As much as she trusted Chase as a producer, an artist and a person, her career was in such a state of flux that she wasn’t sure rocking the boat was really the right thing to do.
“Let me think about it,” she said as a knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” he called out.
“Hey, party people,” Chase’s gorgeous wife Krista came in with Dax behind her. “Look who I found lurking in the hallway.”
“I’m on duty,” Dax clarified as he stood next to the door.
Her heart started beating double time as she looked up at him. His presence overwhelmed her. He carried an air of authority that made her stomach do somersaults. She’d seen him hours before but she was struck once again with just how flat out, drop dead sexy he was.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Krista’s long red hair fell over her shoulder as she leaned down and kissed her husband. “But we have mom’s birthday dinner at Haley and Eddie’s.”
“Oh, is it that late?” Chase checked his phone.
“Yep.” Krista popped the p sound.
Chase shook his head in disbelief. “I lost track of time. We were working on a song…”
“You don’t have to come if you guys are still working,” Krista offered.
Ginny had been in this business long enough to see spouses that said things like that but didn’t mean it. But it really seemed that Krista was being genuine. It was nice to see a couple with that dynamic.
“We actually just finished up.” Ginny grabbed her bag and stood.
It was the truth, they had just finished the song. Although before Dax had walked in she could have easily worked another twelve hours. Now that she saw him again, she realized that she’d missed him. She’d never been happy to leave the studio before, but she had to admit she was looking forward to going home with him.
“Hey, do you guys want to come to dinner?” Krista asked.
“Oh, no. That’s okay. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Believe me, you wouldn’t be. My family is so big, two more people is nothing.” Krista clapped her hands together. “Plus, my mom is a huge fan and she was so bummed that she was sick and couldn’t make it to the reopening.”
Ginny looked at Dax to see what he wanted to do. The left corner of his mouth twitched, it was barely perceivable but she noticed it. Like he was saying that whatever she wanted was okay with him.
Krista continued, “It’s her fiftieth birthday. This would be the best surprise for her!”
“If you’re sure it won’t be an imposition.” Ginny turned back to Krista and Chase.
“Not at all! This is great!” Krista smiled widely.
As the four of them made their way out Krista started running down all the people that were planning on attending. Ginny was trying her best to pay attention but she was distracted. When she’d walked out the door Dax had placed his hand on her lower back. It had only been for a moment, but she could still feel the imprint of his palm and fingers through the cotton of her shirt.
After Krista had listed off her sisters and their families and her cousins and their families she took a breath and Ginny thought she was done but she snapped her fingers. “Oh, and of course my Uncle Bob and his new wife Pam who is Katie’s mom will be there. And probably Sophie’s parents Mike and Grace and Grandpa J.”
“Grandpa J?” Ginny hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
“Yeah, he’s technically only Sophie’s Grandpa but he’s kind of adopted the entire town, right guys?” She looked over her shoulder at Chase and Dax who were walking behind them.
“The Colonel is the best,” Chase agreed.
“The guys all call him The Colonel, but the girls call him Grandpa J,” Krista explained and then continued talking about what they would be eating and the outdoor heated tent that was set up in her sister’s backyard.
Ginny didn’t hear any of it. The only thought in her mind was that Grandpa J would be there tonight. All her life she’d wondered about her dad. Wished she could solve the mystery of where she came from. Now, she was the closest she’d ever been to that being a reality.
So why did she feel like she was going to throw up?