Page 68 of Starrily

And whatever forced Callie to delete their existence from her life still made her uncomfortable now.

“Callie,” he said, and she finally looked at him. “If you don’t want to see them, you don’t have to do this.”

“But you need help, and I don’t know what else to do.”

“We’ll figure it out. You’ll get new ideas. These things don’t happen in a day.”

“That’s the point.” She tried raising her voice, but it broke in the middle of the sentence. “Research takes years, Simon. Even if I get an idea today, it could be too late before … before you …”

Before he went full ghost? Simon gulped. Dying was horrible—but it would be even worse to slowly turn invisible and remain here but be unable to do anything. Talk to anyone.Live.

“Then give me their phone number, and I’ll call them. I don’t have to mention you. I’ll say I heard about them from a friend.”

“It won’t work through the phone. Not a video call, either.” She took a deep breath. “It’s fine. We’ll go see them. Fly in, they fix you, fly out, problem solved in three days.”

“You believe they can do that?”

“I … it’s the only thing I have left.”

There it was again—the evading. Something her family had done, possibly connected to this ghost-talking, had hurt her. Deeply. “I’ll go alone,” he said.

“You can’t. If something happens …”

“I’ll take Stan.”

“And explain to him you’re turning into a ghost?”

Good point. Stan had been a great employee and a good friend. It’d be a shame if he quit because he thought his boss went crazy.

“All right,” he said. “We go together.”

Callie nodded, as if reassuring herself.

“That being said,” he continued, “because of my issue, taking a plane might not be the wisest option. In case I, you know, go full ghost.”

“Right.” She sat down. “That would be a problem.”

“I’m all for jumping off planes. Fading through them—not so much,” he said to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, Callie remained serious. “I suppose we can drive?”

“All the way to Louisiana?”

“Lou—ah. Okay.” He sat next to her. “It’ll take a little longer than I thought …”

“Three or four days, with stops.”

“Hmm.” He scratched his chin. “Anyone said road trip?”

“Simon, this is serious.”

“I know. I’m the one who occasionally loses a body part, remember?” He waited until she looked at him, and smiled. “But it doesn’t mean I have to act like I’m going to my funeral.” He clapped his knees. “Come, Phoenix. It’s gonna be all right. I’ll take care of everything—the car, the supplies …”

“I’ll have to take Theia with us. We’ll be gone for at least a week, possibly two. Ava will unfriend me if I even mention the possibility of her taking care of Theia.”

“I don’t mind.” Theia had been a great comfort to her in times of stress. Callie might need her when she faced her family again. “Then it’s all settled. I’ll take care of my business, you take care of yours, and we leave the day after tomorrow?”

Callie nodded. Even in the not-so-sizeable office, she suddenly looked small and fragile. Simon yearned to console her—to hug her and tell her all would be well because he’d never let her go—but instead, he only covered her hands with his. It’s been such a hectic time he could barely believe it had only been a week since the night at the observatory. They hadn’t said one word about the kiss.

Sort yourself out first. Then you can think about your relationship.