Page 49 of Ghosted

Lucien pulls me in close before wrapping his arms around my waist. “You’re the only one I have eyes for. Besides, I’m over one hundred years old, why would anyone look twice at me?”

“You don’t look a day over ninety-nine,” I tease.

“Take her advice. Nowadays, students will try anything to get an A,” Eli says as he enters the living room with Jayce on his heels.

“Want me to drive you to your first day?” I ask, ignoring the other two.

“Ah, Raven, he’s a big boy. Let him drive himself,” Jayce pipes in. After spending enough time with Eli, he’s learning his own brand of sarcasm.

“I wasn’t asking you, but I know you’re right. I guess I can’t keep him locked up anymore.” I sigh. Something about sending him out into the world is terrifying for me. We’ve had our small pocket of peace. I don’t know that I’m ready for it all to change again. But he didn't come back just to hide.

Jayce walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me, snuggling up to my back.

“Oh, a Raven sandwich, I think I’ll like a slice of that,” Eli says with an eyebrow wiggle.

“Seriously? That was cheesy even for you,” I huff. “You better get going, Lucien, you don’t want to be late.”

“I think I have time for one more kiss.” He smiles before leaning in.

His lips are light on mine, it’s torture when he steps back. “Have a great day in your new office. I’m so proud of you three for using your gifts to help people.”

“The money from the book I wrote helped, but who knew that helping ghosts crossover was a good business move?” Jayce says, unwrapping himself from me.

“Did you really have to title itFeeling the Dead? Makes you sound like some sick fuck,” Eli laughs.

“It’s a USA Today bestseller. So, I must have done something right,” Jayce shrugs.

“We can debate this later, we have an office to open and Lucien needs to get off to school,” I remind them. “What do we say when a co-worker asks where you’re from and why you transferred?”

I can’t count on my fingers how many times we’ve gone over this. It took Eli a few months to get the documents all in order so Lucien was the age he was when he died. He was nervous to apply for the history position and that the documents would be flagged as fakes but they weren’t. When he was asked why he had no work history he told the story we came up with. A twist on the truth. He was in a fire right before he started his first teaching job and had amnesia for years from it. They took him on his word and gave him the job on the spot.

Lucien does a little eye roll but replies. “I don’t really remember, I was in a fire and hit my head as I tried to save others in the building. And hope they don’t ask anymore questions after that.”

“Perfect,” I say, raising on my tiptoes to give him one last kiss. “Now get your cute ass out of here. I don’t need the Dean calling and asking where you are.”

“Good luck, at the grand opening of Grave Investigations. Sorry, I have to miss it,” Lucien says as he heads out the door.

“Okay, guys, let’s get to the office and do one more walk through. I want it to be perfect,” I tell Eli and Jayce.

“It was perfect at midnight when we left. If you really loved us, you’d let us sleep in,” Eli teases.

“How’d I get so lucky with you two?” I smile as I grab my bag and head to the door.

“Damn, she looks much better walking away than Lucien did,” Eli states with a little whistle.

“If you’re trying to calm my nerves, it’s working,” I call from the doorframe. “Now move your asses, or we will be late, too.”

I was nervous about turning our abilities into a full-time gig. Jayce and I do most of the leg work while Eli works for his father in the back office. It’s the perfect setup and I can even create my jewelry in the extra office on slow days. So, it is a win-win.

It’s just a quick walk from our new apartment to the office. There’s a little chill in the autumn air but I don’t shiver. Instead, I take a deep breath to ground myself. My nerves are on edge as we round the corner. My jaw drops when I realize there’s already a line in front of the office.

“Do that many people really have a ghost problem?” I ask as I slow my steps.

“We’ll find out soon, but let's go in the back just to skip the crowd for now,” Eli suggests as we head into the alley.

I sigh in relief that there aren’t any people lurking here. We’re all still a bit edgy in a crowd. Our abilities are easier to figure out but no less intense. Crowds only add to that.

“At least they aren’t lining up around the building,” I state as I glance back at my guys. Even I can hear the tremble in my voice.

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