Page 50 of Going Deep
“Technically,” Lola said and looked at Ginger. “Why is she freaking out?”
Ginger shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t you two know who the Killingsworths are?” Anna demanded.
“They’re the people who run the Killingsworth Foundation?” Ginger ventured.
“Which gives away half a billion dollars a year.”
“Half a billion dollars?” Ginger repeated, stunned.
“Ho-lee shit.” Anna pointed. “You’re dating a billionaire.”
“Half a billionaire,” Lola corrected.
“We’re not dating,” Ginger said faintly, still reeling from half a billion dollars.
“What are you, then?” Anna wanted to know.
“I’m not sure, but it’s definitely not dating.” Ginger got up and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed the wine off the counter, yanked the cork free and drank straight from the bottle.
Lola exchanged a look with Anna. “Ah, something wrong?”
“What could be wrong? I just found out the guy I’m fucking could buy the Cubs with pocket change.”
“Pocket change is about what they’re worth,” Anna muttered.
“Anna.”
“What? It’s halfway through August, and they’re nine and a half games back,” Anna pointed out.
“Not the point.” Lola rose from the sofa and crossed to the counter. “Does the money bother you?”
“No?” Ginger drank again. “I don’t think.”
“Then why are you chugging chardonnay like it’s pledge week?”
Ginger lowered the bottle. “What do I have in common with a guy who can afford to give away half a billion dollars?”
“Sex?” Anna ventured.
“Kink?” Lola offered.
“Ha,” Ginger said and burped. “I scrounge for change in my car to buy a pop at the drive-through, and he’s got half a billion dollars.”
“It’s more family money than his,” Lola offered.
“And they put it to good use,” Anna added. “Flint’s just one of the pies they have their fingers in. They gave a fat chunk to the National Network of Abortion Funds last year.”
Ginger paused with the bottle halfway to her mouth. “Really?”
Anna nodded. “They partner with charities that work to provide affordable housing, wipe out school lunch debt. They sponsor several educational initiatives, everything from early childhood development up through college.”
Ginger set the bottle down. “That’s good, I guess.”
“You guess?” Lola asked.
“It is good,” Ginger corrected herself. “But Jesus, half a billion dollars?”
