Page 75 of Ghost

Why was I suddenly thinking about this topic?

“It’s okay, Miles.” I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. “I don’t have to watch if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“What?” Miles’ gaze snapped back to my own. “No,” he protested. “That’s not it at all.”

And he was shy too, how precious.

“It’s alright,” I repeated, petting his arm. “I will drink coffee until Damen comes for me.”

“No.” He was frowning. “That is a long wait. I was stupid for not suggesting it earlier. I’ll come get you. Or maybe I should skip practice entirely.”

“Don’t skip practice.” That wasn’t good, he couldn’t lose his scholarship in his senior year. That would be terrible, all those polar bears would die. And it would be my fault. “Miles…”

“I’ll come get you.” Miles’ serious eyes held mine. “Wait for me, and I’ll always come for you. I don’t care if you watch me practice.”

Well, that was nonsensical. It was statistically impossible for him toalwayscome and get me. “You can’t—”

“I will always come for you.” He grabbed onto my hands, his words were different… This was no longer about practice, but was a promise.

My face heated, and even with the autumn air, the jacket was too warm. I had to do something before I spontaneously burst. It was impossible to breathe under his intense look; I could hardly think. Somehow, I stuttered a statement of gratitude.

It must have sufficed. Miles handed me my bag and left without another word.

But I was left as confused as ever.

Damen was flirtatious, that was blatantly obvious. And Julian and Titus also had a way of sweeping me off my feet. I thought it was their personalities.

However, now Miles too…

I was beginning to suspect that there wasnoway these boys weren’t aware of what they were doing to me. And I couldn’t stop my reactions.

Which meant only one of two things. They seriously wanted to be my friend, but were testing me to make sure I was loyal. Or they had lied about not being able to get involved in a relationship, and they were all hitting on me.

I wasn’t certain which would be worse.

“Miss Brosnan?” A shaky, feminine voice begged for my attention, breaking through my concentration.

I glanced up, noting Ms. Protean was standing beside my small table. I had been so engrossed in my novel I hadn’t even noticed.

Considering our last meeting, and knowing what I knew now, the way she disliked Damen caused my wariness to come out in full force. She was something paranormal, I was certain. What it might be, I wasn’t sure.

But then again, she was old and harmless. She was even a professor. Dr. Stephens was more frightening than this woman. The reminder made me relax slightly. “Hello, Ms. Protean.”

“I’m very sorry about Sunday.” Ms. Protean said, hobbling forward a few more steps, as if she wanted to keep the conversation between the two of us secret. The movement caused me to take notice of the environment—and the lack of other patrons. Besides a long-haired Asian guy, who stared at me in a disturbing manner since I’d arrived, there was no one else around.

She leaned over her cane, closer to me. “Do you have a moment? I have information on Aine’s home that you might find useful. And if not useful, then at least helpful for your own curiosity.”

“Oh?” I sat up, intrigued. She had said something similar before Damen chased her away. “Would you like to sit?” I asked, gesturing toward the empty chair across from me.

She eyed the chair for a moment before replying. “No. I’d rather go to my office. It’s not so far.”

Something about her tone unnerved me, and my mind raced with theories.

I wanted to talk. But to be alone with her—and the cat that could kill a person—was entirely different. And Miles… I had promised him I’d wait here. I still had an hour, but what if I didn’t make it back in time?

I could text him, but he might skip class. That would be bad.

I tried to come up with a reason, any reason, why I’d be stuck here. I doubted she’d believe I was glued to the seat. She’d have a solution to that anyway—grandmothers could fix anything.