Page 65 of His Haunted Desire

“Do you want to say hello to Grandma?” she asks quietly.

“Sure.”

Though bonding with her family will not make separating any easier.

We go upstairs together, and a young woman greets us, short with a bob of red hair.

“Ellie–this is Raiden. Raiden, Ellie.”

I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Ellie’s my friend. She’s been taking care of Grandma. Raiden is…” Aurora trails off as if she has no clue how to finish the sentence.

“I’m thinking of investing in the shop,” I say.

Ellie nods, smiles tightly. “Nice to meet you.”

She knows about the deal if the way she’s looking at me is any indication.

“Thanks for doing this.” Aurora hugs her friend. “I can take it from here.”

Once Ellie is gone, we step into the living room. Her grandmother is sleeping soundly, one side of her face drooping slightly.

“I don’t think I should wake her,” Aurora whispers.

“Another time, perhaps,” I say instinctively.

Aurora looks at me like I’m a ghost.

“Or another life,” I growl, walking back down the stairs.

In the back of the shop, we stand awkwardly looking at each other, surrounded by her masterpieces, Halloween costumes, suits, and gowns, all the work of an expert.

I offer her my hand to shake. “You did a good job. Grandma bought it. I think everyone else did too. It was good working together.”

She shakes my hand, squeezing tightly. “Yeah–it was, uh, interesting.”

I go to pull my hand away, but she holds it tightly.

“I’ll transfer the money into your account,” I say. “The reference will beadvising fee. If you need to explain to the taxman, tell him I needed your expert advice on the Retreat’s outfits.”

“Okay,” she says, still not letting go of my hand.

“What are you doing?” I growl. “Trying to head fuck me some more?”

She finally lets go, her breath shuddering.

“You’re the queen of mixed signals,” I tell her.

She doesn’t even try to deny it.

“Are you forgetting what you said on the island? This is the end, remember?”

“I know. I remember,” she finicky says.

“You still feel the same.”

“This has to be the end,” she says. “I’ve got college, a life. So have you.”