Money ruled the world, and she had none. It had made her weak. Every dime she saved made her stronger, more able to see herself going back to Kentucky to have the life she wanted.
It had been a godsend that Penni’s network of friends included Gianna. Penni had mentioned that her friend had been looking for a roommate. Ginny had her suspicion that Penni asked Gianna when Mouth2Mouth decided to take a break from touring. When the band was on break, Ginny met her a couple of times at Penni’s house. It was easy to like the woman who reminded her a lot of Beth. She seemed very professional, nice, fun, and friendly.
Living with her had been the complete opposite of living with Bliss. Gianna had gone out of her way to make her feel comfortable, opening her life to her as if Ginny had always been a part of it. So far, the only drawback of living with her was her inability to find a job in Queen City while the band was on break, so she was having to dip into her savings. Usually when she was on a layover, she just rented an extended stay room at a hotel for the week or two in whatever city they’d stopped. Living with Gianna, she was paying more for rent. So, unless she found a job quickly, she would go through her savings and watch it slip through her fingers.
“Which band member do you like best?”
“They’re all pretty cool.” Absently answering her question, Ginny wiggled her toes to get her nails to dry faster.
“D’mon is my favorite. What’s he like?”
“I don’t know much about him, other than he can’t stand mayo on his sandwiches. I really didn’t have much contact with them personally. They travel on their own bus, and they don’t spend much time in the kitchen area of the venues during the concerts.”
“Didn’t you try to chill with any of them?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I wasn’t interested.”
Disbelieving, Gianna threw a cotton ball at her. “Why the hell not?”
“Because I wasn’t.”
“Do you have a boyfriend back in Kentucky?”
“No.”
“You getting over a broken heart?” That question gave her pause. Ginny didn’t want to seem crazy by giving Gianna the same answer she had given Trudy when she had asked why she hadn’t been attracted to anyone.
“I just haven’t found the person who makes my heart go crazy.”
“Maybe you have, and you don’t know because you don’t hang out with them.”
“Maybe.” Ginny didn’t think so, but she agreed in hopes that Gianna would stop her line of questioning.
She gave her a little nudge to direct her away. “How about you? Is your boyfriend the one?”
Gianna frowned. “Depends if he gets around to proposing to me when he finishes his PhD. If not, then this girl will be moving on to brighter skies.”
“You’re going to break up with him if he doesn’t propose?”
“In a heartbeat. Don’t you want to get married?”
“I wouldn’t need a ring to know someone loves me.”
“It’s not about the ring; it’s about the commitment.” Twisting the cap back on the bottle, Gianna picked up a magazine from the coffee table to angrily fan her toenails.
“I agree.”
She stopped waving the magazine. “You do?”
“Commitment is very important.” Ginny agreed. “I just wouldn’t need a ring as proof.”
“I do.”
Ginny was surprised her nails weren’t dry as fast as Gianna’s was with her waving the magazine at them.
“I don’t. But then, I’m not the one with a boyfriend.” Ginny nodded sagely. “I could change my mind when I do.”
“Did you feel that way when you did have a boyfriend?”
“I never had one. Never been out on a date either.”
Gianna gaped at her. “Never?”
“Never.”
“I’m going to cry.” Gianna changed the direction of the air flow toward her face.
“Why? I didn’t say I hadn’t been asked out, just that I haven’t gone.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I haven’t been interested in anyone who asked.”
“I bet if D’mon asked, you’d be interested.”
Ginny turned the television on, avoiding the conversation.
Gianna jerked the remote out of her hand, turning it off. “D’mon asked you out, didn’t he? And you turned him down?” she shrieked.
“I wasn’t interested.”
“Any woman from the age of thirteen through older-than-dirt would be interested in him.”
“It’s cute how you’re starting up my Kentucky sayings.”
Ginny dodge the magazine Gianna threw at her.
“Next time he asks you out, give him my number, because I’m pretty fucking interested in him.”
“I’m getting the message,” Ginny teased. “Where’s all that talk of commitment you wanted from Chris?”
Gianna wiggled her left hand in front of her face. “You see a ring on this finger?”
“No.”
“Then hook a girl up … please.” Gianna pressed her hands together and steepled them like she was praying.
Ginny rolled her eyes. “If he calls me again, I will. Can I have the remote back now? I want to watch Slaughter Under the Mistletoe.”