Page 54 of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
“I don’t need it,” Lucky said, looking at Maverick. She failed him last night, but she’d make it up to him withShortcake. “When do we leave?”
“Soon. Georgia is finalizing the last few details as we speak,” Maverick said, standing up. “I should get going. Rebel already called twice.” He nodded toward the door, giving her a look.
“I’ll walk you out,” she said smoothly.
“I should get going too,” Stephen said. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this…off. It really does feel like there’s something digging around in my head.”
“I’ll walk you both out. Xander?”
“We need to go over yourShortcakecontract. It’s ready.”
“Oh. I’ll be right back, then.”
Outside a heatwave had landed with the full force of a flaming meteorite. Lucky squinted through her sunglasses, which were barely enough to block out the blistering light. She began sweating almost instantly, growing more uncomfortable with each step toward Maverick’s car.
“Bye, Stephen,” she called after him. “Thank you!”
He waved before hopping in his car.
“Hennessee’s air-conditioning is unmatched. I didn’t even realize it was this hot out here.”
“Probably the best money can buy.” Maverick laughed. He shielded his eyes with his hand. “It doesn’t usually get this hot. Once-in-a-lifetime freak event and all that.”
“That’s what they say. Every time it happens like we forgot about the first time.”
“Right.” He nodded. “So, I probably won’t see you again until we leave.”
“I figured,” she said with a sigh. “How’syourhead?”
“Not as bad as Stephen, but also not great. It could honestly just be one of my normal headaches. I can’t tell.”
“I’m really sorry I didn’t stay awake. I don’t know what happened.”
“You said, ‘I think I’m tired,’ and then closed your eyes. That was it. I’ve never seen anyone fall asleep that fast. Not even Rebel when she was younger.”
“Interesting.”
“That’s not the word I would use,” he said. “I think the house made you fall asleep.”
“I think so too,” she admitted. Because if the house wanted him to sleep and he clearly stated she was the only thing keeping him awake…but she didn’t dare hypothesize out loud. The experiment was a success, but Maverick had obviously reached his limits with Hennessee. “I guess that means you won’t be coming back to visit.”
“No,” he said. “I will. Just…not in the evening or at night. And I’ll probably stick to outside, here or the backyard, to be safe. If I did fall asleep, I don’t want to risk the house showing me anything.”
“I understand. You’ll still call me?”
“Same time?”
“Both of them, please. Don’t forget about sunrise,” she said softly. “If that’s okay?”
“Whenever you want.” He grinned and said, “I’d hug you but I think Xander might be watching.”
Challenge accepted, she hugged him anyway. “If he says anything about it, I’ll offer him one too.”
“Be careful,” he whispered, lips pressed near her ear. “Be safe.”
Lucky remained in the driveway until Maverick’s car turned the corner. After heading back in, she found Xander in the kitchen making a sandwich. He asked, “Do you want one?”
“Sure.” She leaned against the doorframe. “How kind. How generous. Can I ask you a question?”
