Page 79 of Haunted Ever After

Told you. That lemon cake has always been a winner.

Nick was impressed at Elmer’s restraint. He started to respond when the door chimed again. Nick looked up to see Cassie stroll in like she owned the place. Which, hell. She could ask him and he’d turn over the keys in a second. Along with anything else that would keep that smile on her face.

“Iced hazelnut?” She hoisted her laptop bag in illustration, and Nick’s heart fell.

“You’re kidding me. What happened?” Her laptop woes had been solved last night, hadn’t they? Was C.S back? Had they gone through all of that for nothing?

But Cassie’s eyes danced. “Nothing. I guess I got used to working here. Something about the ambience.” She strolled up to the counter, dragging a finger across the surface between them. “Plus, between you and me, there’s this guy who works here. He spends a lot of time texting on his phone?”

Nick nodded, not quite trusting his voice.

“Anyway…” Cassie came around to his side of the counter. This close, she dropped her voice to a low murmur. “Don’t tell him, but I think he’s kinda hot.”

“Oh yeah?” Her T-shirt was thin cotton, and he could feel the heat of her skin under his palm as he smoothed his hand around the curve of her waist. Now that he knew what that skin looked like, tasted like, keeping his hands to himself was a special kind of torture. He dipped his head, brushing his lips against her temple, her cheek, before whispering in her ear. “If it helps, I have it on good authority that he has a thing for you too.”

Cassie gave a happy sigh of relief. “That’s good news.”

“So you don’t just love me for my Wi-Fi?” He was teasing, but his voice came out low, thick. His hand slid around to the small of her back, and God he loved the way she fit against him.

She shook her head, and a lock of hair fell out of her messy bun to brush against her cheek. When she spoke, her voice was low and intimate. The exact opposite of teasing. “I love you for so many reasons.”

He groaned, letting his forehead rest against hers. “Cassie,” he whispered in the heartbeat before his lips touched hers, “I love you too.”

“Ugh. Get a room, you two.” Nick had been so absorbed in Cassie that he hadn’t heard the door chime, but when he reluctantly pulled away from Cassie there was Ramon, standing just inside the door with his arms crossed. He tried to look stern, but his crooked grin gave him away.

Cassie had the grace to blush, but Nick wasn’t going to apologize. “Don’t you have lunch prep to get started?”

“Sure do.” Ramon shook his head as he came behind the counter, slipping past the two of them. “It’s about damn time, by the way.”

Cassie slid her arms around Nick, cuddling herself close and laying her cheek on his chest. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“Just keep it out of my kitchen,” he said as he pushed on the swinging door. “That shit’s unsanitary.”

•••

Cassie was the last to leave Hallowed Grounds, packing up her laptop a little before two, just as Nick was counting down the register and saying goodbye to Ramon.

“Any plans tonight?” He kept his voice casual as he finished up the closing paperwork.

Cassie shrugged as she slung her bag over her shoulder and met him at the register. “A couple things to finish up this afternoon, then I’m free as a bird.” She gave a satisfied hum as she lifted her head to kiss him. “You wanna come by tonight?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” One more kiss, on her mouth and then on her forehead.

“Feel free to pack a bag. I think Sarah likes having you around.”

Cassie’s grin fueled his own. “I think your roommate’s as much a pervert as Elmer is.”

Nick was still grinning when he locked up the place and jogged up the back steps to his apartment. His afternoon shower was more leisurely, and he took the time to throw a change of clothes into a duffel bag. He stopped short in the kitchen, dropping the bag on his kitchen table.

“Ah, shit, Elmer.” He moved to the coffee maker, which had sat neglected now for over twenty-four hours. “I haven’t made you any coffee, man. I’m sorry.” He spooned in a half pot’s worth. He was undercaffeinated today; he could certainly use it.

Within minutes the coffee was burbling and Elmer’s familiar cold chill had seeped into the room. Likewise, Elmer’s voice seeped into Nick’s brain. Been a while since you’ve been out all night. Good for you! You and your girl finally make it happen?

“Gross.” Nick poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down on his couch. The battered leather recliner shifted in the afternoon sunlight that leaked through the half-closed blinds. “But it turned out Sarah Hawkins wasn’t a mean old lady. You were right.”

I’m always right.

Nick kept talking, like he hadn’t been interrupted by a ghostly voice in his head. “Her husband was there too, and he was the mean one.” He took a sip from his mug. “He’s gone now, and Cassie’s house is hers again. Well, hers and Sarah’s. I think Mrs. H is sticking around. They seem to be friends.”

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