Ginny is returning to Paradise for the first time in ten years and what she finds is that ten years is a long time. She is forced to face people that she's missed and people that she definitely hasn't.
Very much a Ginny-centric story, all of the relationships are fairly background. Relationships mentioned: Melanie/Dez, Sasha/ Roman, Boo/Carl.
Rated K+. Chapter titles are songs I listened to while writing the chapters.
How to be a Heartbreaker
"Ginny!" Boo exclaimed when she walked in the front door of Melanie's house, "I can't believe you actually came." Ginny found herself enveloped in a bear hug immediately. Sasha and Roman smirking at her all the while.
"Of course I came," Ginny said when Boo released her, "You're getting married. I would never miss that!" Another bone crushing hug.
Sasha gave a dramatic sigh, "I suppose my presence isn't quite as exciting. Maybe I shouldn't visit so much." Boo shook her head and then switched to hug her best friend.
"I'm so happy you both could come on such short notice," Boo covered her face with her hands, looking like bliss incarnate. It was another two hugs before Ginny noticed Carl was there, having taken up residence on the other side of the counter with Roman.
"Hey Carl," Ginny smiled at him, "Congratulations." Carl beamed at her, obviously just as excited as Boo. Conversation quickly devolved from wedding talk to what they all had to try at the Oyster Bar. Boo had just put out the new summer menu and she couldn't decide if she wanted to use any of the recipes for their reception.
"We'll just order one of everything, Boo," Melanie said as she descended the stairs back into the kitchen, "I'm totally starved anyway."
"That's perfect!" Boo bounced as she started to lead the small little group outside to the cars. Ginny handed Roman her keys when Carl offered to let them have a girl's night by taking Roman with him to bug Dez.
Melanie called after them before Sasha pulled her into the backseat, "Remind Dez to call Charlie! He hasn't told me what time he's coming in yet."
Ginny felt like she was sixteen again, though Boo was the one driving now, not Sasha, and it was Sasha in the backseat with her rather than Melanie. Boo was more than happy to tell her engagement story – Carl proposed by recreating the Fred and Ginger scene that brought them together.
"God, that's so cheesy," Sasha said, grinning. Boo looked hurt for half a second before she added, "And romantic."
"Anything is more romantic than elopement," Melanie said, looking pointedly at Sasha.
Sasha blushed, "Hey! We chose to do a Justice of the Peace, it was totally planned, not an elopement."
"Sure…" Melanie drew out the word, "Whatever you say Sasha." The group devolved into giggles until Sasha set her sights on revenge.
"What about you Mel?" Sasha leaned forward into the front seat, "You and Dez got anything in the works?"
Melanie shrugged, "Dez and I are pretty content, no need to rock the boat."
"Or give your parents an opening to plan a wedding for you?" Boo threw in, which Melanie's whole hearted agreement to brought another round of giggles, which didn't stop until well after dinner.
Ginny told a few stories about her boss and her attempts at dating in LA, Sasha talked about her time on Broadway. It was a beautiful evening. Ginny could almost pretend nothing had changed – but the delicious food sort of dispelled that charmed illusion.
"I can't believe you guys got a movie theatre, finally!" Sasha commented, half-drunk from her few glasses of wine. Boo wasn't long behind her. Melanie opted for water, as did Ginny, since she didn't really want Melanie to be the DD.
"I can't either," Melanie said, raising an eyebrow, "I didn't even know we had it till you pointed it out on the way in."
Sasha rolled her eyes, "How could you not know? Carl's the one that had to sign off on the loan to have it rebuilt." Ah yes, Carl Crammer, Financial Advisor and Loan Agent Extraordinaire at Paradise Savings and Loan.
"Even though we both live in Paradise we don't actually get together as much as we should," Boo explained, sticking up for Melanie.
"I barely make it in to town anymore at all," Melanie aided, "Dez usually grabs my food on his way back from work."
"He has time for other work, with all your projects?" Sasha asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Laughter rang out again as Melanie protested, "I don't make him do that much! It's like, one a year."
"It's not like he complains," Sasha shrugged, taking another sip of her wine.
"No, he's pretty great about it. Though I think a lot of it is just an attempt to get me to stay home and off the road," Melanie said.
"You're a really bad driver," Ginny said, with Boo nodding along, "So I can't blame him."
Sasha set her glass down, "I think I'm out guys, I'm gonna call Roman to come get us."
