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From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: We found it!
We got an office, Rhys! We got it! Amazing, right? Kate’s the one who found it. It’s in Clapham. It’s a nice area; it’s not far from central London. I’m so happy! You’ve got to see it; I’ll send photos. For now, I’m leaving the address below so you can look it up on Google Maps. It’s the redbrick four-story building. We’re on the top floor, but it’s almost better, because Kate can go out on the balcony and smoke whenever she feels like it. My father’s going to hook us up with free cabinets! He actually seems excited about the project. I mean, we all are. I hope I don’t get disappointed.
I think you are already at the festival, right?
Did it go well? Were there lots of people?
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: [No subject]
Amazing, amazing, amazing…
Just so great… Cool, Ginger!
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: [No subject]
Wow. Thanks for the enthusiasm.
Are you drunk, Rhys?
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: [No subject]
Sorry. Yeah, I was a little drunk when I wrote you last night. I got to the hotel in the morning after spinning and having a little fun afterward. Alec and some friends came with me, and it was…intense. But good. There were tons of people. All shouting my name. Can you believe it? I’m still trying to process it. I can’t get used to it.
I’m so happy about the office. I looked at it online. The building looks great, and so does the area and the café downstairs. Congratulations, Ginger. You’re living your dreams… So nice about your dad too. Just great.
I’m going to stay here a few more days.
I’ll write you when I’m back on the island.
Kisses. Kisses.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Mommying you
I know you’re going to roll your eyes when you read this, but I’m not sure Alec and the rest are good company for you. Don’t get offended, but they seem like they’re wasting their lives, and I don’t want them to drag you down too.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Moms are boring
Wasting their lives? They’re just having fun.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Fun?
I’m sorry, I didn’t know having fun meant sticking whatever up your nose so you could stop being yourself. I’m just naive. I’ll tell Donna right now to go buy a couple of grams for tonight so we can celebrate getting two desks for the office.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: Fun?
Do you realize how old you sound?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: Fun?
I don’t sound old, Rhys; I’m worried about you. I avoided this subject on purpose, just like all the others I avoid with you, because I didn’t want to argue. But I worry about something happening to you. I think sometimes you’re not aware enough of things.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Relax
Ginger, I’m fine. Better than ever.
And I’m not going to let anyone drag me anywhere.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Relax
Does that mean you didn’t take anything?
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: Relax
Ginger…best not to talk about that. Just trust me, okay? Can you do that? And let’s catch up on more pleasant things. Like your pretty little office. Will it take much longer till it’s ready? Whatever happened with the distributor?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Routine
Whatever happened to that friend of yours you went to college with? The one who lived in LA and was a lawyer. His name was Logan, right? Don’t you talk to him anymore?
Yeah, all our plans are keeping us busy; that’s why I’ve had less time to write you. And when I get home, my sister and Kate suck up all the time I used to have for myself, either convincing me to make a real dinner instead of something premade or else watch a movie. Lately the days are just flying by. Especially now, with Christmas right around the corner. I still haven’t bought any presents. Every year I tell myself I’ll give myself extra days to do it, and every year I find myself with a week to go and it still hanging over my head.
I do trust you, Rhys. But that doesn’t make me worry any less.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Congratulations, Ginger Snap!
Happy birthday! How does twenty-four feel? Especially now that you’re a businesswoman…is it very different from twenty-three? I hope so. Last year around this time, you were so down, remember? You hated getting up every day and going to work, and you wanted to kill Dean half the time.
Now, let’s hope every year is better than the last.
And that you go on living your dreams.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I’m happy
Thanks, Rhys. You’re right, things have changed a lot in just a year, haven’t they? I remember perfectly everything you’re describing. It was at Christmas dinner last year that Dean announced he was marrying Stella, and I…all I could think about was you and how I wished you were there. I don’t think I ever told you that. Maybe because you were busy with Alexa. Yeah.
Anyway, I’m much happier now.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: I’m happy
Do I detect a hint of jealousy?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I admit it
I was jealous. Past tense. Guilty as charged. Alexa made me a little jealous. But I also just didn’t believe her. I heard your interview on the radio, and she didn’t seem like a bad chick, but she was too enthusiastic, like she was exaggerating. Just too much, you know? I don’t think she was a fit for you.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Interesting…
So what’s a fit for me?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Interesting…
I don’t know, Rhys. I have no idea.
If I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t even see you in a serious relationship. But that must be because I’ve never heard of you being in one. I mean, it’s hard to imagine things you’ve never seen before, right? That’s all.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Good luck!
I just wanted to wish you good luck (or is it “break a leg” for musicians?) at the NYE party tonight. I hope it’s amazing, Rhys. I suppose you’ve been busy between the trip and getting ready for everything. Hopefully next year is full of good things for you. For both of us. Another thing: thanks for my birthday present! It came yesterday, and it’s perfect! Pajamas with smiling spaghetti on them! I’ll never take them off. Plus they’re so warm…