Page 76 of The Exception

“Like a ghost didn’t want to get caught?” Adam laughed into a bite of muffin. “That makes no sense, Dani. Ghosts want to scare you. It’s their whole purpose.”

“That’s true,” Cat said. She handed Lucia to Josh and adjusted her shirt. “They want to get your attention. To deal with their unfinished business.”

Really? Sonya was itching to delve into the fact that her friends apparently believed in the paranormal, but their ridiculousness was saving her ass right now.

Dylan nodded like he was contemplating new evidence. “Thing is, it had already been banging around all night. Bang, bang, bang—right on the wall behind us.”

Dani choked on her juice.

Sonya’s neck burned with the heat of a thousand suns. She studied her friends’ faces one by one, trying to get a read on the room. Where they busted or was everyone still interested in Dylan’s campfire tale?

Cat and Josh chatted with each other, both seemingly oblivious to theI will kill you and your boyfriendlook Sonya was giving Dani. Adam was back to his breakfast, haunting forgotten.

ButEmma. Her face scrunched curiously, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

They locked eyes and Sonya swallowed. Beside her, Trav shifted in his seat, knocking her chair with his elbow as he raked a hand through his hair. She recognized that habit after weeks of riding his ass at work. It meant guilty as all hell.

He shot her a sideways look, cheeks pink, but his smile was unbothered.

Son of a…

“Well, ghosts aside, it was still a great trip,” Emma said. She stood to gather the coffee carafe, walking it to the sink. She served Sonya a private look. “I’m sure we’ll all be talking about it for a very long time.”

* * *

The ride home was long and quiet, everyone exhausted from a weekend of full-body sports, but Trav was wired with anticipation. Last night had been amazing, and then the morning had been awkward, but not in a bad way. At least he didn’t think so.

They’d obviously been found out, but no one seemed to be surprised. Of course tomorrow at work might be more weird, but they’d obviously talk before then. Right?

God, he felt a little like he was waiting for her to check yes or no on a note he’d slipped her in class.

“I’ll just walk you to your door,” Sonya said when they finally pulled up to Trav’s condo.

He grinned. “How chivalrous.”

She shot him a look and slipped out of the car.

“It was great to meet you,” he said to Dylan and Dani. “Thanks again for letting me tag along.”

Dylan slapped his palm and winked. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing you. Just remember what I said.”

“What did you say?” Dani asked, her eyes darting between them.

“Don’t worry, Dani-pie. Just a little man to man.”

Trav grabbed his bag from the back and Sonya fell into step with him on the concrete walkway.

“So,” he said when they reached his door.

“So.” Her smile was soft, timid. She reached up to twist a braid between her fingers, glancing over her shoulder at the SUV.

Trav was fully aware that they had an audience, but the desire to kiss her again burned in his chest. And if she was anywhere near the same page as he was about this, Dylan and Dani were going to find out sooner or later so… “Sonya, I—”

“I’ll call you,” she said at the same time.

His stomach sank with a flash of self-consciousness. Maybe they weren’t on the same page. “Okay. We should talk before my shift Tuesday.”

“Yes. We will. It won’t take me long to drop them at Dani’s, then…”

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