Page 55 of Need You To Choose Me

And right into a skeleton.

Only this one is alive.

Bloodshot eyes meet mine as the person lifts his arms as if he’s going to grab me, just as a piercing sound spreads through the room, followed by children’s laughter and rushing footsteps.

“Holy fucking shi—” I turn around and collide with a firm, warm chest. One I recognize immediately, so I burrow my head into the soft cotton and inhale his spicy scent. My heart is beating wildly inside my rib cage, the sound echoing inside my ears as I try to calm down.

“I’ve gotcha,” Blake murmurs, strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me closer. I could still see the grotesque face and the almost maniacal look in the skeleton’s eyes.

“Is it gone?” I whisper softly, my fingers digging into Blake’s shirt.

“He’s gone.” Blake smooths his hand up and down my back in gentle strokes. “You’re safe.”

I did feel safe.

Now that Blake’s arms were around me, I could feel my muscles relax, if only slightly. My heartbeat was calming down, matching the steady rhythm of his heart.

It was crazy. I barely knew the man. And yet, being with him, I felt safer than anywhere else.

“You sure?”

Blake lets out a muffled sound, his chest shaking. “I’m sure, Blondie.”

No, not his chest, his whole body.

I pull back, so I can look at him, only to find him fighting laughter.

He was laughing.

At me.

I slip out of his arms, irritation building inside me. “You’re the worst!”

“What?” Blake asks, his face is all innocent.

But he can try that on somebody else. Maybe they’ll believe him.

“You’re laughing at me!”

He doesn’t even try to deny it.

“You said you’re not afraid of a haunted house.”

“I’m not!” I jab him in the chest. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”

“Mm-hmm…” The corner of his mouth twitches upward. “Or maybe you just wanted to snuggle with me. It’s okay, Blondie, I don’t mind.”

“Snuggle—” My mouth falls open, which only makes him chuckle harder.

The annoying, obnoxious, infuriating man.

That’s what he was.

Pressing my lips together, I shake my head. “You know what? Whatever. Think what you will.”

“Blondie, don?—”

With one final glare at him, I spin around and march for the exit.

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