Page 18 of Be Our Ghost
“Nope. I was into it. Like you, I was rooting for them.”
During the show’s second season, he’d come up with that storyline to reflect his own relationship with Lila, who’d played the princess. He’d fought hard for it, convincing their showrunner the romance would resonate with their viewers. He’d been right. The love story had been a huge fan favorite. Given that his departure from the show had coincided with the start of the fourth season, he wasn’t surprised when the romance took a sharp turn. The woodsman had perished, and the princess ended up pursuing a different love interest—a morally gray character who embodied a darker side of the show’s fantasy world.
“You shipped Finn and Princess Elodie?” Charlie asked.
“Absolutely. I was all in.”
He expected her to be pleased they shared the same opinion. But in the blink of an eye, her expression darkened. He drew away, bewildered by the angry look on her face.
She glared at him. “So, you haven’talwayshated romance?”
“I don’t hate it.”
“Sure didn’t seem like it last Valentine’s Day. You called romance a crock.”
“No, I didn’t.” Even as he said it, he remembered complaining about all the shit Preston had asked them to do, just to promote the holiday. He’d insisted they make the hotel the most “romance-forward” destination in Victoria.
“You totally did.” Her voice rose in irritation. “You hated mixing all those love-themed drinks, and you said Valentine’s was nothing but a Hallmark holiday.”
“Itisa Hallmark holiday.”
He was surprised at how agitated she’d gotten. Why did she care if he had a cynical view of romance? Or was this about those spicy books he’d seen in her room? Did she think he was criticizing her choice of reading material?
“Just so we’re clear,” he said. “I wasn’t implying there’s anything wrong with reading romance novels. If they make you happy, then I’m glad you enjoy them.”
She glowered at him, her entire body rigid, her hands clenched into tight fists. “I’m not talking about books. I’m talking about real life. About letting yourself be open to romance.”
Where was she going with this? “I didn’t meanallromance is a crock. It’s just not for me.”
“But…” She wiped her eyes. “Don’t you think you’re depriving yourself of happiness?”
Fuck, were those tears? “Charlie…are you crying? What’s wrong?”
She sniffed. “It’s just my allergies. This place is so fucking dusty.”
That, more than anything, told him she was truly upset. Charlie hardly ever swore. She’d once admitted she couldn’t risk getting into the habit, given her customer-facing role at the hotel.
He wished he could tell her the truth.Yes, I once believed in love. How else could I have created a storyline that centered around a tumultuous, opposites-attract romance? But when that princess shattered my heart, I never wanted to go through that again.
After a minute of awkward silence, she spoke up. “Sorry for getting upset. I…just hate that you’re denying yourself a chance for a happy ending.”
“Even though you haven’t gotten yours? No offense, but Randolph didn’t sound like a knight in shining armor. More like the evil Fae King that Princess Elodie ended up with.”
That made her laugh. “I couldn’t stand him. The Fae King, I mean. Though Randolph wasn’t much better. But I’m still holding out hope.”
He squeezed her hand, wishing he shared her optimism. She was looking at him so intently that he got caught up in her gaze. More than anything, he wanted to kiss her. To tell her he was willing to open his heart to her, just a little, to see where it led. With his free hand, he drew his thumb across her cheek and wiped away a stray tear. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For bringing you up here without thinking it through. Here you are, worried about ghosts, and I got you locked in a room where we can’t even call for help.”
She let out a shuddering breath. “I…I don’t mind getting locked up with you.”
“No?” He leaned toward her and brushed a wisp of hair from her cheek. Cupping her chin, he tilted her head up and drew nearer until their lips were almost touching. Just a whisper away, so close that he could?—
A sharp click sent prickles along the back of his neck. The key clattered onto the floor.
He pulled away from her and leapt to his feet. “Did you see that?”