"Good plan," Melanie said, and the two got up, leaving Boo and Ginny alone. Instantly, Ginny was suspicious. Neither of them were particularly subtle.
"What's up?" Ginny asked, bracing for whatever was about to come out of Boo's mouth.
Boo sighed, her face losing its happy edge for the first time that night, "I have to talk to you about the wedding." Ginny raised an eyebrow, waiting, "Your dad is gonna be there, with Fay."
"Oh," Ginny said, her spine straightening reflexively at the very mention of her dad.
"I don't want it to be uncomfortable for you," Boo launched into what was sure to be a lengthy explanation, "It's just that he works with Carl at the bank – ."
"It's fine, Boo," Ginny placed a hand on Boo's shoulder to stop her, "I totally get it. The entire town is coming, he's part of the town. I'll be fine."
Boo took a breath, a smile coming back to her face quickly, "Thank you so much, Ginny, and you don't have to talk to him or anything. I just didn't want to blindside you."
"We're good, Boo, promise," Ginny smiled back and in a few short minutes Melanie and Sasha were back. Carl and Roman loaded their respective spouses, now starting to fade from their tipsy cheerfulness.
Roman handed Ginny back her keys, "Carl can give us a lift, you go ahead."
"Thanks," Ginny said, taking the keys and contemplating just driving back to LA.
At least until Melanie beat her to her car, "Shot gun!"
Ginny got in her car, sighing, "Everything's different now." Melanie seemed to expect this, no doubt because of the whole Fay and her dad thing. Or maybe Melanie was more observant, Ginny certainly wouldn't know.
"That happens when you leave for twelve years," Melanie reminded her. There was a slight edge to her voice, but Ginny could also hear a bit of humor. She smiled at her – did best friend still apply if you hadn't spoken in a decade?
"Ten, I came back sophomore year to help my mom move," Ginny corrected as she started the car.
"I remember," Melanie said as she stretched out in the passenger seat, "That was when the spawn was born."
Ginny looked over at Melanie quizzically for a moment, "The spawn?" She was sober, but it was late and she was tired, she didn't want to take her eyes off the road for too long.
"Your half-sister, that's what your mom called her when she found out Fay was pregnant."
Ginny shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. I haven't actually met her." In reality she'd completely forgot she had a half-sister. It was easy to forget all about her dad, even her mom, since she never talked to them.
"Seriously?" Melanie sounded genuinely surprised, and Ginny knew if she looked Melanie would probably be giving her a disappointed look. Boo certainly had the few times it had come up over the years.
"Dad sent photos when she was born, I sort of replied. But…"
Melanie stopped her, "It's weird." Ginny chanced a look and saw nothing but the usual Melanie face. She understood.
"Yeah. Has been since. Well, the divorce. The wedding."
"Frankie."
"Yeah."
"It's ok, Paradise isn't your home. And it's not like I made any effort to see you in LA either."
"Thanks," Ginny looked over to smile at Melanie.
Melanie made a face, "For what?"
"Making me feel a little less guilty," Ginny laughed.
Melanie waved her comment off, "My specialty. Ask Charlie."
"Charlie?" Ginny shook her head, "You know I still can't believe he comes back enough to keep stuff in your guest room."
Melanie scoffed, "I think he just likes the soundproofing and the soft mattress."
"What does he do?" Ginny twiddled her thumbs on the steering wheel as they came up on the turn that would take them into the woods where the dance studio was.
"He's a surgeon in LA. He comes out on the weekends he's not on call. Claims it's because our beach is cleaner and that the quiet helps him recharge, I think he just misses us though." Melanie sounded smug, and happy.
Ginny finally broached the topic she'd been wanting to ask about all day, "You and Dez?"
"Yeah, we all lived together for four years in San Diego," Melanie shrugged, "Dez and I sort of… Well, anyway, when I moved back after I finished my BA. Dez came with me. He built a house, I worked on my MBA, we moved in together." She paused for a moment, the added, "Charlie moved to LA the next year for med school or residency or something. I think he just finished it a year ago or something."
"SO, you guys are close now?" Ginny prodded her, still not able to wrap her head around the idea of the Segal siblings actually getting along.
"Eh. Dez is his best friend. I'm just tolerated. But yeah, we don't fight, as much."
"Dez doesn't like it when you two fight does he?" Ginny looked over at Melanie, expectant.
Melanie laughed, "Damn, how'd you know?" Ginny joined her. It was nice to be laughing with her friends again. She missed this.
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