Page 70 of Checking Mr. Wrong
It’s not like I don’t know which video she means. Fantastic. But tonight? I laugh. Really laugh. “Yep, that’s me.”
She claps her hands, clearly thrilled. “You were hilarious! I loved that you didn’t take any crap from that guy. What a jerk. I can’t stand a cheater.”
“It was a giant mistake on his part.” I turn to find my mother standing beside me, holding her shoulders high. “He’s lucky she didn’t do worse, I’m telling you.”
“Right?” the woman agrees, nodding along with my mother. I’m left standing here with my head rocking between the two of them, wondering who took over my mother’s body.
“Thanks,” I say, nudging my mother with my elbow as she grins and nudges me back. Maybe it’s the Halloween spirit. Or the candy. Probably the candy.
The little crew waves goodbye and I’m just about to close the door when the doorbell rings again. I pull it open, braced for another gaggle of trick-or-treaters, but instead, I’m greeted by…Fred Astaire?
Well, okay, notFred Astaire. But the man on my porch is certainly dressed for the part, and boy does he look good: a black tuxedo, polished shoes, and a top hat, too. Asher stands there, looking like he’s about to burst into a tap routine.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, the laughter bubbling out of me before I can stop it.
He gives me a roguish grin as he does a shuffle. “I’m looking for my Ginger Rogers.”
I blink at him. “I don’t even know where to start with that.”
Before he can respond, I hear the familiar voices of my mom and Murray coming from the living room. They step into the hallway, my mom’s face alight with mischief.
“Oh, he’s perfect!” she says, clasping her hands together as if this is the culmination of some great plan. “Asher, you have outdone yourself.”
I narrow my eyes on her. “What’s going on?”
Murray chuckles, slipping an arm around her shoulders. “Mary-Ellen has been waiting for this moment all night.”
Cue my confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Mom points toward the staircase, practically vibrating with excitement. “Go upstairs. There’s a dress on your bed.”
“A dress?” I echo, glancing between the three of them. “Why is there a dress on my bed?”
Asher shrugs, looking far too amused. “Maybe it’s for your big dance number.”
I glare at him, but the curiosity is too much to resist. With one last suspicious glance at my mom, I climb the stairs and open the door to my childhood bedroom. On the bed lies a stunning vintage-inspired gown—all flowing fabric and delicate beading. It’s the kind of dress Ginger Rogers would’ve definitely worn while twirling around a ballroom.
I can hear their voices drifting up the stairs. My mom’s excitement. Asher’s teasing laugh. And as much as I want to pretend this is all ridiculous, I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. I guess this version of Ginger Rogers has some shoes to fill.
When I come back downstairs, the room falls silent. My mom clasps her hands together like she’s about to burst with pride. Murray lets out a low whistle, and Asher…well, Asher just stares. For once, the man doesn’t have a witty comeback ready.
“You look incredible,” Mom says, her voice filled with awe.
“Really,” Murray agrees, giving me a warm smile. “It’s like the movies.”
I squint Asher’s way. “I told you, no grand gestures.”
He shrugs and starts to open his mouth, only my mother butts in. “It’s not a grand gesture. It’s Halloween.”
Before I can reply, the doorbell rings again. Mom bustles over to answer it, revealing a lone trick-or-treater. She doesn’t hesitate, grabbing the candy bowl and dumping the entire contents into the kid’s bag.
“We’re closed for the night!” she declares, shutting the door with a flourish and flipping off the porch light. She turns to Murray and grins. “Time for us to make our exit.”
“Wait, what?” I ask, completely baffled. There is no way that woman should have parted with both Twizzlers and Snickers like that. “What is going on?”
Mom gives me a knowing look and pats my hand. “Sometimes it takes a mother meddling to make magic happen.”
Before I can protest, Murray steers her toward the door and winks. She turns back just long enough to wave and say, “Have fun, sweetheart!”
