Page 41 of Ghosted

“Do you know why Stella is attached to you?” Jayce asks abruptly.

“Don't mind him, he’s not so good at keeping his mind on one conversation at a time,” Eli laughs as I blink at his friend.

“She’s just crazy, I don’t know of any reason other than that,” I admit. “I’d spoken to her father about it but it was always another excuse. He was blinded by love.”

“Women are nuts.” Eli says with a shrug. “Her more than most.”

“I heard that,” Raven calls from the other room.

“Good, you can tell Wolf here I’m not lying.”

Raven grunts and the three of us laugh.

"What do you have planned for Stella?” I need to keep them on track and I’m quickly realizing that will be a full time job.

Jayce’s eyes light up at my question, as if he was waiting for someone to ask.

“Here’s a sandwich. I’m going to raid Jayce’s closet while he fills you in,” Eli says before disappearing down the hall.

There are plenty of problems to figure out, like how I have no real identity anymore, no documentation, no job, but all of that will have to wait while we deal with Stella. Otherwise, my second life will be shorter than the first.

* * *

Raven

The guys toldme to rest but the moment they leave me alone, I hurry to my desk. My beadwork can be tedious but it helps me clear my head, and right now I need that in spades. Ever since the accident, I’ve had brain fog holding me back, but the moment Lucien materialized, it lifted. I can think more clearly now and it shows; in no time I have a necklace complete.

“That’s beautiful, Rav,” Eli says from behind me. I was so busy staring at it reflecting the light that I didn’t hear him come in.

“Thanks, it was nice to complete it so fast. I think I’ll make a ring to match. Do you think earrings and a bracelet will be too over the top?”

“Since when did you doubt yourself? I don’t know anything about this stuff, if you think it’s a good idea then I say do it.”

I lean back into him. “How’d I get so lucky to have you?”

“I think we are the lucky ones,” he answers. In a rare soft moment, he leans down and places a kiss on my head.

“I am pretty great, aren’t I?”

Eli wraps his arms around me, “You are.”

“Are you really okay with Lucien? I mean, you were good with Jayce but is another guy gonna be too many dicks in this relationship?”

“Oh my God, did you really just say that?” He laughs. “Baby girl, if you’re happy then I’m happy. I know you aren’t replacing me, we each have something you need from us. Just don’t make it a habit of bringing in strays.”

My heart warms at his easy acceptance. They’d told me we couldn't doubt fate when I brought up how I felt about him, but then it wasn’t a reality. Even now, here Eli is, reassuring me and joking, not doubting me for a second.

Needing to look at him properly, I set the necklace down and stand to face him, placing my palm on his cheek. “I told you I was the lucky one.”

I pull him in until our lips meet and we kiss. His kisses start soft and sweet but when I open my mouth to his, he deepens the kiss with a hunger that has me letting out a soft whimper.

“Eww, gross. You two need to get a room,” Jayce complains as he comes back into the room.

This breaks our lips apart, but we’re still holding on to one another as we glance over at him.

“Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Walker,” Eli teases.

“Lucien has eaten all the leftovers and is asking for more. I can make a grocery run but I wanted to see if there was anything Raven wanted.”

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