Page 81

Blake took my cheeks in his hands and brought his mouth to mine. The kiss was so tender; so soft and perfect, I nearly cried again. But I didn’t. I fell into it, allowing myself to go to that soft, open place. Might as well do the last night together right.

When Blake pulled away, I kept my eyes closed for the briefest second, relishing the memory of it on my lips. Then I opened my eyes and smiled at Blake.

Outside in the lobby, someone went running by, their shoes squeaking, and I heard the soft rumble of a bellhop pushing a luggage cart. “Actually,” I said, “I hate to say it, but it would be good if we did what we came here to do today.” The sounds of daily life at the hotel had reminded me that I wouldn’t have time to reschedule this tour. At the end of last week, I’d called off the people who’d been filling in for various aspects of my job, planning on getting back to my regular routine. It had been so I’d have an excuse to see less of Blake and Lila, only making room for the official meetings. Now I was glad I had, as keeping busy would probably be the only thing keeping me afloat after Blake left.

“As you wish, Cass. I was looking forward to this too.”

“So it wasn’t just me you wanted to see?”

He shrugged. “You were a nice bonus.”

I fake-shoved him, laughing. It felt both good and tragic to laugh, but I vowed right at that moment not to let the sadness take over. Not today.

“Should we start upstairs?” Blake asked. “Work our way down?”

Just then, there was a soft thud from down in the shadowy hall.

Both of us froze.

“What the hell?” Blake said.

“Room 114!” I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper.

Blake looked at me, confused.

What do I say, the ghost? Eleanor?

I pointed to the space way down at the end of the hall. “The boarded-up room.”

Blake’s eyes went wide, but only for a moment. He remembered the story.

“Stay here.” He made like he was going to investigate on his own.

“No way!” I whispered. “This is my hotel.”

Blake frowned, but grabbed my hand, locking his fingers with mine. “Then stay with me.”

Those were the words I’d wanted to say earlier. I would have laughed if I wasn’t nearly shaking with concern about the sound we’d heard.

“It was nothing, right?” I squeezed Blake’s hand, grateful for its broad, warm grasp, and not caring in the least about being tough.

“I’m sure it was no—”

But another bang came now, louder than before. I startled, letting out a little yip. Then, embarrassed at my reaction, I reached down and picked up a short stub of 2x4, grasping it in one hand like a bat.

Blake, though alert, raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“It’s something! What are you going to do, punch them out?”

Blake looked at me with an expression that saidduh.

A moment later, we were at the space where Room 114 would have been. It was then I noticed a hole in the wall, about as big as a football.

“That wasn’t there the last time I was in here,” I whispered.

We tiptoed toward it. My heart was ramming against my ribcage so hard I was sure I was going to alert whoever—whatever—was inside.

“I’m going to look inside,” Blake said.