of paper, and write him a note. I’d leave it in the kitchen by the coffee machine. That never fails.”

“I see you’re an expert.”

“Been there, done that, Ginger Snap.”

“Rhys, that sounds so…”

“Like a pro, right? Are you dressed yet?”

“Not like a pro, like a dirtbag, that’s what I meant. Yes. I’m dressed.”

“Okay. Where are you now?”

“In the bathroom on the second floor. I haven’t moved from here since I called. So I’m going to go downstairs and pray the steps don’t creak. I didn’t notice when we were coming up. Here I go.”

I heard her take a breath and start moving.

“All good?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m in the kitchen now. Writing.”

“Add a little kiss mark.”

She clicked her tongue, but I think she listened to me. Then I heard steps again, and she didn’t say anything as she walked out the door. I think that’s what she was doing—I heard it close.

“There it is! I’m out, Rhys!”

“Now’s the part where he sees you from the window…”

She screeched and I laughed again. She was so…her.

“I’m going to see if I can find a taxi stand.”

“Be careful. It must be getting late there.”

“Yeah.” All I could hear was the echo of steps on the sidewalk. “Thanks for this, Rhys. I was getting a little nervous in there. I mean, I get that it shouldn’t be that hard to leave a note and go, but I felt…blocked. Trapped or something.”

I took a deep breath, feeling my chest rise and fall.

The murmur of the waves, her voice like a song…

“Was the night as good as you’d hoped?”

“I think so. I mean, yeah. Right, so I see a taxi stand, but there’s no one here. I don’t want to keep you on any longer, Rhys. You’ve done enough. I’ll write you tomorrow, okay?”

“No. Don’t hang up. I’ll wait with you.”

“There’s no need,” Ginger replied.

“It’ll make me feel better.”

“As you wish…” she sighed.

“So it was as good as you’d hoped.”